PROVO -- BYU will put its perfect record on the line this week, traveling to Idaho State before coming back home to take on instate rival Utah State. At 3-0, the Cougars, listed No. 28 in the latest national poll, are hoping to continue their winning ways and break into the Top 25.
"I look forward to this week's schedule," said BYU Head Coach Jason Watson. "Idaho State is a big test for us and a great opportunity for some of our athletes to play in front of family and friends. Utah State is always a challenge for our team. Their team is competitive and plays with a great deal of passion. As we continue to improve and refine our systems, both matches will serve as indicators of our progress."
The Cougars will take on Idaho State Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Pocatello, Idaho. The Bengals are 1-3 on the year including a three-game loss to Utah. Utah State will come calling on Saturday at 7 p.m., marking the second match ever played on newly dubbed Elaine Michaelis Court. The Aggies have started 2005 4-2. Live stats for both matches can be found by logging onto the schedule page of the BYU women's volleyball homepage at www.byucougars.com/volleyball_w.
Three Cougars will be making a homecoming of sorts when BYU travels to take on the Bengals. Sophomore libero Annie Kemp is actually from Pocatello while junior middle blocker Lindsy Hartsock is from Inkom, Idaho and freshman middle blocker Ashton Hansen is from Idaho Falls, Idaho, both of which are short distances away.
BYU is coming off a fantastic weekend in which the Cougars continued to overpower their opponents, notching two wins to move to a perfect 3-0 on the season. BYU swept Montana State (30-21, 30-20, 30-28) in the first match of the BYU/UVSC Invitational before earning a victory over No. 34 Kansas (30-27, 28-30, 30-22, 30-28).
Junior middle blocker Lindsy Hartsock dominated both matches, hitting .540 for the week and recording a career-high 20 kills against the Jayhawks. She earned Mountain West Conference Player of the Week recognition for her performance. Redshirt freshman Rachel Dyer also had an impressive week as she posted double-digit kills in both matches while hitting.468. Senior setter Lauren Richards averaged 1.86 blocks per game including a season-high nine vs. Kansas. Sophomores Annie Kemp and Erica Lott also shined for the Cougars as they each recorded career highs of 16 and 10 digs, respectively, against Kansas.