New-look Cougars eager to build culture in 2022 season

PROVO, Utah - The BYU men’s volleyball team enters the 2022 season after a successful 2021 campaign where the Cougars put together a 20-4 record, its eighth Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Conference championship title, a trip to the NCAA national championship game and a No. 2 national ranking. 

The 2021 MPSF Coach of the Year, Shawn Olmstead, returns for his seventh season as head coach of the Cougars and will welcome back 11 returners and add nine newcomers.

“Everyone who is a part of this program is excited to get rolling and back into the swing of things,” Olmstead said. “With a young team, we've embraced each day as an opportunity for growth. Our focus each practice is on executing the fundamentals well and putting ourselves in a position to get as many game-type repetitions as time will allow.”

The NVA/AVCA Coaches Poll ranked BYU as its pre-season No. 6 on Dec. 20.

Top Returners

In his junior year, outside hitter Davide Gardini started in all 24 matches, totaling 247 kills and a .327 hitting percentage. He received All-MPSF First Team honors as well as All-American First Team honors. Gardini is the Cougars' top returner statistically as he enters his senior season.

Senior libero Mitchel Worthington is the only other starter from last season to return for the 2022 season.

Senior opposite hitter Alex Ah Sue, senior middle blocker Brandon Oberender and junior libero Jon Stanley also return for 2022 and will add depth and experience to the roster. They are expected to have increased roles this season.  

“Believe it or not, there’s more excitement toward this season than in seasons’ past because it’s a time for these current guys to grow and build their culture," Olmstead said. "I think that’s one of the most enjoyable parts of our jobs, building the young guys up to be leaders and succeed in reaching the goals that they have set as a team.”

Newcomers

With the loss of seven seniors, including a majority of the starting lineup, the Cougars added a number of new faces, including Stanford transfer Kupono Browne (outside hitter), Italian U19 team member Alessandro Gianotti (middle blocker), returned-missionary Jackson Fife (libero), AVCA high school All-American Truman Morley (setter), Barton College transfer and Polish native Bartosz Slawinski (setter), returned missionary Jared Brady (outside hitter), Hawaiin native Noa Haine (setter), California League MVP Luke Benson (outside hitter) and returned missionary Ethan Gant (middle blocker). 

A Legacy to Follow

“The seniors who graduated left a major impact on our team and this university,” Olmstead said. “They competed each day and left a strong legacy for these younger guys to follow.”

This included Gabi Garcia Fernandez, one of the two BYU volleyball players in program history to receive All-America honors in all four years of eligibility. Other All-American losses include Wil Stanley, Zach Eschenberg and Felipe de Brito Ferreira. Miki Jauhiainen finished his career on a high note by receiving his second career Elite 90 award. He is the only BYU athlete in history to win it more than once. 

BYU will open the 2022 season in University Park, Pennsylvania on Jan. 6 and 8 against the University of Pennsylvania. The full BYU men's volleyball schedule is posted and available. Match times are still to be announced. Tickets will be available starting on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Click here for more ticket information.