Cougars down Sharks, improve to 2-0

PROVO, Utah — No. 15 BYU women’s volleyball earned its second win of the dōTERRA Classic, sweeping Long Island (25-11, 25-10, 25-9) in the Smith Fieldhouse on Friday night. 

"This is insane. I've never felt anything so electric. It was the most fun match I've played in a long time," said BYU senior opposite Kenzie Koerber. “I personally thrive off a crowd. It helps me bring the energy I know I can supply to my team.” 

On a night that featured an attendance of 4,823, good for sixth all-time in the Fieldhouse for a women's volleyball match, the Cougars (2-0, 0-0 WCC) hit .462 compared to the Sharks’ -.077. Koerber led BYU with nine kills on a .471 clip, and also added nine digs. 

Senior outside hitter Taylen Ballard-Nixon recorded eight kills, hitting .800 on the night, and junior setter Whitney Bower contributed 33 assists. Sophomore libero Madi Allen also tallied ten digs.

Set One

Led by kills from six different Cougars, BYU opened up an early 8-3 lead. Three kills by Koerber and an ace by Bower highlighted a run that put the Cougars ahead by double digits at 17-7. BYU ended the set on a 5-2 run to close it out, 25-11. 

Set Two

Capped by a hustle play and ace from senior setter Taylor Hifo, the Cougars once again went ahead early, this time by 10 at 12-2. Three kills by Ballard-Nixon paced BYU as it went up 19-8. Closing the second set on a 6-2 run, the Cougars took the second set 25-10.

Set Three

Two kills from Koerber and three by Nixon helped BYU to a 10-2 lead to open the third set. A seven-serve run by senior middle Whitney Llarenas put BYU up 20-6. After the two teams traded points, junior opposite Kate Grimmer’s kill clinched the match with a 25-9 third set victory.

The Cougars conclude dōTERRA Classic play against UNLV on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. MDT. The match will be televised on BYUtv and will also be available on the BYUtv app.