College Sports

All about BYU Woman’s Volleyball

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All about BYU Woman’s Volleyball

The women’s volleyball team has always been good, they have made appearances in 32 of the 39 NCAA Women’s volleyball tournaments. There’s been a women’s volleyball team at BYU for 52 years. There have been 6 coaches and tons of players. BYU’s most recent season was awesome just like many before it. BYU received the No. 16 seed at the beginning of the season. They opened the 2020 NCAA tournament by beating UCLA. They finished among the top teams and won the West Coast Conference title. They ended the season winning 17-2 and a No. 15 seed. 

 

Last Seasons Best

Every season BYU has amazing players and this season was no different. Their top blocker Kennedy Eschenberg is an American middle blocker. She ended the season with No. 6 in the NCAA division. She had an average of 1.58 blocks per set and a .435 hitting percentage. Kennedy got 135 kills and led the team with 82 blocks. Their top setter, Whitney Bower was named the WCC player and setter of the year. Whitney ended the season with 676 assists, 221 digs, 48 kills, 28 blocks, and 22 aces. Their top outside hitter, Ballard Nixon was a key contributor to the cougar’s success. She got 239 kills, 133 digs, 15 aces, and 38 blocks. Their coach for the 2020-2021 season Olmstead was WCC coach of the year and the AVCA Pacific South Region Coach of the Year. She holds the highest winning percentage of any women’s volleyball coach. She reached 100 wins in 101 games. 

This Season

BYU’s 2021-2022 season has been just as good as the many others. There team consists of 19 players, Taylen Ballard, Heather Gneiting, Morgan Bower, Kenzie Koerber, Bri Albright, Zanya Meyer, Whitney Bower,

 Taylen Hifo, Alyssa Montoya, Erin Livingston, Abbey Dayton, Kate Grimmer, Aria Mccomber, Elyse Stowell, Madi

 Allen, Whitney Llarenas, Sophia Callahan, Kennedy Eschenburg, and Gretchen Reinert. BYU is ranked a No. 11 seed. In their most recent game, they beat Saint Marys, winning every set. Koerber led the team with 16 kills, and the middle blockers Eschenberg and Gneiting both got 8 as well. Their next game is on the 30 against Saint Clara. Their next home game will be on October 7 against Portland. BYU hopes to continue winning and hopefully earn a higher seed.

 

Volleyball History

BYU has been keeping a record on women’s volleyball for 50 years, from then to 2018 they have won 1,281 games. The BYU Cougars first made it to the NCAA Sweet 16 1981 and since then have returned 31 times. BYU’s women’s volleyball team was the first volleyball team to be in the NCAA final four in 1993. They have had 2 players move on and play in the Olympics. Charlene Johnsen after playing for BYU went to the Utah Predators out of college as the starting setter. She played 2 years of professional volleyball in Switzerland and Italy. She competed in the 2000 Olympics and after that served as the assistant coach in Nebraska. Mary Lake played for BYU as a libero, and she is set to go to the 2020 summer Olympics. Mary Lake was named the 2019-20 West Coast Conference female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She was also named WCC Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-WCC First Team. She started every game and led the team to a No. 1 ranking. When she was a freshman she broke the school record with 546 digs. And this summer Marly Lake is just one of the 2 liberos on the U.S national volleyball team. 

 

 

Sources: https://universe.byu.edu/2019/10/07/50-facts-for-50-years-of-making-womens-volleyball-history/

 

https://byucougars.com/home/w-volleyball

 

http://www.seniorclassaward.com/athletes/mary_lake/

 

https://byucougars.com/roster/w-volleyball/2021

History Of LaVell Edwards Stadium

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History Of LaVell Edwards Stadium

LaVell Edwards Stadium is the pinnacle of BYU athletics, and maybe even Provo. LaVell Edwards Stadium has gone through ups and downs, building changes, and even name changes.

 

1960’s

LaVell Edwards Stadium, formerly known as Cougar Stadium, was built/opened on October 2nd, 1964. The stadium was a massive upgrade from the small, 5,000 seat stadium with the same name, to a 28,000 seat stadium. Cougar stadium was soon upgraded to be able to hold 35,000 spectators, then soon changed up to 45,000 and was stuck at that number for many years. Including the football field, a track surrounding the field was later removed.

