PROVO, Utah — After a road series against UC Irvine, the Cougars (5-1) moved up to No. 11 in this week’s AVCA coaches poll. BYU split the series 1-1 with No. 6 UC Irvine, defeating the Anteaters on Saturday, January 27 in a 3-2 upset win.
Teon Taylor won Off the Block National Middle Attacker of the Week and was also named MPSF player of the week. It was BYU’s first weekly conference honor since former Cougar Davide Gardini won Offensive Player of the Week on March 21, 2021.
BYU will face the No. 8 ranked Ball State Cardinals (4-2) in Indiana this week for a two-game matchup on Thursday and Saturday. Most recently, the Cougars hosted the Cardinals in the Smith Fieldhouse in 2021, splitting the series 1-1. The Cardinals have suffered two losses this season, but fell to the No. 1 team in the country Hawaii both times.
This is BYU's second week in-a-row facing another ranked opponent. BYU's No. 11 spot is its highest ranking since February 8, 2022.
Series Information
- Series Record: BYU leads 12-4
- Last Meeting: BYU lost 3-1 (25-23,19-25, 31-33, 20-25)
- Home: 9-1
- Away: 2-1
- Neutral: 1-2
Broadcast Information
- Thursday: 7 p.m. EST
- Saturday: 3 p.m. EST
- Streaming: ESPN+