BYU Volleyball ends season with loss at Pepperdine

BYU Volleyball’s 2019 season came to a close in the MPSF tournament at Firestone Fieldhouse on Thursday night as the Cougars fell to Pepperdine in a sweep (17-25, 23-25, 18-25).

Davide Gardini and Gabi Garcia Fernandez had 10 kills and four digs each, while Miki Jauhiainen recorded four blocks in the season-ending defeat.

The Cougars, who entered the MPSF tournament as the five seed, finished the season 13-12 overall in what is being considered a rebuilding year, following the losses of Brenden Sander, Price Jarmin, and Leo Durkin. The Cougars welcomed newcomer Gardini, who was key for the Cougars throughout the season.

Despite a poor conference season, the Cougars had several players earn MPSF awards. Fernandez was named to the All-MPSF First Team, while Davide Gardini was named to the All-MPSF Second Team, All-Freshman Team, and was also named MPSF Freshman of the Year. Brody Earnest joined Gardini on the All-Freshman squad, with Felipe de Brito Ferreira received Honorable Mention.

The Cougars will only lose one player for next year. Taylor Richards, a senior out of Provo, is the lone player not returning in 2020. The Cougars will look to improve on this season and regain its dominance in the MPSF.