Cougars at Portland

This afternoon most of Provo had their eyes on Oregon as two BYU teams faced off against opponents, the University of Portland, and Oregon State. Both return home next week with victories under their belts.

BYU Photo.

Christie lead the Cougar attack against the Pilots where they won in 4. 

Cougars at Malibu

Playing down in Malibu, the Cougars are still struggling to win in California. On October 8, the Cougars dropped a tough game to a tough team and crowd at Pepperdine.

BYU Photo.

Despite great effort by some players, the Cougars lost their second four set match, and second loss to a top 20 team.

Cougars v. Santa Clara

Back at home the Cougars dominated the Santa Clara Broncos in a 3 set sweep to bring up the Cougar spirit.

BYU Photo.

Although playing in front of a small crowd, someone planned a soccer match the same night, the Cougars delivered their awesome for the semi-pink fans gathered. (Some missed the memo for the change in Dig Pink date.)

Cougars at San Diego

For the first time in conference the Cougars fell short of perfection losing in 3 sets to the University of San Diego Toreros.

BYU photo.

Down in San Diego, the Cougars seemed to have left all of their talent in Provo. 

Cougars at Loyola Marymount

The Cougars went on the road to Loyola Marymount September 30, (I know I'm a little behind) and brought home the win in their very first 5 set match of the season.

BYU photo

All of the Cougars had a great night and many set exciting new records.

Cougars Sweep Gaels

In a Thursday night thriller the BYU Cougars took on their first WCC opponent St. Mary's College, and won.

Casey goes up against St. Mary's. BYU photo.

The Cougars found their revenge sweeping the Gaels 25-14, 25-17, 25-13, after the match earlier this season.

Understanding Stats

It has come to my attention that some people would like a quick run down of the stats sheet. For the most part all stats sheets look the same but I'll point out a couple of differences from the normal BYU. So here it is(from left to right):

Comeback for the Cougars

After letting last night's match slip through their hands the lady Cougars came back stronger than the football team for a four set win against the Matadors of Cal State Northridge, 25-15, 25-22, 16-25, 25-17.

Cougars celebrate their W. BYU photo.

Third Time's the Charm

On the road for the past five matches the Cougars couldn't put up a solid front to stop the Cal State Fullerton Titans from a 4 set win, 22-25, 22-25, 26-24, 23-25.

POW Jen Hamson put up a good effort Friday night.

Despite good play from some, the Cougars couldn't get three hitters in double kills and couldn't get their three sets.

Top Cat in Utah

With a win tonight in Logan, the BYU Cougars have faced and swept all three of their in-state opponents for the 2011 season, making them pretty much the best volleyball team in Utah, but you already knew that.

Nicole showed her stuff in tonight's match against USU.  BYU photo. 

The Cougars swept the Aggies in three tonight, 25-22, 25-21, 25-19 giving themselves a nine-match win streak.

Cougars take Crown

In the final match of the Utah Invitational the BYU Cougars swept in-state rival Utah under the rug in a decisive victory!

Me with the best cousin/roommate/hitter! And the trophy! ;) 

In my favorite match of the season so far the Lady Cougars laid the smack down on the Utah Utes in front of a packed house at the U of U. A three match sweep, 25-20, 25-17, 25-14, the Cougars brought home not only the Tournament Championship but also the Deseret First Duel Trophy.

Cougars Shut Down East. Michigan

In their second match of the Utah Invitational BYU shut down the team-to-beat Eastern Michigan in a 3-1 win.

From the SLC Tribune.

The previous night EM had defeated host Utah in 5, and looked to continue an 8-win streak, but only the Cougars could come out on top.

BYU sweeps over UC Riverside

In the opening match for Utah's Invitational the BYU Cougars swept the UC Riverside Highlanders under an ugly rug.

In a three match sweep the Cougars came on top, 25-20, 25-14, 25-16, in one of the most creative matches I've ever seen. 

Sister Rivals and a W

In a great showing of sisterly rivalry the BYU Cougars of Provo went up against the BYU Seasiders of Hawai'i last night in the Smith Fieldhouse in Provo. In a dominant three set sweep the Cougars showed their sisters how it's done.

Jen against St. Mary's. BYU photo.

Tourney Champs

And the Champions are...BYU!

THE team from BYU.

The Lady Cougars took first place in Varney's Kansas State Invitational Tournament! After handily defeating Idaho and Georgia Southern  on Friday, BYU went head to head against Kansas State on Saturday and came out on top.

BYU goes to Kansas in Winnning Style

Thursday the volleyball team headed out early to Varney's Kansas State Invitational at Kansas State in Manhattan, Kansas. 

Friday the volleyball team defeats both Idaho and Georgia Southern with style.

Saturday the volleyball team will probably defeat Kansas State and bring home a tournament victory, just sayin'.

Cougars Sweep Wildcats

On Tuesday the Cougars brought on another win at home! The beat the Weber State Wildcats in a three set thriller.

Jen goes up for a kill. BYU photo. 

The ladies came to win and did so in three sets, 25-14, 25-21, 28-26. 

Nike Invitational

In the last match of BYU's Nike Invitational BYU lost a hard fought battle to St. Mary's College.

Nicole hits against Illinois in the Nike Invitational. From BYU. 

The Gaels won in three with 25-21, 25-22, and a heartbreaking 31-29.

Cougars Put Down Gauchos

Cougars capture first win of season!

Jess goes up for a kill! BYU photo.

In their second game of the BYU Nike Invitational the Cougars took on the UCSB Gauchos and a win!

Taking on Illinois

Our volleyball Cougars fought a tough battle last night in their home season opener against #7/8 Illinois.

BYU photo.

Blue and Grey in the Fieldhouse

My favorite volleyball team played their first "official" match last night!!

