Cougars return from international trip to Turkey, Spain and Portugal

PROVO, Utah — The BYU men’s volleyball team returned from a successful foreign tour after visiting countries Turkey, Spain and Portugal, playing six friendly matches against international opponents while abroad from May 7-18. The team was accompanied by coaches, staff members and administrators.

“Our foreign trip was a very meaningful experience for this program," said BYU head coach Shawn Olmstead. "We were able to participate in multiple friendly matches against great teams across three different countries. Every player on the team received the opportunity to gain valuable experience on the court in an international setting. To be representing BYU while connecting with and experiencing different cultures was the most valuable thing we took back home with us.”

Going 3-3 against their foreign competition, the Cougars defeated Fenerbahçe S.K. 3-1, Galatasaray U19 3-1, and Spanish JNT 3-1, falling to Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi 3-2, the Spanish JNT 3-1 and Lisbon-Belem 3-1.

Istanbul, Turkey

After flying out of Salt Lake City, the Cougars arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, beginning their trip with a tour of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, the Sultanahmet Mosque known as the "Blue Mosque", and the Topkapı Palace. The following day, the team had a private Bosphorus boat tour in the morning and visited the Fenerbahce Stadium & Museum in the evening.

BYU played three matches while in Turkey, facing Instanbul Kuyuksehir Belediyesi, Fenerbahçe S.K. and Galatasaray.

Madrid, Spain and Palencia, Spain

The team attended a local church service in the small town of Alcala de Henares, spending time with the local youth and children. Following church, the group visited the grounds of the Madrid Spain Temple. They also headed to the city center to explore Sol Gran Via and Plaza Mayor.

While in Spain, the Cougars also had a tour of the Real Madrid Stadium and spent time in the city of Palencia, facing the Spanish Junior National Team in back-to-back days, interacting with the team afterwards on its training campus and cafeteria.

Nazaré, Portugal and Lisbon, Portugal

The team bussed from Palencia, Spain to Nazaré, Portugal for sightseeing and shopping. The Cougars visited sites such as the Castelo de São Jorge and the Belem Castle. BYU faced Lisbon-Belem in the last match of its foreign trip on May 17.

The Cougars received a No. 7 national ranking in the final AVCA Coaches Poll following their 2024 campaign that concluded in April, going 16-9 and 7-5 in conference play. BYU also finished third in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, falling right behind the back-to-back National Champions of UCLA and the No. 2 GCU Lopes who finished as semifinalists in the 2024 NCAA Men's Volleyball Tournament.