Lauren Bosco | Posted: 14 Feb 2023 | Updated: 13 Mar 2023

No. 8 BYU travels to face No. 2 UCLA for conference opener

main image
Image
Cougars at number eight

PROVO, Utah — BYU men's volleyball (8-2) extended its undefeated home streak to 6-0 with a pair of wins over No. 14 UC Santa Barbara last weekend, and now look to face No. 2 UCLA in California this week on Friday and Saturday.

Most recently, the Cougars hosted the Bruins in the Smith Fieldhouse in 2022, suffering a reverse sweep (28-26, 25-20, 23-25, 22-25, 9-15) on Senior Night. UCLA (11-1) is ranked second in the MPSF while BYU sits right below in third place. 

UCLA's freshman setter Andrew Rowan was recently selected as the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Men's Collegiate Volleyball Player of the Week. Rowan led UCLA to a pair of wins over the No. 2-ranked Long Beach State last week. The Bruins also swept this week's MPSF weekly honors, with Rowan earning Defensive Player of the Week and senior outside hitter Alex Knight earning Offensive Player of the Week.

The Cougars moved up to No. 8 in this week’s AVCA coaches poll. This is BYU's fifth week in a row on the rankings, with the No. 8 spot being its highest rank since January 17, 2022. Last season, the Cougars highest ranking was eight. 

BYU’s senior libero Mitchel Worthington is just nine digs away from earning 500 career digs, and is currently seventh on the all-time dig list for the Cougars.

Series Information

  • Series Record: Tied at 36-36
  • Last Meeting: BYU lost 3-2 (28-26, 25-20, 23-25, 22-25, 9-15)
  • Home: 24-12
  • Away: 11-23
  • Neutral: 1-1

Broadcast Information

Recent Stories

Image
Smith Fieldhouse fans and men's volleyball team cheering after match point, Jon Stanley is sliding on the floor
No. 6 BYU caps undefeated home season in sweep of No. 8 Stanford

The No. 6 BYU men's volleyball team finished off a perfect 14-0 season at home Saturday night, defeating the No. 8…

Image
Shawn Olsmtead and Jackson Fife going in for a huge, men's volleyball team in the background cheering in front of fans
No. 6 BYU defeats No. 8 Stanford in four-set thriller

Head coach Shawn Olmstead recorded his 150th career win with the Cougars Friday night as No. 6 BYU men's volleyball…