Jen Hamson hits the floor for a save. From BYU.

Y Awards

BYU Cougar Club Presents the 2011 Y awards

Photo by David Hamson.

Last night nearly all of the BYU student athletes, their coaches, friends and family gathered in the Wilikinson Center's ballroom to celebrate BYU athletics and the Y awards. For more on the Y awards and all of the winners see here. The Women's Basketball and Volleyball teams had these nominees and winners. 

Cougars Spring into Action

Today BYU women's volleyball geared up and took on the U of  U, Montana St., Salt Lake Community College, and College of Southern Idaho, in a single day tournament at the U of U. 

BYU libero Kendalyn Hartsock.   BYU Photo/Kenny Crookston
Also, notice those good looking people in the background.

BYU swept SLCC in two sets, split with the U of U and CSI, while falling in close sets to Montana St. It was an exciting day with all players getting to touch the ball. The front row provided many great kills and key blocks. Great serving from many, including Kendalyn Hartsock, and a couple of aces from Jen, also pushed the Cougars on at critical moments. Actual serving also provided a nice contrast to Thursday's mens game. I look forward to watching this team push on to greatness in the fall. 

Farther In, Farther Up

As the calendar year progress Spring is in the air. With the season of Spring comes a sense of transition, for Jen, and me, this means transitioning from a fantastic basketball season, to what we hope will prove an even better volleyball season.

(BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)

Spring volleyball kicks off this Saturday with the team traveling to Utah for a friendly tournament. I can not wait to see our Cougars come together and show their stuff.

BYU shows Aggies how to play, again

As I have previously noted BYU women's basketball is sort of AWESOME. Their blowout game against Utah state this past weekend proved that, again. Because for most of the world 102-63 is a rather decisive win.

BYU Photo/Mark Philbrick

Rolling Through Denver

In the first round of the WNIT the Cougars put up an impressive 75-60 win over University of Denver to continue on to play Utah State in the second round. All around the ladies had a good game, and showed they are in it to win it.

BYU Photo/Mark Philbrick

To the Post...season

Before the WMC tournament, BYU decided to send its basketball players off. In essence this meant that they all showed up to be screamed at by 4,000 fans. Yet while 3,999 of them came to see the boys in their house shoes, I went for Morgan Bailey(41), Marie Beck(31), Mindy Bonham(22), Dayna Burgess(21), Jazmine Foreman(3), Coriann Fraughton(23), Haley Hall(33), Jennifer Hamson(5), Alexis Kaufusi(10), Kim Parker(4), Dani Peterson(32), Kristen Riley(35), Stephanie Rovetti(2), and Stephanie Vermunt(12). All in all this video was probably the highlight of the event.

Three's lead to Victory over Lobos

Tuesday, March 1st our Cougars took their winning game to New Mexico, showing the Lobos how to win in 65-49 victory. That night we played one of our best outside games ending with 6 players recording threes. But the defense also never let up.

BYU Photo/Mark Philbrick

Conference Champions

Following the Cougar 56-52 win over the SDSU Aztecs Saturday, we now own a share of the Conference Champion title, and are undefeated at home in conference play.

 WE ARE AWESOME! 

Need anything else be said?

From BYU

Treys Connect Over Colorado

In a great game against Colorado State University, in Colorado, the Cougar outside threes gave them the final push they needed for a 64-55 win.

BYU Photo/Mark Philbrick

Freshman Night vs TCU

In front of a near record crowd BYU's freshmen put forth a taste of years to come. Overall BYU beat TCU 70-60.

BYU Photo/Mark Philbrick

Lady cougars win Deseret first duel, again

OK so I realize I'm waaay behind on this, but it turns out I'm supposed to do other nonsense with my life too. Stuff that may or may not be more important, you know like homework and things, anyways "here goes nothing".

BYU Photo/Mark Philbrick

Cougars Soar Over Falcons

Throughout this season the Air Force Falcons have, for the first time in three years, won a couple of conference upsets. But the Lady Cougars were not about to let that happen to them. The 78-51 win for BYU says that they didn't. BYU's story is here, followed by the official stats, and then a short video by coach Jeff Judkins. But here it really is.

BYU Photo/Mark Philbrick

Cougar Fire Keeps Runnin' Rebels Runnin'

Coming off a first place win on Wednesday, for the full story see here, Cougar fire kept these ladies in first place with a desisive 79-44 win over the UNLV Runnin' Rebels on Saturday, Feb 5. Officially the only stats I could find for this game are here and a report here. Despite listening to the game on BYU radio, where every other commercial is "Family, isn't it about time?", I have managed to break the game down.

Cougars Whip Cowgirls

I'm pretty sure that title says it all about the ladies' 73-48 win over Wyoming on Wednesday, Feb 2. The Cougars came out on fire and never let up the entire game. To view the story as told by the stats take a look here. But if you want the better, I mean my version, that's below.

 BYU Photo/ Mark Philbrick

Replacements - The Point

Basically I'm done with listening to or reading from the Daily Universe, and I'm through with them not writing articles about the women's teams like they should as a University paper. So this is what I'm doing. I'm going to write about the games until the DU decides it would like to, and do a decent job of it.

But there is hope for them. Last Saturday after the lady cougars showed New Mexico what's what in the Marriott, the reporter over the women's games came up and asked me if one day she could as interview me for an article about the letter that I wrote a couple of weeks ago to the DU. So we'll just see how that goes. For more information about that see here. Thursday is now Tuesday, and DU's defense

Regular Season Ends with win over Wyoming

The Cougars decided to end the regular season with a fantastic 69-53 victory in Wyoming. A solid game inside and out contributed to the success.

BYU Photo/Mark Philbrick