No. 1 BYU Men’s Volleyball falls to #8 UCLA, Women’s Team Beats UVU

Number 1 BYU Men’s Volleyball fell to a tough eighth-ranked UCLA on Thursday evening at the Smith Fieldhouse 3-1 while the 14h-ranked women’s team beat UVU in Orem 3-1.

BYU Men’s Volleyball opened up strong against the Bruins, but eventually lost the first two sets sets due top several errors by the Cougars.

The Cougars woke up and came alive in the third set, going up 6-0 before a Bruins timeout. BYU then went up 7-0 before UCLA got on the board. BYU would extend to 11-2 and again to 13-4. BYU went on to win the set 25-15.

The fourth set wasn’t a repeat, as the Bruins took an early lead and led the Cougars throughout the set. They went on to win 25-22.

The Cougars were poor all evening, and Wil Stanley’s absence was felt. BYU hit a poor .168 and had 24 errors with 24 service errors. BYU will play UCLA again on Saturday at 4 PM MST.

BYU Women’s Volleyball went across town to play at UVU after their series against Santa Clara was postponed. BYU won the first set 25-17, before falling in a close second set 22-25.

The third set was tight early on before the Cougars took control late and won the set 25-20. The Wolverines led the fourth set early, but the Cougars worked their way back to win 25-20 and complete the win against the Wolverines.

Taylen Ballard-Nixon led the Cougars with 19 kills, while Madi Allen had 20 digs, including the play of the game on which she had three straight digs to win the Cougars a point on a play that took over a minute.

BYU plays at home against Gonzaga on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Smith Fieldhouse as they return to conference play.