PROVO, Utah — BYU women's volleyball concludes its regular season slate with matches at Kansas and Kansas State this week.
| Week 14 Game Information | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Date | Time | Stream | Live Stats |
| Kansas | Wednesday, Nov. 27 | 6:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+ | Stat Broadcast |
| Kansas State | Friday, Nov. 29 | 6:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+ | Stat Broadcast |
The Cougars (17-9, 10-6 Big 12) dropped out of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25 poll this week, marking the first time in BYU head coach Heather Olmstead's 10-year tenure that the Cougars have not been ranked.
Dating back to Oct. 7, 2013, BYU had been inside the Top 25 for 180-consecutive polls. The last time the Cougars were not ranked was week six of the 2013 campaign, on September 30, 2013.
BYU split its final two home matches at the Smith Fieldhouse last week, dropping a five-set heartbreaker to Cincinnati before sweeping West Virginia on senior day.
The Cougars' loss to the Bearcats on Thursday night marked their seventh in five sets this season, with six of those losses coming by two points. BYU led by as many as three in the final frame on Thursday, including at 11-8, but came up short in the end.
Hitting .383 on Saturday afternoon, the Cougars had four hitters with individual hitting clips of .455 or better: Kate Prior (.727), Claire Little (.667), Kjersti Strong (.462) and Brielle Kemavor (.455) en route to their senior day sweep.
Kemavor led BYU and the Big 12 with 18 total blocks on the week. She posted a double-double in the Cougars' match against Cincinnati, recording 14 kills and 11 blocks.
Her third double-double of the season, Kemavor tied BYU's rally scoring era record for the most double-doubles by a middle blocker in a single season and career.
As a team, the Cougars continue to lead the league in total blocks (260.5), but now sitting behind Kansas for second-most blocks per set (2.55). BYU ranks No. 31 nationally in team hitting percentage (.262) and No. 33 in blocks per set.
Ranking No. 11 and No. 12, respectively, Kemavor remains atop the conference in both blocks per set (1.46) and total blocks (.149). Hannah Billeter is second in the Big 12 with 38 service aces.
Heading to Lawrence for the first time since 2006, the Cougars will visit the Wildcats for the third time in the last two seasons, after playing in the Little Apple twice in 2023.
No. 11 Kansas (23-3, 14-2 Big 12)
- The Jayhawks are on a three-match win streak and are 12-1 at home this season, with their lone loss to then-No. 9 Creighton in straight sets.
- In his 27th season with KU, head coach Ray Bechard is 494-311 (.614) both in Lawrence and in his career.
- BYU leads the all-time series, 3-2, but has lost the last two meetings between the two teams, including a four-set loss on senior night in Provo last year.
Kansas State (10-15, 8-8 Big 12)
- The Wildcats will visit Colorado in Boulder before hosting BYU on Black Friday.
- Head coach Jason Mansfield is in year two at K-State. He has a 26-26 (.500) record in Manhattan and in his career.
- The all-time series is tied, 3-3, with KSU sweeping both matchups last year on Oct. 26-27.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the Cougars will await the NCAA Selection Show, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. MST on ESPN, for their postseason placement.