 

1970’s

In the stadium itself, not much happened to the seating amount, look, or name. The only main change was the Cougars’ team itself who only got better in the standings.

 

1980’s

In the ’80s, the changes to the stadium were much more impactful than any other decade, except for the upgrade to the new stadium. In 82’ The stadium went under MANY wanted, and big changes such as adding stands to the north and south end zones, lowering the field eight feet, and removing the track surrounding the field (home to the 1967 and 1975 NCAA Track and Field Championships). The stadium expansion increased the seating amount to over 65,000. The crowd of 64,253 that gathered for BYU’s first game in the expanded stadium on September 25, 1982, was reported at the time as “the largest gathering ever in Utah history.” Not to mention the cougar’s national championship win, and winning the first Holiday Bowl.

 

1990’s

The Cougars “Cougar Stadium” went through no changes, similar to the 70’s decade.

 

2000s-2020s

 

The stadium was renamed with the retirement of BYU LEGENDARY head football coach LaVell Edwards after the 2000 season. In 2003, BYU added a luxury “Club Seating” area to the east stands, taking the capacity of Edwards Stadium to 64,045. In 2010 and 2011 BYU created additional wheelchair access inside the stadium, which reduced the overall capacity to 63,725 in 2010 and 63,470 in 2011. 

 

The Cougars Field

The field itself is one of the most iconic pieces of BYU history. The field held miracles, comebacks, fans rushing the field, and upsets. The field itself is well kept and is covered with a sand-based natural turf capable of draining eight inches of rain per hour. The well-kept grass field is consistently deemed one of the best in the country and constantly had a nice paint job. The field has gone through a few color and design changes but has stayed mostly static throughout its history.

 

Extra Additions 

The Stadium has had many extra little additions such as the Cougar room and the Video Scoreboard

 

The Cougar Club Room, which is a common meeting place for Cougar Club members, is located in LaVell Edwards Stadium, near the northwest side of the stadium, The room is used for pre and post-game activities as well as for meetings and banquets during the year.

The video board has gone through 3 major changes, The introduction of the scoreboard, the revamp in 2012, and a new remodel in 2021 which is still being worked on. The two scoreboards are located along the north and south endzones, with thinner, and longer video boards along the east, north, and south sides.

 

The Press Box

The LaVell Edwards Stadium press box has been named the “Provo Marriott” by the media who cover BYU football. Rising over 10 stories high, the four-level press box is located on the west side of the stadium and runs the entire length of the stands. The little area is visible from inside, and outside the stadium.

In 1982, 1988, and 1997 the Football Writers Association of America cited BYU for its “outstanding press box working area.”

Levels one and two of the press box contain 42 private lodges, each one equipped with 12 padded chairs, a television, radio, telephone, refrigerator, sink, and game programs. The BYU President’s Box, which includes 163 padded chairs, five television sets, and a buffet area, is also located on the first floor.

Level three is reserved for the print and electronic media along with all the game operators. The statistics, public address, sound, and scoreboard controls are all located on the third level. Approximately 300 people work on the third level during games. Level four is primarily used for television game filming.

 

Other Events

Other than the BYU football games held there, LaVell Edwards Stadium is occasionally home to the “Stadium Of Fire” a fourth of July event.

Sources: BYU Cougars facility

 

BYU’s 6-2 Start, Season looking good

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BYU’s 6-2 Start, Season looking good

BYU has had so much momentum walking into the first game of the 2021/2022 season. Coming off of an 11-1 season with the beloved Zach Wilson, the team knew they had to keep up the play, and sure enough, they put up a show.

 

First Few Games

BYU vs. ARIZONA

Walking into Agilent Stadium on Sep. 4, 2021, the crowds were energetic. BYU and Arizona faced off against each other in Allegiant Stadium, for the Las Vegas kickoff classic. On the tickets, the game was an Arizona home game, but according to the crowds, it looked more like a BYU home game. (And Arizona University is closer, by a whole hour!) The ratio of BYU fans to Arizona fans in the stands was most likely 7-1. 7/9 of the crowd was BYU, and that most likely helped them into this season opener.

