College roundup: Stanford sweeps BYU men's volleyball team

PROVO — The No. 1 BYU men's volleyball team fell 3-0 (33-35, 23-25, 22-25) to the No. 7 Stanford Cardinal Saturday at the Smith Fieldhouse, marking the first time the team has been swept in a match this season.

"That's a really good Stanford team out there," said BYU head coach Chris McGown. "They were playing with a lot of confidence tonight. One thing, for us, is that we're trying to support whoever is on the court one hundred percent, and I think the guys have been great about that."

Futi Tavana led the Cougars with 11 kills while Robb Stowell finished with 10. Joe Kauliakoma assisted on 41 points and Andrew Heap led with six digs.

The loss also marks the first time the Cougars have lost two home matches in the same weekend since 2002 when Pepperdine twice defeated BYU. Its also only the fourth time BYU has been swept in the past 73 home matches dating back to 2006.

Skiing

UTE PLACES IN 5K: At Anchorage, Alaska, senior Maria Graefnings turned in a second-place effort in the women's 5k classical race during her season debut at Kincaid Park as part of the first day of the UAA Invitational.

The Utes rank second after day one of the UAA Invitational as they combined for 228 points and only trail defending national champion Colorado by three points (231). Led by a pair of podium finishes, Utah's women's team posted a meet-high 124 points and the men's squad turned in a 104-point day.

On the men's course, Miles Havlick took third place. He has now been recognized on the podium in four out of five races this season and in 13 of his races during his time at Utah.

Gymnastics

BOISE STATE TOPS BYU: At Provo, the Cougars (1-3) came up short, 195.750-194.750 in the Smith Fieldhouse vs. Boise State (3-2).

In warm-ups, senior Holland Matheson was injured. Matheson was set to compete for the first time since the first meet.

BYU started the afternoon on the vault where Natalie Eyre-Pickard shone with her score of 9.875.

Gaining the highest score for the Cougars, Krysten Koval earned a 9.900 for an excellent performance on the beam.

The Cougars host Denver on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.