Rise and shout, the Lady Cougars are out, and the Nation has taken notice. The Spikers have already claimed three tournament championships this season, but despite enjoying their best start since 2005, Head Coach Shawn Olmstead says many games still remain with league play looming on the horizon.
“We’re not gonna all the sudden go change everything because of the wins we’ve gotten,” Said Coach Olmstead. “We’re still gonna keep, stay the course, is what I tell the girls all the time and stay focused on what we want to accomplish.”
Thanks to a combination of seasoned veterans and young talent, the Lady Cougars are set to spike the competition this season.
All-American candidate Jennifer Hamson and other returning starters lead the way, but several talented freshmen make vital contributions as well. In last weekend’s Nike Invitational, Freshman libero Ciara Parker anchored the defense with 17 digs while fellow Freshman Alexa Gray merited a spot on the all-tournament team.
Parker credits the leadership of her seasoned teammates to the development of the younger players. “They’ve kind of led our team in that area.”
The Spikers look to continue their perfect 9-0 start this weekend when they jet off to Washington D.C. for the George Washington Invitational. League play also lurks around the corner with Pepperdine coming to town next Wednesday.
To keep tabs on the Lady Cougars as they continue to climb in the rankings, check out their Web-site at http://byucougars.com/home/w-volleyball.
