In a rematch from last year, BYU volleyball had to face a familiar foe in the National Championship Volleyball game versus the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Another year, another heartbreaking title game loss by BYU volleyball.
After a heartbreaking loss in 2016 to these same Buckeyes, BYU volleyball seemed poised to make this year a match to be remembered. BYU swept and upset Long Beach State in the semifinal round setting up the rematch against the Buckeyes.
Ohio State swept BYU volleyball in 2016. Unfortunately for the Cougars, the same thing happened tonight.
How the Match Played Out
BYU volleyball got out to somewhat of a slow start. Ohio State took a seven-point lead in the first set before BYU really got settled in. BYU finally found its energy when Ben Patch entered the match midway through the set. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough to keep the Buckeyes from taking the first set 25-19.
Service aces and passing problems persisted into the second set for the Cougars. With the Buckeyes significantly up in the second set, BYU started to lose control. BYU volleyball found a bit of momentum late in the set, but it still wasn’t enough. The Buckeyes won the second set 25-20.
BYU Volleyball kept it close in the third set as the two teams traded points on the first 20 points of the set. Ohio State opened a small lead and used that to inch its way to another National Championship.
And another sweep.
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BYU Volleyball Plagued By Errors
Much respect and congratulations are to be given to the Ohio State Buckeyes – they deserve it for playing a lights-out match. Near perfect.
BYU leaves the court with a few notes to take for next season.
The biggest issues for BYU volleyball were passing and service errors. As a team, the Cougars served up four aces while committing 11 errors. Total errors for BYU totaled 16.
Jake Langlois led the Cougar offensive attack with eight kills. Brendan Sander had seven. Patch had six. Unfortunately, the rest of the accomplishments were overshadowed by an extremely low hitting percentage. Their total hitting percentage finished at .243. In the first set alone BYU Volleyball tallied a miserable .043 hitting percentage.
Still, BYU volleyball has a lot to be proud of. Ohio State is the No. 1 team in the nation. BYU was the underdog. Though they fell short, they swept Barton and No. 2 ranked Long Beach State on their journey.
Ben Patch has played his last match for the Cougars. Langlois and two other seniors also will be leaving the team.
Assuming the rest of the team returns, there is a lot to look forward to next season as BYU will look to make it to a third straight National Championship match and hopefully break through and win it all.