PROVO, Utah — No. 19 BYU women's volleyball concludes non-conference play this week with three matches against in-state opponents.
The Cougars (4-3, 0-0 Big 12) look to snap a three-game skid on Wednesday night against Utah State before visiting Weber State on Friday and hosting Utah Valley on Saturday.
| Week 4 Match Information | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | Date | Time | Stream | Live Stats |
| No. 19 BYU vs. Utah State | Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 6 p.m. MDT | ESPN+ | Stat Broadcast |
| No. 19 BYU @ Weber State | Friday, Sept. 20 | 6 p.m. MDT | ESPN+ | Sidearm Stats |
| No. 19 BYU vs. Utah Valley | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 6 p.m. MDT | ESPN+ | Stat Broadcast |
BYU's last three matches have all been five-set losses, its longest losing streak since dropping three-straight to No. 10 Pitt, at No. 5 Georgia Tech and No. 8 Ohio State back in 2022. The Cougars have not lost four-consecutive matches during head coach Heather Olmstead's 10-year tenure.
Three five set matches are also the most five-setters that BYU has played in since the 2019 season, when it had four five set matches.
The Cougars dropped two spots from No. 17 to No. 19 in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll, marking 170-straight polls that BYU has been ranked in the Top 25. It is the first time in Olmstead's 10 seasons that BYU hasn't been ranked inside the top-18.
Falling in five at San Diego before a 3-2 loss to No. 12 Oregon, the Cougars went 0-2 last week, hitting just .180 as a team between the two matches after leading the nation with a .357 clip.
Claire Little led the team with 39 kills on the week, and was joined by Blaykli Bobik (22 kills), Brielle Kemavor (17 kills), Mia Lee (15 kills) and Elli Mortensen (12 kills) with double-digit kills. Lee (.407) and Kemavor (.351) were the only BYU hitters to finish with clips of .300 or better.
Alex Bower recorded 99 assists across the pair of matches, and also tallied a team-high three service aces. Kemavor's 12 total kills, including three solo, were team highs. Bobik also added five block assists.
Lulu Uluave (32 digs), Bower (24), Hannah Billeter (21), Little (20) and Mortensen each finished with double-digit digs on the week. Bower and Little both recorded double-doubles at San Diego, Bower's fourth and Little's first of the season.
As a team, the Cougars are now hitting .288, which ranks No. 13 nationally. They're 2.31 blocks per set rank 89th. Little is No. 40 with 4.14 kills per set, and No. 42 with 4.66 points per set. Bower ranks 50th, averaging 9.93 assists per set.
Kicking off its in-state slate to wrap up non-conference play, BYU looks to get back on track before opening up Big 12 play next week.
Utah State (2-6, 0-0 MWC)
- The Aggies won their season opener against Green Bay in five sets and then dropped six-straight matches before beating Ohio in five on Saturday.
- Head coach Rob Neilson is in his fifth season in Logan, posting a 75-43 (.636) record since 2020-21.
- BYU leads the all-time series, 53-15. The Cougars are also 26-4 against the Aggies in Provo.
Weber State (3-5, 0-0 Big Sky)
- The Wildcats have wins over Utah Tech, Saint Louis and at Missouri State, but are also coming off a two-point five-set loss, dropping a 15-13 final frame to UT Arlington.
- Head coach Jeremiah Larsen is 155-113 (.578) in his 10th season with Weber State.
- BYU leads the all-time series, 64-0. The Cougars are 27-0 against the Wildcats in Ogden.
Utah Valley (7-2, 0-0 WAC)
- The Wolverines have a three-game win streak and four-game win streak to start the 2024 season.
- In his 22nd year as head coach with UVU, Sam Atoa is 350-272 (.563).
- BYU leads the all-time series, 20-0. The Cougars are 12-0 against the Wolverines in Provo.
Following their trio of in-state matches, the Cougars will begin Big 12 play at home with Colorado on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. MDT.