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PROVO — After losing to two ranked opponents, No. 19 BYU volleyball needed a win against a hot Utah Valley team if the team wanted to keep its national ranking.
The Wolverines, who were 9-2 heading into the game and had the best record in the state, had defeated both of its previous in-state opponents — Weber State and Utah State — and were looking for their first ever win over BYU in 18 tries.
But it would have to wait another year as the Cougars (7-3) cruised to a three-set sweep over the Wolverines (9-3), winning 25-8, 25-16, 25-15, and to improve to 7-3 on the year and 6-1 at Smith Fieldhouse.
It was a dominating win for BYU as no set was ever close, winning all three sets by more than 9 points. It's the fourth sweep this year for BYU and second consecutive while going undefeated against all three in-state teams they've faced so far — Utah Valley, Weber State and Utah State.
Brielle Kemavor came up big for BYU and recorded a double-double in blocks (10) and kills (10), and the Cougars were efficient as a team, totaling 37 kills while hitting .346. The Wolverines were held to 23 kills and hit -0.022 as a team.
The Cougars opened up the game leading 9-3 and only gave up 5 more points while they went on a 16-5 run to close out the first set. BYU used nine blocks and a -.192 hitting percentage by Utah Valley to win the first set.
The second set was more of the same from BYU.
BYU jumped to a 12-6 lead and it looked like it was going to be another blowout in the set, but the Wolverines did not make it easy — at first. Utah Valley climbed back and trailed 14-12, giving them a chance to steal a set against BYU.
But the Cougars stood strong and went on an 11-4 run to close out the set, winning 25-16.
In the third set, the Cougars quickly sparked to an 11-4 lead, looking to put the dagger in the Wolverines' upset hopes early. BYU continued its large lead and finished off the Wolverines 25-15 in the final set, ending the match.
