Michaelis Pleased with Team's Performance in Alumnae Exhibition

PROVO -- BYU's women's volleyball team defeated a team of former Cougars in the annual alumnae match Friday at the Smith Fieldhouse. Winning four of the five exhibition games, BYU looked ready to assume its top-10 ranking as it prepares for next Friday's season opener in Athens, Ga.

"We are already ahead of where we were at this time last year," coach Elaine Michaelis said. "To execute that well this early is really good. Our first team played very well and I feel good about our depth."

Senior Caroline Bower played particularly well, moving back to an outside hitter position. Bower and sophomore Nina Puikkonen led the Cougars with eight kills apiece as BYU defeated the alumnae team 15-5, 15-4, 15-8, 15-11, 13-15. The Cougars hit .299 as a team.

Current BYU assistant coach Stephanie Trane, who had 13 kills, led the alumnae team. Helen Hjorth and Heather Barlow added nine kills and Rachel Greene eight for the alumnae.

No. 7-ranked BYU opens the 1999 season playing Michigan, Georgia and Toledo at the Georgia Invitational next week in Athens, Ga.