Cougar women sweep Utes in volleyball

PROVO — A record crowd. A resounding victory over the arch-rivals.

The BYU women's volleyball team couldn't have asked for much more.

Before 4,509 fans, the largest crowd ever to watch a women's match in the Smith Fieldhouse, the Cougars defeated Utah, 3-0 (30-27, 30-27, 30-25), Friday night. The win marked BYU's first sweep of the Utes since 2001 and its first season sweep of its rivals since 1999, after earning a five-game win over Utah in Salt Lake City last month.

BYU coach Jason Watson was surprised his team was able to finish off Utah in three games. "It was something we hadn't talked about," he said. "These matches are emotional and draining. To be able to pull away like we did is a wonderful thing for our athletes."

The Cougars were led by reigning Mountain West Conference player of the week Rachel Dyer, who had 13 kills and recorded a .571 hitting percentage.

"I feel like she's earned that award on multiple occasions. The conference has seen fit to give it to her only once, but I feel like she's done a nice job," Watson said. "She continued to do that tonight. She carries a very large offensive burden for us, and she does it well."

Senior Chelsea Goodman registered a match-high 17 kills while setter Amy Schlauder distributed the ball well en route to 48 assists.

In the final game, BYU led 27-20 before Utah rallied to score four straight points and cut the deficit to 27-24. The Cougars called time out.

"We just needed to stop that run," Watson said. "We didn't really say much to them. (The players) knew what they needed to do. We just reminded them to not get ahead of themselves and play one point at a time."

"One of the main focuses of our team, the thing coach Watson always tells us, is being good over time," Schlauder said. "We were able to do that tonight. During that timeout, even though nothing was said, we knew we just needed one more point. We're working hard at one point at a time, one game at a time."

BYU scored three out of the final four points to close out the game and the match.

"I want to give credit to BYU," said Utah coach Beth Launiere. "They played a very good match. We competed hard, and I felt like we never gave up. I'm proud of our team for the way they completed."

With the win, the Cougars solidified third place in the MWC standings. "What I think it does at this time of the year is, you want to be good in November," Watson said. "You want to be make a significant case to the NCAA selection committee. This win builds on that case."

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