PROVO, Utah — No. 11 BYU women's volleyball will welcome two ranked opponents to the Smith Fieldhouse this week, hosting No. 25 Colorado and No. 8 Arizona State.
Winners of 12 straight, the Cougars (15-1, 7-0 Big 12) will face the Buffaloes on Thursday and the Sun Devils on Saturday.
| Week 9 Opponent Information | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Date | Time | Stream | Live Stats |
| No. 25 Colorado | Thursday, Oct. 22 | 6:30 p.m. MDT | ESPN+ | StatBroadcast |
| No. 8 Arizona State | Saturday, Oct. 24 | 6:30 p.m. MDT | ESPN+ | StatBroadcast |
BYU has climbed three spots in each of the last two AVCA polls, moving from No. 17 to No. 14 and now No. 11. It is the Cougars' highest ranking since Week 10 of 2023, when they were No. 8.
To go along with an RPI of 12, second highest in the Big 12, BYU also received a No. 9 ranking in the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Committee's Top 16 reveal on Sunday.
The Cougars earned their fourth and fifth straight sweeps at Utah and Arizona last week, hitting .303 while holding the Utes and Wildcats to a .182 clip.
Elli Mortensen led BYU with 30 kills, hitting .338. Kate Prior (11 kills, .323), Kelli Jo Burgess (10 kills, .375) and Brooke Hardy (10 kills, .300) also hit .300 or better.
Mortensen and Claire Little Chambers both recorded double-doubles in Tucson, the first time they have done so in the same match this season. Mortensen tied career highs with 19 kills and 14 digs.
Setter Alex Bower (6.83 assists per set) and Kaylie Kofe (6.0) each averaged at least six assists per set as BYU tallied 16.5 kills per set across six sets.
Mortensen (20), Lulu Po’uha (19), Little Chambers (15), Kofe (14) and Bower (10) all reached double figures in digs for the week. Burgess finished with a team-high nine blocks, including the 50th solo block of her career.
BYU ranks fourth nationally in hitting percentage (.310), 11th in assists per set (13.18), 13th in kills per set (14.09) and 16th in blocks per set (2.8).
The Cougars lead the Big 12 in hitting percentage, rank second in blocks per set, third in assists per set and fourth in kills per set.
Burgess leads the nation in blocks per set (1.87). She also leads the Big 12 and ranks 12th nationally with 101 total blocks. Hardy’s .395 season hitting percentage ranks second in the conference and 33rd nationally.
After facing No. 2 Pittsburgh and No. 17 Baylor in Provo, the Cougars will host their third and fourth ranked opponents of the season at the Smith Fieldhouse this week.
No. 25 Colorado (13-4, 4-3 Big 12)
- The Buffaloes had a single-game week last week, sweeping Iowa State in Ames.
- CU's three losses in Big 12 play have come to Utah, at TCU and at Arizona State.
- Head coach Jesse Mahoney is in his 11th season in Boulder. He is 177-139 at Colorado and 357-218 (.621) in his 19-year career.
- BYU leads the all-time series, 9-2. The two teams split last season's slate, with both teams winning four-set matches on the road.
No. 8 Arizona State (15-3, 6-1 Big 12)
- The Sun Devils visit Utah in Salt Lake City before coming down to Provo for Saturday night's matchup.
- ASU's lone loss in conference was in five sets at West Virginia to open Big 12 play.
- JJ Van Niel is in his fourth season as head coach in Tempe. He is 101-17 (.856) since 2023.
- BYU leads the all-time series, 21-9. The Sun Devils have won the last five matchups dating back to 2023.
Up Next
The Cougars will have just one match next week, hosting Utah on Friday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. MT on ESPN+.