BYU hosts MPSF opponent Concordia University Irvine

BYU hosts MPSF opponent Concordia University IrvineBYU hosts MPSF opponent Concordia University Irvine

PROVO, Utah — BYU men’s volleyball returns to Provo to host Mountain Pacific Sports Federation foe Concordia University Irvine for two matches in the Smith Fieldhouse on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12.

BYU is coming off of two road losses last weekend to USC and is on a nine-match losing streak. UCI is coming off of a 2-1 performance at home last weekend, with two wins over Stanford.

The history between the Cougars and the Eagles dates back to 2017. Currently, BYU leads the all-time series 7-2 and is on a four-match winning streak against CUI.

Brigham Young University Cougars (5-11, 0-4 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation)

  • Last weekend, BYU faced USC in the Galen Center. The Trojans walked away with two victories (3-1, 3-0). The losses extend BYU’s losing streak to nine straight matches. This is BYU’s longest losing streak since losing 14 straight back in 1990.
  • Senior outside hitter Davide Gardini led the way offensively in the first game last weekend, putting down 18 kills on a .375 hitting percentage. Sophomore outside hitter Kupono Browne followed closely behind with 14 kills and a .333 clip.
  • Nationally, BYU ranks No. 18 in assists per set (11.22), No. 18 in kills per set (11.82), No. 23 in hitting percentage (.275) and No. 26 in team attacks per set (26.43).
  • Gardini ranks No. 13 in the NCAA in kills per set (3.75), No. 16 in points per set (4.31) and No. 21 in attacks per set (7.91).
  • Out of BYU’s 16 matches this season, head coach Shawn Olmstead has had 12 different starting lineups, as the Cougars continue to rebuild after losing five starters from last season.
  • The Cougars finished the 2021 season with a 20-4 record, its eighth MPSF conference championship title, a trip to the NCAA national championship game and a No. 2 national ranking.

Concordia University Irvine (8-5, 2-2 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation)

  • Last week, CUI posted two home victories against Stanford (3-2, 3-0). It was CUI’s first sweep over Stanford in program history. The Eagles finished their week with a Saturday match against UC Irvine, posting a five-set loss, 3-2.
  • Former Olympian Riley Salmon joined CUI as the head coach of the men's volleyball program in the summer of 2021.
  • Junior opposite hitter Uriel Batista ranks No. 14 nationally in attacks per set (8.10).
  • Freshman middle blocker Max McCullough ranks No. 15 nationally in blocks per set (1.030).
  • In the NCAA, the Eagles rank No. 7 in team attacks per set (27.80), No. 9 in blocks per set (2.455), No. 12 in digs per set (9.07), No. 17 in match winning percentage (.615) and No. 23 in assists per set (10.66).

BROADCAST INFORMATION – March 11

BROADCAST INFORMATION – March 12