It is said that special things happen on senior night. That statement held true for the BYU women’s volleyball team on Saturday, but the word special did not include a win against Colorado State.  

“It’s definitely bitter-sweet,” said senior libero Morgan Sorensen. “I’m really sad but at the same time I feel like it’s been a blessing to be here.” 

In a game that featured four BYU seniors playing in their last match at the Fieldhouse, the Cougars took the MWC-leading Rams down to the wire, eventually dropping the fifth set 15-12.  

The Cougars were led by junior middle blocker Christina Measom, who tallied 13 kills, six blocks, two digs, and a .500 hitting percentage. Camilla Phillips also added a .500 hitting percentage and a career-high 14 kills. Junior setter Kiana Rogers posted her ninth double-double of the season, tallying 49 assists and 12 digs, with five service aces and eight blocks.  

“I really felt like we took them out of their system, out of their comfort zone,” said coach Shay Goulding. “We got them uncomfortable but we didn’t pounce on it and take advantage.”  

The loss ended the Cougars’ final homestand, which started with a win against a scrappy Wyoming team on Thursday in front of 1,057 fans. While an early-season match between the two teams went the distance, with the Cougars winning in five sets, experience and preparation helped BYU finish the job in three sets in meeting number two. 

“When we played at Wyoming we weren’t really prepared for how good of a team they are,” Measom said. “Tonight we knew how hard they were going to work so we came out and worked even harder.” 

Measom, with help from sophomore outside hitter Christie Carpenter, led the charge against the Cowgirls with nine kills and four blocks. Carpenter added seven kills and eight digs in the win.  

With the final home games of the season behind them, the Cougars finish the 2009 campaign on the road against Air Force and San Diego State this week before traveling to Moraga, Calif. to face Saint Mary’s in the final match of the season. 

“We’re just going to fight until the end,” Sorensen said. “We’re just lucky to be at this awesome university as a team so playing for as long as we can is something we’re going to do; — play our best and end with a bang.”