Volleyball V. Alumni

Volleyball Opens Season Beating Alumni

Photo by BYU

Monday, August 20th the 2012 Brigham Young University Women's Volleyball team officially began its 2012 season with a match versus BYU alumni. 

The first set started junior opposite hitter Jennifer Hamson, senior middle blocker Nicole Warner, junior outside hitter Jessica Jardine, freshman libero Ciara Parker, senior setter Heather Hannemann, junior middle blocker Kathryn LeCheminant and junior defensive specialist Coriann Thompson. They were joined by freshman outside hitter Alexa Gray. The current Cougars and Alumni traded points for much of the first set until some hard hitting sent the 2012 team up 17-14. The Alumni fought hard to the end tying the set at 21 before Alexa helped 2012 to take the set 25-21. Jennifer ended the said 5 of 9 (ish).

The second set started Jennifer, junior middle blocker Kimberli Boswell, Alexa, Ciara, freshman outside hitter Kim Dahl, Heather, with sophmore defensive specialist Tia Whithers. The 2012 team began the set with a 6-0 run. Great serving from Heather and hitting all around. Hard work pushed the 2012 team to a 25-11 win. Jennifer ended the set 5 of 7. 

The third set started Jennifer, Jessica, Tia as libero, freshman middle blocker Amy Boswell, Kimberli, Heather, and Kim. They were joined by Coriann and Alexa throughout the set. The 2012 team seemed to start out strong again as they went on a 3-0 run. The Alumni fought back hard to a 7-9 lead, after which both teams traded points and leads. After about three service errors in a row from the 2012 team coach Shawn called a timeout for his team to run lines. Apparently they learned their lesson because a hard battle ended in a 25-18 win for the 2012 team. Jennifer ended the set 9 of 11 with an ace and assist. 

The fourth set featured freshman setter Samantha Staker, sophmore outside hitter Hannah Robison, Coriann as libero, Alexa, freshman outside hitter Whitney Young (at opposite), Nicole, Kat, and tia. The 2012 team jumped to a 10-1 lead before the Alumni called a timeout. Several great blocks by Nicole kept 2012 ahead to a match point at 24-10. The Alumni fought off one match point. A great dig and then kill by Hannah put away the set 25-11. 

The fifth and final set featured Sam, Amy, Hannah, Ciara as libero, Jessica, Kimberli, Whitney, and Tia. Determined to win a set the Alumni jumped to a quick 1-4 lead when 2012 called a timeout. The Alumni countinued to lead until the teams switched sides at the 3-8 point. Then 2012 made a hard fought come back to tie the game at 12-12. Both teams fought hard as 2012 reached a match point 14-13, but the Alumni put it off one more time before 2012 took the win 16-14. 

2012 team members Taeja Toleafoa and Katie Vaughn did not participate due to injuries. 

The Cougars next play Arkansas State on Saturday August 25 at 3:30 (MDT) in the Rice Invitational in Houston Texas. Media coverage here. 

The Cougar Report is here.