MOUNT OLIVE, North Carolina - The University of Mount Olive men's volleyball team fell to the No. 2 Cougars of Brigham Young University in straight sets, 25-20 25-23 25-16 on Saturday afternoon inside Kornegay Arena.
GAME INFORMATION
Mount Olive kept the nationally-ranked Cougars of BYU close in the opening set as the first frame was tied nine times before Brigham Young took control with a small two-point lead 13-11. The squads then went onto exchange points for the next 11 points until BYU went on a 5-to-1 run to go ahead 23-18. The Trojans called a timeout to stop the momentum but could not stop the Cougars from taking the first set 25-20.
BYU took a 5-1 lead to start the second set and Mount Olive was able to tie the set a nine all. The Trojans then went a bit of a run themselves grabbing a 13-9 lead and held onto the cushion for a majority of the middle part of the second until BYU tied the set at 18. Following two points by the Trojans tying the game at 21, the Cougars closed the set out scoring the final four points.
The third set saw BYU steal the momentum out of the gate with a 13-to-5 run that forced a Mount Olive timeout. UMO then took two points and the exchanging of points happened for the next 11 points. Brigham Young took the final bit of momentum finishing the set on a 6-to-3 run and took match 3-0.
TROJAN LEADERS
The Trojans were led by Tobi Azeez with nine kills in the match. Shane Yeo tallied 20 of the team's 30 assists and Ryan Lynch led the defense recording five digs.
BRIGHAM YOUNG LEADERS
The Cougars were led by Davide Gardini with 15 kills. Will Stanley collected 38 assists and tallied four digs.
KEY MOMENT
The key moment came in the third set when BYU took a 13-to-5 run to start the set and used the momentum to win the final set and the match 3-0.
UP NEXT
Mount Olive remains at home to take on the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey College as the Trojans enter Conference Carolinas play January 21 at 7 p.m. in Kornegay Arena.