No. 9 Cougars to host undefeated, No. 10 Ball State in key two-game showdown

PROVO, Utah — This week, No. 9 BYU men’s volleyball will remain in the Smith Fieldhouse, hosting red-hot No. 10 Ball State University for a pair of matches, starting Friday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. MDT.

Ball State is coming off of two huge victories over No. 1 Hawaii last weekend and leads the NCAA in multiple statistical categories.

The Cougars hold a 12-4 all-time record against the Cardinals and are on a nine-match winning streak against them.

No. 9 Brigham Young University Cougars (4-2, 0-0 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation)

Last weekend, BYU racked up two victories (3-2, 3-1) against the University of Mount Olive
Early in the first match last weekend, BYU captain and preseason First Team All-American Davide Gardini went down with an ankle injury, missing the remainder of play throughout the weekend. Gardini's absence opened the door for others to step up, including a number of freshmen who put up career-best numbers.
Freshman outside hitter Miks Ramanis led the way last weekend, putting up 23 kills on Friday and 22 kills on Saturday. Not only was this the highest kill count of any BYU player this season or last season, but the first time a Cougar had tallied 23 kills since Davide Gardini three seasons ago, on April 13, 2019 against Stanford. Rimanis is No. 12 in the NCAA with a .410 hitting percentage. He is No. 20 in kills per set at 3.47.
Other Cougars who had big weekends and set career bests included Jon Stanley, Bartosz Slawinski, Gavin Julien, Anthony Cherfan, Luke Benson and Teon Taylor.
BYU has had five different starting lineups in six matches this season.
BYU ranks No. 14 in blocks per set (2.19), No. 14 in match-winning percentage (.667) and No. 19 in hitting percentage (.282)
The Cougars finished the 2021 season with a 20-4 record, its eighth MPSF conference championship title, a trip to the NCAA national championship game and a No. 2 national ranking
Off the Block recognized Gardini as preseason First Team All-American

No. 10 Ball State University Cardinals (5-0, 0-0 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association)

Last weekend, Ball State tallied two huge wins (3-0, 3-2) against No. 1 University of Hawaii (3-0, 3-2).
Out of their five matches this season, the Cardinals have swept four.
Their other wins this season came against Maryville University, Tusculum University and George Mason University.
Graduate senior setter Quinn Isaacson and senior outside attacker Kaleb Jenness earned spots on the Preseason All-MIVA Team.
Isaacson ranks No. 1 in the NCAA in aces per set (.867), No. 1 in assists per set (12.20) and No. 16 in digs per set (2.20)
Jenness ranks No. 2 in the NCAA in kills per set (4.64), No. 2 in points per set (5.11), No. 7 in attacks per set (8.43) and No. 9 in hitting percentage (.432)
On Tuesday, Jenness earned MIVA Offensive Player of the Week after his 19 kills and .467 hitting percentage against Hawaii.
In the NCAA, Ball State ranks No. 1 in kills per set (14.47), No. 1 in hitting percentage (.444), No. 1 in assists per set (13.12), No. 4 in aces per set (2.29) and No. 4 in digs per set (9.71).

BROADCAST INFORMATION – Feb. 4

Time: 7 p.m. MDT
Live Stream: BYUtv/BYUtv App
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

BROADCAST INFORMATION – Feb. 5

Time: 7 p.m. MDT
Live Stream: BYUtv/BYUtv App
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

Consistent with current BYU requirements, all in attendance will need to provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test upon entry. Masks will also be required, regardless of vaccination status. Find more details at byu.edu/coronavirus.