 

The game started off slow, with 0 points being scored in the first quarter, and not much happening. But the game had only just begun, and some scoring started to commence. BYU out-scored a quick 14-3 second quarter, and all the momentum was on BYU going into the second half. The third quarter was an Arizona show, scoring 10 points to BYU’s 7, putting the scoreboard to 21-13. The fourth quarter was hectic, with the ball just going back and forth and not much scoring was actually happening. A field goal by Arizona and BYU sent Arizona home, empty-handed, and the final score 24-16, BYU.

 

Arizona’s Quarter-Back, Gunner Cruz, led both teams in passing yards, with 336 to Jaren Halls (BYU) 198. Tyler Allgeier led both teams in rushing, running in a solid 94 yards, and A touchdown.

 

BYU vs. UTAH

Ah yes, the BYU vs. Utah rivalry game. Every time these two teams face-off, it’s the game of the day. LaVell Edwards Stadium was ROCKING on 9/11, and so much respect was sent to the fallen soldiers of the worst day in Manhattan. The BYU cougars had not beaten Utah in 9 whole years, and it was time.

 

The game itself started off almost just as slow as the Arizona game with BYU posting a small, but good 3-0 lead on Utah out of the first quarter. Utah’s offense already had 2 turnovers in a matter of 3 possessions. The second quarter just gave BYU more and more momentum as it went on, and BYU posted a strong 13-7 outscore, and the score being 16-7 at halftime. The second half brought more momentum, and BYU, having only one touchdown, had the Utes down 23-7 ending the third quarter. The fourth quarter was the Utes game, and all that momentum that BYU had built up, was crushed. A quick 10 points from Utah put the game at 23- 17, with just a few minutes remaining. BYU marched down the field, nearly scoring a touchdown, but got held to a field goal. That kicker, Jake Oldroyd DRILLED right down the middle and held the lead to 9. Utah needed to take the ball all the way down the field, score, then score again after receiving an onsides kick. But BYU didn’t even give them a chance, and stopped the Utes on fourth down, securing the victory for BYU for the first time in 9 games. 

 

BYU’s Jaren Hall barely led both teams in passing yards, posting in 149, just two ahead of Utah’s Charlie Brewer. The Utes Running back, Micha Bernard, rushed an amazing 146 yards, easily beating out Tyler Allgeier. 

 

BYU vs. ARIZONA STATE

LaVell Edwards Stadium and the Cougars were hoping for a win and having two consecutive wins against Ap-Ranked teams for the first time in franchise history. It was just bound to happen.

 

The game started off quick with a startling fumble from Arizona State on the kickoff return, that BYU immediately scored off of it with a strong Tyler Allgeier. But the fame didn’t last long, and with a perfect throw to Andre Johnson, from Arizona State’s QB, Jayden Daniels for a 58-yard reception. Arizona State quickly followed with a rushing touchdown and tied the game up only 3:50 into the game. The rest of the first quarter was slow, and not much happened. The second quarter started, and Arizona State was just ramming their way down the field. But a great defended pass and big hit lead to a BYU interception. The game was already starting to look like the Utah game with 2 turnovers already on ASU. The cougars quickly get the ball back and march down, with a quick play from their own 14 to their own 45. Another great pass and a trick play double pitch lead to a BYU 34 yard Touchdown reception. After a 3-and-out on ASU’s possession, it led to a 40 yard Gunner Romney reception. Shortly after, BYU’s Jaren Hall throws a perfect 15-yard Touchdown reception by Isaac Rex with 4:40 left on the clock. The rest of the quarter was a cougars interception, but no luck on the next possession with Jaren Hall throwing an interception with 16 seconds left. The Cougars walked into the half up 21-7.

 

Starting the second half, a quick BYU 3-and-out led to an ASU touchdown only 5 minutes into the half, leaving the score at 21-14. Another BYU punt later, The Sun devils march their way down the field, making people miss, and scoring a solid field goal making the score now 21-17 BYU cougars still up. The cougars make their way down the field and throw an interception on the 25-yard line. But the hustle didn’t stop, and BYU’s Tyler Allgeier chased down the runner and popped the ball out and BYU recovered the ball on their own 13. Two turnovers in one play, and basically a loss of 70 for BYU. BYU with the ball back marched back down the field, but a sack on 3rd down led to a BYU punt inside the 3. ASU started their diver and got immediately stopped, causing a punt. BYU marches back down the field and brings it down to the 5, but Jaren Hall goes down, and Baylor Romney steps in. The ball snapped and Balor slips, recovers, and throws a dime to Tight End-Issac Rex for a BYU touchdown. This basically seals the game, and BYU wins 27-17.

