November 9, 2007
Cougar volleyball to host rival Utes
Daily Herald
The BYU women's volleyball team will play the first of three home matches to close out the regular season today as the Cougars host in-state rival Utah in the Smith Fieldhouse. The match will begin at 7 p.m. and will be shown tape-delayed on The mtn. at 8:30 p.m.
"Obviously, there is a lot of emotion associated with our matches against Utah," said BYU head coach Jason Watson. "We played very well against them in Salt Lake City earlier this season and hope to repeat that success here at home in front of a great crowd."
Today's match will be more than just another Mountain West Conference contest, as the Cougars and Utes will be continuing their hotly contested rivalry. The in-state foes have met 84 times in program history, with BYU (17-6, 9-4 MWC) owning a 63-21 record. While the Cougars have traditionally dominated, Utah has claimed supremacy over the last seven years, posting a 15-3 record since 2000. However, BYU has begun to regain control, recording its first win in Salt Lake City since 2000 with a five-game victory earlier this year. Watson also coached his team to a home win in 2005, the first victory over Utah in the Smith Fieldhouse since 2001. This week's match will determine the volleyball champion in the newly created Deseret First Duel rivalry series, in addition to garnering the winning school three points toward the overall point total.
BYU closed out its road season last weekend with victories at TCU and New Mexico. The two league wins had large implications on the MWC race, as the Cougars put some distance between themselves and those chasing them for third place. At 9-4, BYU has a two-match lead over TCU and Utah, both of whom are 7-6, and a three-match advantage over New Mexico (6-7). UNLV and Colorado State are locked in a tie for first place in the league standings at 10-2. The Rebels will close out the regular season at BYU on Nov. 17.
• BYU women's baskestball opens season on road: The Cougar women's basketball team opens regular-season play tonight at Santa Barbara at 8 p.m.
The game can be heard live on KOVO 960 AM with Jay Monsen at the microphone.
The Gauchos return all five starters and 12 letterwinners from last year's 19-14 squad. The Cougars return starters Mallary Gillespie-Carling and Lauren Riley-Varley.
• UVSC soccer to play NJIT in tournament semifinals: After enjoying a first-round bye, the UVSC women's soccer team will set its sights on New Jersey Institute of Technology as the Wolverines and Highlanders will face off in United Soccer Conference Tournament semifinal action. The game is set for 1 p.m. today at UVSC.
NJIT advanced to the semifinals after defeating South Carolina State in its quarterfinal game. The Highlanders have won four of their last five games.
The winner of the UVSC/NJIT semifinal match will advance to the tournament finals on Sunday at noon. If the Wolverines were to advance, it would mark the second time in UVSC's three-year history of playing with the USC that the Wolverines have advanced to the conference finals. UVSC finished second in the 2005 tournament.
• UVSC men's hoops begins regular season: The 2007-08 Utah Valley men's basketball campaign tips off as the Wolverines travel north to take on Boise State today at the Taco Bell Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m.
"Boise State is a well-coached and well-prepared team," UVSC head coach Dick Hunsaker said. "They have arguably the best front line in (Reggie) Larry and (Matt) Nelson as we will face this season."
The Wolverines and Broncos have played three times previously, with UVSC posting a 1-2 record. UVSC beat Boise State on Nov. 27, 2004, in Orem for their first win in their first season with a full Division I schedule. The home team has won each of the three games.
The two teams will face off twice this season as the Broncos will visit Orem on Dec. 13.
The game can be heard live on AM 1400 KSTAR with Steve Watts on the call. The live audio can also be heard live at www.WolverineGreen.com
• UVSC women's basketball opens season at home: UVSC opens its 2007-08 season tonight against Mesa State at 7:05 p.m. The Wolverines will take on Cal State Fullerton the following day at 3:05 p.m. Both games will feature live audio and Gametracker, which can be accessed by going to www.WolverineGreen.com.
UVSC had its best season in four years at the NCAA level in 2006-07, finishing with a 15-13 record and ending the year on a three-game winning streak.
The Wolverines will open this season by playing four of their first five games at home before playing the next five games away from the McKay Center.
• Allen named finalist for prestigious Wuerffel Trophy: Senior wide receiver Matt Allen has been named one of 11 finalists for the prestigious Wuerffel Trophy. Named to honor former University of Florida quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, the award is presented annually to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
"I can think of no one who better fits this award and what it stands for," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "Matt is one of the finest young men I have known in my coaching career."