PROVO — Ben Patch grew up dreaming of being part of BYU men's volleyball team. So now that he's there, playing a big role as the team's primary opposite, it's understandable he's having the time of his life.
"It's so fun. That's really all I can say. It's just so fun right now. Period," Patch said after finishing practice on Tuesday.
Adding significantly to Patch's enjoyment is his team's recent success. After incurring a couple of early-season hiccups, the Cougars have rebounded to win six straight and currently stand as the No. 2-ranked team nationally with a 10-2 overall record.
As for Patch, he's largely met many of the expectations placed on him as a sophomore coming off mission service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Those expectations were largely due to how he performed as a freshman as part of BYU's 2013 team, a squad that fell just one game short of a national championship.
Patch started every match as a true freshman, receiving national honors as the AVCA Newcomer of the Year and the MPSF freshman of the year, among other awards.
This year, as a second-year player, the Provo High product has managed to improve his dominant net play, but perhaps more importantly, he's gotten better in all facets of his game.
"It's been good, it's been really good," said BYU coach Shawn Olmstead on Patch's improving play this season. "Overall his offense is really good, his defense is improving, and that's a big deal for him. He's really working hard to improve his defense. His progression is just what we (anticipated), if not better."
Patch's play is far from perfect, however, as noted quickly by both Olmstead and Patch himself. The biggest area for growth would be a consistent serve, an aspect of his game that has proven inconsistent so far in his career.
"He's working on his serve and I don't understand the holdup, honestly, and I don't know if he does," Olmstead said.
According to Patch, it's all about getting his mentality right.
"I'm struggling with it, but it's not a skill thing, it's a mental thing," Patch said. "I'm willing to expose that because it is what it is. I need to be better there and I'm working very hard on it. It's a big focus of mine this year."
As for his play at the net, it's hard to poke holes in Patch's performance.
When you stand 6-foot-9, with a more than adequate vertical leap, your abilities at the net are evident.
"You kind of see the world from a whole different vantage point," Olmstead said of Patch's play at the net. "You see the block at a different angle and he's just really comfortable knowing that if he hits the ball at full extension, he's not going to get blocked."
Patch currently leads the team with 142 kills with an impressive .357 hitting percentage, second on the team to Price Jarman (.528 and 62 kills.)
Should Patch continue to improve all facets of his game, most feel his potential is as high as some of the best players who've passed through the program, including Taylor Sander, whom Patch played alongside as a true freshman.
"I'm not trying to be like Taylor, but I'm definitely trying to take some of the things he did so well and include those things into my own game," Patch said. "Taylor's confidence was a big key for him and that's probably the main thing I'm trying to emulate. Sometimes I'm too timid, but I think as I work to become a better all-around player that the confidence will come with it."
"Ben has a ways to go to be the player Taylor Sander was, and he knows that. But with what he has athletically, there's no question he has the potential," Olmstead added. "It's just him figuring out his own path and his own way to get to that point, but I think he'll get there if he continues to work like he has."
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney