PROVO -- After a disappointing week on the road, the BYU women’s volleyball team (12-12, 6-6) will host its last two home matches of the season with Wyoming (12-16, 2-11) on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Colorado State (20-4, 12-1) on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Smith Fieldhouse.
“Our team is ready to finish strong at home and to show our fans that we are a dynamic and talented team,” said BYU head coach Shay Goulding. “Our fans have been great and have just gotten better and better; surely they will play a big role in our home court advantage. We have made some big improvements offensively lately with some girls hitting for some high numbers.”
The last time BYU faced Wyoming the Cougars barely squeaked by in five sets, beating the Cowgirls 3-2.
“Wyoming's record this year is deceiving,” said Goulding. “They are actually a very persistent team that plays scrappy defense and runs a solid offense. I expect that Thursday's match will be an exciting one.”
Colorado State also beat the Cougars on its home court on Oct. 15, sweeping BYU in three sets.
“Colorado State will come into the Smith Fieldhouse this year with an impressive record, but the team is determined to defend their court and to win on Saturday,” said Goulding.
The last time out BYU lost to TCU for the second time this season on the road in three sets (25-12, 25-18, 25-18). Senior rightside hitter Kayla Walker led the Cougars in kills with eight, also tallying eight digs. Transfer Camilla Phillips chalked up seven kills hitting at .333 while Christina Measom tallied five blocks. Libero Melissa Lake Wright tallied a season-high 20 digs, also tying her career-high.
Last Saturday the Cougars took on the Lobos in Albuquerque, N.M. and were also taken down in three sets. Sophomore Christie Carpenter led the Cougars in kills with 14, hitting at .407 percent and chalking up six digs. Walker had 11 kills and six digs while freshman Nicole Warner had eight kills at .636 percent. Libero Morgan Lloyd Sorensen led the back row with nine digs.
“The biggest factor keeping us from success on the road last week was missing serves,” said Goulding. “We will make adjustments this week in practice with the intent of keeping us aggressive on the service line and confident enough to make crucial serves under the pressure of a match.”
Thursday’s match will be broadcast LIVE on BYU Radio and Saturday’s match will be broadcast LIVE on BYUTV.