No. 19 BYU Heads Down the Road

PROVO -- The No. 19 BYU women's volleyball team is set for another busy week as the Cougars (12-2, 4-1 MWC) prepare to take on UVSC Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Orem, Utah, before returning home for two weekend matches against Mountain West Conference foes.

"UVSC is a quality opponent, one that's extremely competitive at home," said BYU head coach Jason Watson. "As our program continues to progress, we'll need to be prepared for this challenge. It'll be a great opportunity for us to compete against a well-coached team."

BYU has swept nine of the 14 matches it has played this season. Of the seven overall statistical categories tracked by the league, BYU players lead the conference in three of them (hitting percentage -- Rachel Dyer; kills -- Erica Lott; points -- Erica Lott) and are second in two others (blocks -- Lindsy Hartsock; aces -- Chelsea Goodman). Cougar Jenna Judkins is ranked third in assists and Goodman and Janvier Beaumont are also ranked ninth and tenth, respectively, in digs. The Cougars also boast three of the league's top five players in hitting percentage with Dyer (1st - .410), Hartsock (2nd - .404) and Lott (5th - .336).

Injuries are still plaguing BYU as the Cougars are without the services of top hitter Erica Lott due to back problems, and starting setter Amy Schlauder is still out with a broken finger. Lott is listed day-to-day, while Schlauder will be evaluated by team doctors this week to determine when she can return. Back-up setter Jenna Judkins played Friday night on a sprained ankle but is expected to start against UVSC.

The Wolverines are 11-6 so far this season, including a split of two matches with Weber State, their only opponent in common with the Cougars. They have also won their last four straight contests. Sophomore Camie Manwill leads the Wolverines on both sides of the ball with 4.25 kills per game and 4.40 digs per game. She is helped on the offensive side by junior Jessica Endres with 3.44 kpg, the only Wolverine averaging more than 2.0 kpg. Endres also leads the team with a .330 hitting percentage while adding 0.74 blocks per game, second on the squad. Senior Brooke Adams leads the Wolverine block with 0.91 per game.

As a team, UVSC is hitting .212 while allowing opponents to hit .184. The Wolverines area also allowing 2.11 blocks per game compared to their own 1.98 mark.

Fans of BYU women's volleyball can follow the action of the UVSC match via BYU Radio, which will be streamed live over the Internet. The link can be found by going to the Schedule page of the BYU women's volleyball homepage at www.byucougars.com.