PROVO, Utah — No. 24 BYU women's volleyball heads to Orlando and Houston this week in its second-to-last Big 12 road trip this season.
The Cougars (14-8, 7-5 Big 12) will look to get back in the win column as they face UCF on Thursday night and Houston on Saturday afternoon.
| Week 12 Game Information | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Date | Time | Stream | Live Stats |
| UCF | Thursday, Nov. 14 | 7 p.m. EST | ESPN+ | Stat Broadcast |
| Houston | Saturday, Nov. 16 | 2 p.m. CST | ESPN+ | Stat Broadcast |
BYU dropped three spots from No. 21 to No. 24 in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll, marking 179-straight polls that the Cougars have been ranked in the Top 25. All 10 of head coach Heather Olmstead's seasons have been spent inside the Top 25.
The Cougars dropped their lone match last week, a sweep at the hands of then-No. 23 Utah. BYU was out-hit by the Utes, .294 to .103, and recorded less kills (39-31), assists (34-29), aces (11-2) and blocks (9-3) than Utah in the defeat.
Elli Mortensen finished with a team-high 10 kills, but hit just .075 on the night. Kate Prior had five kills on a team-leading .362 clip, while Addie Benson, Kjersti Strong and Brielle Kemavor each added four.
Alex Bower was a dig shy of her 10th double-double this season, posting 23 assists and nine digs. Lulu Uluave recorded 15 digs, a team-high, and Kemavor had two blocks.
The Cougars' season hitting percentage dropped to .261 after the loss in Salt Lake City, which ranks fourth in the Big 12 and No. 31 in the country. BYU leads the league in total blocks (215.5) and is second in blocks per set (2.48).
Kemavor continues to pace the conference in the same metrics, with 118 total blocks and 1.36 blocks per set, which is good for No. 24 nationally. She also ranks 40th nationwide in total blocks.
Returning to Orlando for the second-consecutive season, the Cougars make their first trip to Houston as members of the Big 12 this week.
UCF (8-13, 1-11 Big 12)
- The Knights have lost nine-straight matches, with their lone win in conference against West Virginia during the second week of Big 12 play.
- Jenny Maruer is in year two at UCF. She is 25-25 (.500) in Orlando, and 107-197 (.352) in her career.
- BYU leads the all-time series, 4-0. The Cougars swept both matches against the Knights last season, played on back-to-back nights in Orlando, on Nov. 9-10.
Houston (11-11, 6-6 Big 12)
- The Cougars of Houston play Utah on Thursday night before BYU comes to town on Saturday afternoon.
- Head coach David Rehr is in his sixth season at UH. He is 114-55 (.675) in Houston, and 262-135 (.660) in his career.
- BYU leads the all-time series, 7-5. The Cougars of Provo swept Houston in a nationally television match on Sept. 20 last season.
Returning home for its final two home matches of the regular season next week, BYU will host Cincinnati and West Virginia on Thursday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 23.