BYU Cougars - The Salt Lake Tribune

Kragthorpe: Chickening out? Bronco won’t say so, but why not?

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:44:39 MDT

Kragthorpe: Chickening out? Bronco won’t say so, but why not?

by Kurt Kragthorpe Tribune Columnist

Published May 20, 2013 02:44PM MDT

When coach Bronco Mendenhall addresses crowds of BYU followers this week during Cougar Fan Fest events in Spanish Fork and Sandy, he’s unlikely to say anything memorable. There’s a lot of provocative material going around elsewhere in college football these days, though. And I love it. Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis referred to Alabama’s Nick Saban as “the devil himself.” Michigan coach Brady Hoke spoke of Notre Dame’s “chickening out” of the traditional rivalry. Davis’ boss, Florida co...

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Women’s volleyball: BYU sends 2 to US A2 program

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:58:03 MDT

Women’s volleyball: BYU sends 2 to US A2 program

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 20, 2013 01:58PM MDT

BYU middle blocker Kathryn LeCheminant and outside hitter Kimberly Dahl have been added to the 48-player roster of the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Senior A2 program. The athletes in the program will train and compete this summer in Dallas. The duo comes off a 28-4 season with the BYU women’s volleyball team, which ended the 2012 season with a No. 12 national ranking after finishing in the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament. LeCheminant averaged 1.01 blocks per set and hit .376, the team’s s...

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NCAA softball: BYU is underdog against No. 3 Oregon

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:18:49 MDT

NCAA softball: BYU is underdog against No. 3 Oregon

the Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 14, 2013 11:18PM MDT

At one point this season, the BYU women’s softball team was five games under the break-even mark and a ninth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament looked like a long shot. Since then, the Cougars have bulldozed their way through the Pacific Coast Softball Conference, winning 16 of 17 games and earning an automatic bid to the postseason and a date with Pac-12 champs and No. 3-ranked Oregon at the Eugene Regional on Thursday. BYU opened the tournament in Eugene last season, losing to the Ducks i...

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Men’s volleyball: BYU swept in championship match vs. UC Irvine

Sat, 04 May 2013 23:20:03 MDT

Men’s volleyball: BYU swept in championship match vs. UC Irvine

by Jon Gold Special To The Tribune

Published May 4, 2013 11:20PM MDT

Los Angeles • Seven points: The difference between success and failure, victory and defeat, massive championship trophy and puny consolation plaque. Thing is, staring into the bloodshot eyes of the BYU Cougars, you get the feeling they know where each and every point went wrong. There were tears after the Cougars watched UC Irvine hoist its second consecutive title prize after a 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 26-24) win, and they were tears of regret. BYU led each game — including the second game 11-4 — onl...

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Y.’s dynamic duo misses its chance

Sat, 04 May 2013 22:42:03 MDT

Y.’s dynamic duo misses its chance

by Jon Gold Special To The Tribune

Published May 4, 2013 10:42PM MDT

Los Angeles • Chris McGown knew the day was coming, knew he’d only have the terrific twosome of Taylor Sander and Ben Patch for one season, but that doesn’t make this any easier. Patch will embark on his LDS mission next year as Sander returns for his senior season, leaving a surprisingly massive vacuum that only got bigger as he got better in his phenomenal freshman season. This was always part of the bargain, but sitting up on the dais after his BYU Cougars fell to UC Irvine, 3-0, in the NCAA ...

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BYU volleyball: Cougs, UC Irvine to meet, with national title on the line

Sat, 04 May 2013 19:13:35 MDT

BYU volleyball: Cougs, UC Irvine to meet, with national title on the line

by Jon Gold Special To The Tribune

Published May 4, 2013 07:13PM MDT

Los Angeles • How do you plan for a team you’ve been scheming for all year? When they’re in your thoughts and dreams and blueprints, when they’re the team you expect to face with it all on the line, when all along, you’ve expected them to be the last bump (and set and spike) on the road to the championship? You do what you’ve been doing all along. And you cross your fingers. “BYU is a team that we’ve been planning to play in this moment since last year,” said UC Irvine men’s volleyball coach Dav...

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BYU men’s volleyball sweeps semis match, heads to final

Fri, 03 May 2013 08:48:04 MDT

BYU men’s volleyball sweeps semis match, heads to final

by Jon Gold Special To The Tribune

Published May 3, 2013 08:48AM MDT

Los Angeles • Taylor Sander stood back and watched as freshman Ben Patch lifted BYU early in the first game of the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Tournament Semifinals at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion. But when things got dicey for the Cougars, Sander swooped in and saved the day. Patch had a kill, a block and an ace in the game’s first nine points and Sander closed out Penn State with nine third-game kills as the All-American duo spurred BYU’s 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-22) win over the Nittany Lions on Thursday ni...

