Sander Leads Sweep at Home

PROVO, Utah – The BYU men’s volleyball team cruised to a 3-0 win (25-10, 25-20, 25-20) over Cal State Northridge on Thursday in the Smith Fieldhouse.

"We've talked about winning all week," said BYU head coach Chris McGown. "The guys were chapped after Long Beach and so were the coaches, to be honest. Before this match we said that in this last third of the season we've got to win. This was the night we wanted to start a different mental attitude, different emotion and different energy. I thought the guys were great coming out and executing that plan."

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With a career-high hitting percentage of .750, Taylor Sander led the team with 16 kills on the night. Robb Stowell contributed 11 kills, while Russ Lavaja tallied eight blocks to assist the Cougars in their sweep over the Matadors.

A run of five points put the Cougars at a quick 7-3 lead early in the first set. Stowell tallied four kills to aid the offense, while blocks from Lavaja and Josue Rivera kept the Matadors from scoring too high. BYU coasted through the first set, winning 25-10 for their largest margin of victory this season.

Despite gaining another quick lead in the second set, the Matadors were able to double their kills from the first set and stay within reach of the Cougars. While the Matadors came within one point a few times in the set, BYU kept momentum and never lost the lead.

The Cougars claimed the second set 25-20. Sander contributed the set-high seven kills as well a service ace.

BYU took a litle longer to hit stride in the third set, trailing 8-6. A kill by Sander tied the score and the Cougars were able to take the lead and build to another 25-20 win. Sander recorded another set high with six kills to aide to his impressive hitting percentage.

The Cougars will see Cal State Northridge again tomorrow at 7p.m. in the Smith Fieldhouse.