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BYU Rugby and Volleyball headline big week for the Cougars

Both the Rugby and Volleyball teams sit at the top of the national rankings and get a chance to prove themselves this week.

By Samuel Hiatt

This week is important for BYU fans, and luckily, not because taxes are due. Two athletic teams are hosting post season tournaments with BYU Men's Volleyball spiking things off on Thursday. They will host UC Santa Barbara at 7:30 PM MDT and it will also be broadcast on BYUtv if you can't make it. This is for the MPSF (conference) title.

The Cougars are ranked #1 in the nation and beat UC Santa Barbara in straight sets both times they played back in February. Assuming the Cougars don't collapse, they will face the winner of Long Beach State and UCLA on Saturday at 7:00 PM MDT, also at BYU and on BYUtv. Here's a quick synopsis of how good this team is:

Translation, really really good. However, don't expect the finals to come easily, both UCLA and Long Beach played the Cougars close this season. Long Beach actually handed the Cougars one of their only 3 losses by the count of 3 games to 0 in January. However, the Cougars defeated them 3-1 the night before. The Cougars got the best of The Bruins 3-1 both times earlier this month down in Los Angeles.

If BYU is able to win the tournament, they will be selected as one of 6 teams to participate in the NCAA Tournament hosted by Penn State. The tournament will begin on May 5 and continue until the 7th. Even with a loss, BYU still has a great chance at grabbing one of the two at large births, given their #1 ranking.

Saturday will also feature the second BYU squad pursuing a national tile as BYU Rugby hosts Arkansas State in what will the be the semi finals. The match will begin at 1PM MDT and tickets are already available. To say this team is dominant, would be an understatement, they beat Dartmouth 75-15 this past Saturday in the quarter finals and defeated Arizona State 113-8. Needless to say, BYU is the favorite to win another title.

Football and Basketball may be in the off season, but these two teams are garnishing national attention for BYU and have kept the excitement high. Assuming you didn't have to file an extension to the IRS, these are some great weekend plans.

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