No. 12 Cougars host Cincinnati for final two-game home series
No. 12 BYU hosts Cincinnati in a two-match series on Friday and Saturday. Both matches are at 9 ET and can be viewed on the Big 12 Now Network on ESPN+.
The Cougars lead the overall series after winning 3-1 at the BYU Nike Invitational last season. After two losses to Kansas State in Manhattan, BYU dropped four spots to No. 12 in the AVCA poll and are now 7-4 in the Big 12.
Cincinnati travels to Provo after losing to No. 22 Houston in three straight sets last Sunday making them 4-7 in conference.
With the last 7 games remaining in Big 12 play, the Cougars rank second in conference in opponents hitting percentage (.163) and total blocks (215.5).
Currently, BYU is undefeated in the Smith Fieldhouse this season (10-0) and hope to continue this streak. The key to winning is their hitting percentage. When hitting .200 or better this season, BYU is 17-0.
For Cincinnati to clinch the win, they need to keep BYU’s hitting percentage low and continue to have a high offense game. The Bearcats have out-dug their opponents in 15 matches this season, and in each of their Big 12 victories, they had advantages in digs.
Following this weekend against Cincinnati, BYU will head to UCF for its final two-match series.
Players to watch for:
Cincinnati:
Elissa Alcantara- Outside Hitter, Senior
- Averages 2.50 kills per set, She leads the Bearcats in kills in five matches.
BYU:
Mia Lee- Middle Blocker, Freshman
- Leads team in total blocks (96), Most solo blocks on team (9), and is No. 47 nationally in blocks per set (1.26).
