Yesterday, we looked at the coaching landscape of men’s volleyball. If you missed it, there is still time…because it will always be there for you. Just like a great Libero.
Keoni Thiim used the transfer portal this summer in order to be the guy. In the biggest match of the young season, Thiim rose to the occasion and delivered a match-high 19 kills, just 1 shy of his career-high. The five-set thriller was all we could have hoped for. In the end, the offensive juggernaut that is BYU just kept the kills coming. The Cougars ended up out-hitting the Cardinals .319 to .175 for the match.
For what it is worth, the VBelo model has this match as essentially a toss up: #5 BYU (48%) vs #6 Ball State (52%)
With their win, the model now slightly favors BYU for tonight’s matchup, but let’s be honest, it’s too close to call. Both of these programs know how to adjust and put together a solid game plan. I would expect high quality volleyball again tonight, which feels like a safe bet.
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Yesterday's Scores
Non-conference
Long Island (90%) def. Roberts Wesleyan (10%) 3-1 (25-23, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21)
First Point Volleyball Foundation Collegiate Challenge (@ Austin, Texas)
#14 Penn State (21%) vs #1 UCLA (79%)
#13 Ohio State (57%) vs #11 Stanford (43%)
Under Armour Challenge (@ CSUN)
Lindenwood (55%) vs #17 UC San Diego (45%)
Purdue Fort Wayne (41%) vs #15 CSU Northridge (59%)
Non-conference
Barry (26%) vs St. Thomas Aquinas (74%)
Barry (7%) vs Long Island (93%)
Barry just keeps giving me more reasons to love them. First they have an awesome mascot. Then they start their season 3-0. Then they go and schedule a double-header at two different schools! Right now, they can do no wrong in my eyes.