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Men’s volleyball: BYU’s Chris McGown named AVCA Coach of the Year

Thu, 02 May 2013 10:34:51 MDT

Men’s volleyball: BYU’s Chris McGown named AVCA Coach of the Year

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 2, 2013 10:34AM MDT

BYU men’s volleyball coach Chris McGown was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association 2013 Men’s Division I-II National Coach of the Year. The first-seeded Cougars kick off the NCAA tournament Thursday at 9 p.m. (MDT) against No. 4-seed Penn State at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. McGown, also named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year, led the Cougars to their first NCAA Final Four appearance since 2004 and a 25-4 overall record entering the NCAA tournament. BYU he...

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BYU volleyball: Cougars are two wins away from completing dream season

Thu, 02 May 2013 08:57:09 MDT

BYU volleyball: Cougars are two wins away from completing dream season

by Jay Drew The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 2, 2013 08:57AM MDT

There were a few bumps along the way, a couple of minor obstacles here or there to overcome. But for the most part, this has been a “magical” season for the BYU men’s volleyball team, in the words of superstar outside hitter Taylor Sander. But it is not quite over, the dream of winning the program’s first national championship since 2004, and fourth overall, not fully realized. Having reached the NCAA Final Four for the fifth time since 1999, the No. 1-ranked and top-seeded Cougars (25-4) must w...

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Men’s volleyball: BYU’s Chris McGown named top MPSF’s coach

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:38:02 MDT

Men’s volleyball: BYU’s Chris McGown named top MPSF’s coach

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 1, 2013 12:38PM MDT

BYU men’s volleyball coach Chris McGown was named the 2013 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year. McGown is the third coach at BYU to earn Coach of the Year honors from the MPSF, including his father Carl McGown, who won national championships in 1999 and 2001. Tom Peterson also won co-coach honors in 2003. Backed by a 25-4 record and an MPSF Championship for the first time since 2004, the Cougars return to the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars won the conference title April 27 aga...

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Men’s tennis: BYU receives NCAA at-large bid

Wed, 01 May 2013 09:21:02 MDT

Men’s tennis: BYU receives NCAA at-large bid

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 1, 2013 09:21AM MDT

Despite losing in the championship of the conference tournament, BYU’s No. 39 ranked men’s tennis team received an at-large bid to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Championships. The Cougars (21-6) will play a first round match against Memphis (14-7) on Friday in Oxford, Miss. The other first round match has Ole Miss (15-8) hosting Lehigh (18-5) with the winners advancing to the second round Saturday. “We’re excited that we can continue our season and have the opportunity to represent the ...

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BYU baseball: Cougars face must-win road series

Wed, 01 May 2013 09:14:02 MDT

BYU baseball: Cougars face must-win road series

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 1, 2013 09:14AM MDT

The top four teams qualify for the West Coast Conference baseball tournament and the right to play in the NCAA Tournament. BYU (22-17, 8-7 WCC) sits fifth, behind San Diego, and can’t afford a mistake this weekend when it travels to Loyola Marymount (21-23, 9-9) for a three-game series starting Thursday at 4 p.m. (MDT). Desmond Poulson (5-1, 2.44) takes the mound for BYU on Thursday, followed by Jeff Barker (3-3, 3.80) on Friday, also at 4 p.m. (MDT). Adam Miller (3-6, 5.34) is scheduled to star...

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Women’s track: BYU fueled by relays

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:22:03 MDT

Women’s track: BYU fueled by relays

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 30, 2013 10:22AM MDT

Anchored by senior Natalie Stewart, the women’s track & field team was fueled by solid first-place performances in the 4x400- and 4x400-meter relays during the final day of the BYU Robison Invitational. Stewart also won the 400-meter final. “We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to finish this invitational,” BYU coach Patrick Shanesaid. “We had a lot of great performances, but we really stood out in our relays, especially in the 4x400. Nicole [Bringhurst] jumped out early running a 55....

