The No. 10 BYU women’s volleyball team suffered its first home loss in 26 games against No.5 Washington but bounced back to sweep UMBC and UVU to improve its record to 5-1.
“We’ll get better from here,” head coach Shawn Olmstead said after the loss to Washington. “We’ve got a lot of information, and we’ll be able to get better.”
BYU kicked off the BYU Invitational with a tough, five-set nail biter (25-18, 22-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-10) loss to No. 5 Washington. BYU was led by Jennifer Hamson, who had 21 kills, 11 digs and two blocks.
Washington took control of the fifth set early by jumping out to a 5-1 lead. BYU was able to fight back with a mini run to bring it within one at 5-6, but Washington took control from there and sealed the match with a 9-4 run, ending BYU’s 26-game home winning streak.
BYU got off to a fast start in the first set by jumping out to a 12-5 lead. Washington then took over by ending the set on a 13-1 run to win the first set. BYU responded by taking the second set. BYU split the third and fourth set with Washington bringing it to a fifth and deciding set in front of 3,017 fans in the Smith Fieldhouse.
BYU bounced back by sweeping UMBC (25-12, 25-15, 25-13) in the first match of its double header on Saturday. Hamson led the way for BYU with 11 kills and four blocks.
“(Coach) said it’s a new day,” Hamson said. “And a new game, so we just tried to put the game last night behind us and just play well today.”
BYU capped off the BYU Invitational with a straight set win over UVU. Hamson again led BYU with eight kills, three digs and 10 blocks.
“I was pleased with the way the girls came out in a match like that the night after a tough one against Washington,” Olmstead said.
UVU kicked off the BYU Invitational by sweeping UMBC. Washington remained undefeated through the BYU Invitational by sweeping UMBC and UVU.
The all-tournament team consisted of Washington’s Krista Vansant (MVP) and Lianna Sybeldon, BYU’s Jennifer Hamson and Hannah Robinson, UVU’s Lauren Bakker and UMBC’s Cassey Griffith.
BYU has another top 25 game lined up this weekend as it faces No. 13 Colorado State (5-0) in New Mexico on Sept. 12 at 11 a.m. (MST). BYU will also play UTEP and New Mexico State this upcoming weekend.
