BYU faces a difficult test Friday and Saturday when third-ranked and defending national champion UCLA visits Provo for a pair of 7 p.m. matches.

That the Cougars are winning is not unusual. They are perennial national contenders.

What makes their early success worth noting is the coaching staff. BYU has co-head coaches, Shawn Patchell and Ryan Millar, who are in their positions on an interim basis and have been since August when Tom Peterson resigned.

Peterson was hired in 2002, following Carl McGown, who had won two national titles. Peterson won a national championship in 2004 and resigned with a 90-30 record over four seasons at BYU.

Patchell and Millar have deep BYU roots and have been part of championship teams. Millar was on the 30-1 national championship team of 1999, while Patchell was an assistant coach in 2004.

"We are trying to do the best we can," Millar said. "We are two different coaches with different styles that complement each other. We are two head coaches. We don't divide responsibilities."

Talent has helped in the transition. With Yosleyder Cala and Ivan Perez, BYU has arguably two of the best outside hitters in the country. The Cougars are deep in at middle blocker, including All-American team captain Russell Holmes.

Setter and libero were question marks - especially setter with the loss of two-year starter Rob Neilson. Early on, Yamil Perez has been solid at setter.

Meanwhile, freshman Robby Stowell has 37 kills in two matches, which helps make coaching a bit easier.

"We are making it [the coaching situation] work," Patchell said. "When we see something that needs to be addressed at any level in the program, we take initiative and take care of it."

Utah women's basketball

Utah sophomore forward Joh-Teena Filipe (Salt Lake City) was selected the Mountain West Conference women's basketball player of the week as the Utes opened the MWC season 2-0. In two games, Filipe scored 25 points and averaged 7.5 rebounds. She had 10 points in Utah's first win against New Mexico in Albuquerque in six season. Thursday against San Diego State, Filipe scored nine second-half points, including seven straight free throws, to lift Utah out of a 27-16 halftime deficit. She finished the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds, earning her third double-double of the season.

USU women's basketball

Utah State junior guard Taylor Richards (West Valley City) earned her first Western Athletic Conference player of the week award as USU went 1-1 to open WAC play. Richards scored a career-high 28 points, including 17 in the second half, as the Aggies upset Fresno State, 81-75, in overtime Saturday. She also had four assists to become USU's career leader. In Thursday's 80-70 loss to Boise State, Richards posted 11 points, five assists and three steals.

martyr@sltrib.com