2017 NCAA Top 10 Countdown: No. 9 BYU

2017 NCAA Top 10 Countdown: No. 9 BYU

BYU burst onto the national women’s volleyball scene in 2014, making it all the way to the national championship match. After losing in the regional finals to Texas last season, the Cougars are ready to make another deep run.

Last Season


29-4, 16-2 West Coast Conference
NCAA Regional Finals (3-2 loss to Texas)
.288 team hitting percentage (#5 in nation)
.879 win percentage (#5 in nation)
2.66 blocks/set (#21 in nation)

The Players


Returning Stars

Lacy Haddock | 5-foot-10 | Junior | Outside Hitter
Lyndie Haddock | 5-10 | Junior | Setter
Veronica Jones-Perry | 6-0 | Junior | Outside Hitter
Mary Lake | 5-7 | Sophomore | Libero
McKenna Miller | 6-1 | Sophomore | Outside Hitter

Biggest Losses

Amy Boswell | 6-4 | Middle Blocker
Makenna Santiago | 5-7 | Defensive Specialist
Whitney Young Howard | 6-0 | Middle Blocker

The Newcomers

Taylen Ballard | 6-3 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
Sara Hamson | 6-7 | Freshman | Opposite
Kennedy Redding | 6-4 | Redshirt Freshman | Middle Blocker
Allison Stapleton | 6-2 | Freshman | Opposite/Outside Hitter

Preseason Matches to Watch


BYU Invitational | Provo, Utah
Aug. 26 vs. Ohio State

Boise State Invitational | Boise, Idaho
Sept. 1 vs. Missouri

Outrigger Resorts Volleyball Challenge | Honolulu, Hawaii
Sept. 7 vs Hawaii

Sept. 14 @ Utah

Outlook


At the end of the 2016 season, BYU came back from down 0-2 to push its regional final match versus Texas to five sets, and then lost by two in extra points in the fifth. A pair of freshmen -- outside hitter McKenna Miller and libero Mary Lake -- played big roles on the very successful 2016 squad, and they’ll be looking to build on that performance as sophomores. Joining them is a stellar incoming class, which features 6-7 opposite Sara Hamson (younger sister of Jen Hamson, who led the Cougars to the national championship match in 2014) and 6-3 outside hitter Taylen Ballard.

The biggest challenge for BYU will be replacing its pair of graduated All-American middles, Amy Boswell and Whitney Young. There are four middle blockers listed (two of whom are listed as middle/opposites), and none of them can claim significant collegiate experience at the middle position. Redshirt freshman Kennedy Redding could make a case for one of the starting spots, as could sophomore middle/oppo Emily Lewis

Prediction


BYU was the Cinderella story of 2014, and has made a solid run in the tournament every year since. The middle blocker position could be a weakness this season, but the Cougars will be strong on the pins and at the setter and libero positions. This could be the year BYU pushes past the regional final block.