Seventh-Ranked Cougars Set For Season-Opener

PROVO -- The seventh-ranked BYU men's volleyball team will officially kickoff the 2001 season with a pair of home matches against LaVerne on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 19-20 in the Smith Fieldhouse. Match times are slated for 7 p.m. (MST).

The Cougars will be playing in their first regular-season match of the season, while LaVerne has posted a 1-1 mark on the season. The Leopards lost to Cal State Northridge in three straight games to open the season, 30-32, 24-30, 15-30. On Jan. 12, LaVerne rebounded to knock off D'Youville 30-24, 32-34, 37-35, 30-28. LaVerne won the 1999 NCAA Division III National Championship -- the same year BYU won the Division I National Title.

"Since we had a couple schools on our schedule drop their volleyball programs, we were forced to find a couple opponents," McGown said. "LaVerne is a nice team and will give us a good match. We appreciate them being willing to come to Provo and play us. I think having the 1999 Division-Three champions against the 1999 Division-one champions will make a nice match."

Following Saturday's match, senior All-American Hector Lebron and junior outside hitter Joaquin Acosta will be in-studio guests for KUTV's Talkin' Sports with David James. The program will be broadcast live, beginning at 10:30 p.m. (MST) on Ch. 2 in the Salt Lake City area.