 

ASU’s QB Jayden Daniels led both teams in yards, stacking in 265 to BYU’s Jaren Hall’s 214. 

 

Players to watch for

Jaren Hall (Quarterback), Tyler Allgeier (Running Back), Ryan Rehkow (Punter)

BYU Basketball, what’s gone on so far this Season

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BYU Basketball, what’s gone on so far this Season

        BYU basketball has had a pretty dang good start to their season so far.  Starting 5:1 is pretty dang good.  With the leading role that BYU’s point guard Alex Barcello has taken on.  They are shaping up to be a pretty good team this year.  They have won five games so far which is pretty good. They did lose by quite a bit though to USC, but USC has a very good basketball program.  They are doing pretty good this year for just losing a lot of their most vital players.

BYU basketball this year is shaping up to be a pretty good team.  They have their point guard Alex Barcello, who is not afraid to take charge of things when BYU needs it the most.  They also have a new player, Kaleb Lohner, who has been playing extremely well. He has just barely been playing in these last few games, he is playing extremely well. In his last game, he hit 3 out of his 4 threes he took.  He is just playing great for how inexperienced he is.  In Alex Barcellos’s last game too, he had 23 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.  Barcello has been able to step up and really make things happen when they need to.  In their last game against Utah State, there was a great pass to him which led BYU to go on a scoring run.  Alex Barcello and Kaleb Lohner are really two important players for BYU’s roster.

       BYU basketball also lost quite a few very important players this year but are still playing great without them.  They lost one of their star players, Gavin Baxter, due to an injury he suffered in one of their first games.  They thought it might be just a small injury he could recover from, but it turned out to be a season-ending torn ACL.  This was not good for BYU basketball. Luckily they have had lots of players that have really picked up their games and done well.  BYU has not just lost Gavin Baxter though,  they lost a lot of their all-star players last year as seniors.  They lost Jake Toolson who got drafted into the NBA by the Utah Jazz.  They also lost a lot of other seniors that led a very important role for BYU basketball.  Even though BYU has lost a lot of people, they are still playing great and are on their way for a great season.

 

BYU Football everything Important

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BYU Football everything Important

 

BYU Football Everything important

 

        BYU football has been playing phenomenology so far this year.  With their blowout win against Western Kentucky last week. That win still proves that BYU football is still playing great this season.  It may not have been Zac Wilson’s stand out game, but he and BYU football still played great against Western Kentucky.  Kalani Sitake said, “My favorite part about that game was probably when we stopped them on the one-yard line 4 plays in a row.”  Many of the players were asked what their favorite part of that game was and a lot of them said that.  They said it was just one of those moments where you are just so excited that you made the play.  The win over Western Kentucky state was still a fun one even though it was a blowout.

 

With BYU football-playing so well there is no surprise that their rank is going to be pretty good.  This week with their win against Western Kentucky. They moved up to number 9 in both the coaches poll and the AP top 25.  That is very important and good for the BYU football program they have not been ranked that high for a long, long time.  Being in the top 10 for college football is just very and important.  Hopefully when they get this next win against Boise that will hopefully help them move up in the ranking even more.  All we can do is hope that BYU will keep thriving in the BYU college football rankings.

 

BYU this week is going up against supposedly the hardest game they are going to have this season.  Boise State this upcoming Boise game is going to be a deciding game for BYU football if they lose this game it will hurt them.  When they win though they will probably be even better off than they were before.  Boise is going to be a hard game for BYU football.  Especially with this short week, they had this week. With this short week because of the game being on Friday, it is at even more of a disadvantage.  Also making a short week shorter the players got a day off on election day.  Even though will all of this happening though BYU is still confident they are going to beat Boise State.  BYU still has the advantage of having played 7 games and winning them all.  While in the mean, time Boise State has played two and won both.  Although they have done that while playing two games neither of the teams they played were good teams.  BYU has the advantage I think all we can do though is hope BYU plays a good game and wins it.

 

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