PROVO, Utah — The BYU men's volleyball team will open its 2024 campaign by hosting a pair of matches against Ball State, starting on Friday, January 5 at 7 p.m. MST in the Smith Fieldhouse. Saturday's game will also be held at 7 p.m. MST.
“Ball State is a really big-time opener for us," said BYU head coach Shawn Olmstead. "We went on the road to their place last year and we split two matches. Their coach does a phenomenal job. We love playing in the Smith Fieldhouse and are looking forward to our first match of the year. Our fans are unreal. The venue is always packed with familiar faces."
THE COUGARS
BYU is 25-9 all-time in its home openers and 24-10 all-time in season-openers. The Cougars have won their home opener four times out of the last five years.
The Cougars bring back outside hitter Miks Ramanis who was named an honorable mention All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association in its 2023 awards. It was the sophomore’s first honor from the AVCA. Ramanis was also named First Team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in 2023. Middle blocker Gavin Julien was named All-MPSF Honorable Mention and Trent Moser was named to the 2023 MPSF All-Freshman Team. Both Julien and Moser return for the 2024 season.
The team finished with 1,220 kills, 1,157 assists, 117 aces, 786 digs and 259 blocks in 2023.
THE CARDINALS
Ball State’s 2023 campaign ended when the Cardinals fell 3-1 to rival Ohio State in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Championship match. As the top seed, the Cardinals (20-9) were looking to repeat their tournament success from the 2022 season that saw Ball State earn its first MIVA Tournament title in 20 years under then first-year head coach Donan Cruz. Ohio State then advanced to the Quarterfinals of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, falling to Penn State 3-1.
COUGARS VS. CARDINALS
The Cougars hold a 14-6 lead in the series over the Cardinals, dating back to their first-ever matchup in January of 1990. In the last meeting, Ball State won 3-1 on February 4, 2023 in Muncie, Indiana.
BROADCAST
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Friday, Jan. 5, at 7 p.m. MST in Smith Fieldhouse
- Saturday, Jan. 6, at 7 p.m. MST in Smith Fieldhouse