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BYU men’s volleyball: Cougars sweep Long Beach State for berth in Final Four

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:14:36 MDT

BYU men’s volleyball: Cougars sweep Long Beach State for berth in Final Four

by Martin Renzhofer The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 28, 2013 12:14AM MDT

Provo • On the road to its tournament championship, BYU faced plenty of challenges, moments that would have discouraged a mentally weaker team. The No. 1-ranked Cougars drew on all of their moxie to win their first Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament championship since 2004, which, incidentally, was when BYU won the last of its three national championships. Saturday’s 28-26, 25-22, 25-22 defeat of No. 2 Long Beach State before 4,190 spectators rocking the Smith Fieldhouse solidified BY...

BYU volleyball: Cougars insist they are motivated to win conference tourney title

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:04:58 MDT

BYU volleyball: Cougars insist they are motivated to win conference tourney title

by Jay Drew The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 26, 2013 10:04PM MDT

Provo • Regardless of what happens in the MPSF volleyball championship game against Long Beach State at the Smith Fieldhouse, the No. 1-ranked BYU Cougars will make the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four. But that doesn’t mean top-seeded BYU (24-4) won’t be motivated to take down the third-seeded 49ers (24-7) in front of an expected crowd of more than 3,000 Saturday night, freshman star Ben Patch said Thursday night after the five-set come-from-behind win over UCLA. “I think it is really important to...

BYU basketball: Guard Raul Delgado leaving program, destination unknown

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:49:38 MDT

BYU basketball: Guard Raul Delgado leaving program, destination unknown

by Jay Drew The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 26, 2013 05:49PM MDT

Provo • A BYU basketball spokesperson confirmed Friday that rising senior point guard Raul Delgado has decided to leave the program. To which college basketball program Delgado is transferring is not known. Delgado’s transfer leaves BYU coach Dave Rose with two available scholarships for the 2013-14 basketball season. The Cougars recently signed Salt Lake Community College combo guard Skyler Halford, a signal perhaps that Delgado’s future in the program was bleak. Delgado, who prepped at nearby ...

Trailing 2-0, No. 1 BYU volleyball rallies to defeat No. 4 UCLA

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:00:30 MDT

Trailing 2-0, No. 1 BYU volleyball rallies to defeat No. 4 UCLA

by Jay Drew The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 26, 2013 11:00AM MDT

Provo • Ben Patch, Taylor Sander and Josue Rivera and Devin Young were the heroes Thursday night, but the BYU men’s volleyball players and their coach to a man said they weren’t the difference in their improbable comeback win over UCLA. It was the crowd, some 3,382 strong, which gave the No. 1 Cougars the boost they needed to take down fourth-seeded UCLA 3-2 in an MPSF men’s volleyball semifinal match at Smith Fieldhouse, they said. “We don’t win this match, I don’t think, if we played it anywhe...

BYU men’s volleyball: 3 Cougars named All-American

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:16:03 MDT

BYU men’s volleyball: 3 Cougars named All-American

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 25, 2013 11:16AM MDT

Junior Taylor Sander and freshman Ben Patch were named first-team AVCA All-Americans, while senior Russ Lavaja was named to the second team. BYU hosts the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament, which begins Thursday at the Smith Fieldhouse. Patch also earned AVCA Newcomer of the Year, while Sander earned the honor for the third consecutive season. He was an AVCA second-team All-American in 2011 and was placed on the first team last year. The AVCA National Player of the Year will be annou...

BYU tennis: Cougars enter WCC tournament as No. 2 seed

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:22:02 MDT

BYU tennis: Cougars enter WCC tournament as No. 2 seed

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 25, 2013 09:22AM MDT

As the No. 2 seed, the BYU men’s tennis team was able to bypass the first two rounds of the West Coast Conference Men’s Tennis Championships in San Diego. Now the work begins. On Friday, the Cougars (20-5, 7-1 WCC) will face the winner of Thursday’s match between the No. 3 seed San Diego and the No. 6 seed Saint Mary’s at 1:30 (MDT). BYU defeated both teams during the regular season. With a 19-5 mark in singles play, junior Patrick Kawka and sophomore Francis Sargeant shared the best team sin...

BYU volleyball: Freshman Patch wants national title before adding Elder to his name

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:35:15 MDT

BYU volleyball: Freshman Patch wants national title before adding Elder to his name

by Jay Drew The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Apr 24, 2013 03:35PM MDT

Provo • Like most BYU volleyball players, Ben Patch’s life is a whirlwind right now. Not only is the MPSF Freshman of the Year preparing to play in Thursday’s conference tournament semifinal match against UCLA (8 p.m., BYUtv), he is trying to navigate final exams. The tests “are kicking my butt right now, and I still have two more to take,” the Provo High product said Tuesday. “They are hampering all of us a little bit, but we will be ready to go, and have clear heads, by match time.” Patch also...