The Cougars took down the Pacific Tigers Jan. 25 in three sets (25-19, 25-20, 25-19) making it their sixth consecutive win this season.
The Cougars showcased their team in the 3-0 win. Taylor Sander brought a career-high zero attack errors, a first in the 85 games he’s played.
“We took care of business and we played really well,” Sander said. “A lot of people got to play and we were able to win with those guys on the court.”
Pacific started off the first set with a kill, but the Cougars retaliated with kills by Devin Young and Taylor Sander. The Tigers then started to match the Cougars point by point until three attack errors by Pacific gave BYU a 21-18 lead. Kills by Carson Heninger, Sander and Joe Grosh gave the Cougars the first set at 25-19.
BYU men’s volleyball coach Chris McGown said he was impressed by the Cougar’s energy levels and focus in their performance against Pacific.
“Everyone we put in the match played really well tonight,” McGown said. “We need to keep doing what we’re doing.”
The Cougars took a 2-0 lead in the second set. A service error and an attack error by Pacific brought the set to 4-1. The Cougars gained momentum with a kill by Grosh and two kills by Sander, bringing the set to 11-7. Following a timeout by Pacific, the Cougars had another three consecutive kills to make it 15-10. Josue Rivera and Tim Dobbert finished the set with a kill to win the set 25-20.
BYU opened the third set with a big kill by Sander and continued a 3-0 lead. Attack errors by Pacific fueled the Cougars’ advance and a kill by Phil Fuchs brought the score to 17-10. Michael Hatch and Fuchs each contributed a kill to the match point and a service error by Pacific brought the Cougars their win at 25-19.
The Cougars take to the road to play Pepperdine, USC and Cal Baptist in the next week, looking to continue the hot streak.
