A look at BYU volleyball's mercurial 2025 season so far — and what's next
For the No. 7 BYU men's volleyball team, this season has felt like an emotional rollercoaster, full of thrilling victories, challenging losses and memorable moments that brought the team closer together.
Led by head coach Shawn Olmstead, now in his tenth year, the Cougars have shown resilience and unity from the very start.
The season kicked off with a tough road trip to Ohio State. The Cougars didn't just show up — they fought hard and came away with two big wins, setting a confident tone early on.
Returning to Provo, the atmosphere in the Smith Fieldhouse was electric as the Cougars swept through St. Thomas Aquinas College, giving fans plenty to cheer about.
January brought more tests. In Indiana, BYU faced Ball State, with both matches going to intense, five-set thrillers. Each victory felt personal and showed just how mentally tough and united the team had become.
But every season has its bumps, and for BYU, facing Hawai'i, the defending national champions, was one of those moments. Despite strong efforts, the Cougars were swept at home — a rare setback that tested the team's resolve.
Rather than breaking their spirit, the losses served as motivation to bounce back even stronger.
And bounce back they did. February saw the Cougars finding their rhythm again, securing impressive wins against UC Santa Barbara and Concordia University Irvine. Each win was a step forward, helping the team regain confidence and momentum.
March entailed madness as usual as it delivered perhaps the most memorable victory so far against Grand Canyon University. Playing on the road, BYU showed heart, skill, and determination, securing a standout 3-1 win.
This victory felt special, one of those games the players and fans will talk about for a long time. Grand Canyon has an impressive track record among all sports.
Throughout the season, players have continually stepped up in big moments. Senior leaders provided crucial plays and calm leadership, guiding the younger teammates through the ups and downs.
Olmstead consistently focused on growth, teamwork, and the importance of staying connected through challenges.
Looking ahead, tough games still lie ahead against strong teams like Stanford and UCLA — matches that will certainly challenge the Cougars. But BYU is ready, focused not just on immediate victories but also on preparing for postseason play and the MPSF tournament.
“It's important that I put our guys in positions where we, as a team, are playing our best volleyball at the end of the season," Olmstead said.
This approach has shaped the team's journey, turning each obstacle into an opportunity to improve.
With the season nearing its peak, fans can look forward to more excitement, drama, and inspiring moments from a BYU volleyball team determined to finish strong.
The BYU men's volleyball team is set to host Stanford University for a two-match series at the Smith Fieldhouse.
The first match is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. MDT, followed by the second match on Friday, also at 7 p.m. MDT. Both matches will be broadcast live on BYUtv and streamed online at BYUtv.org.