BYU protects 4-year streak in win over St. Thomas Aquinas

For a third straight season, BYU needed just three sets to beat the first opponent it saw in the Smith Fieldhouse.

This year the Cougars preyed on St. Thomas Aquinas, beating the Spartans Friday night by set scores of 25-11, 25-14 and 25-21. BYU overwhelmed St. Thomas Aquinas, outpacing its visitor by 23 kills, 21 assists and nine service aces.

With the win, BYU kept alive its current home opener win streak, earning a fourth consecutive victory in such contests and its fifth in the last six seasons.

Special Collector's Issue: "1984: The Year BYU was Second to None"

Get an inclusive look inside BYU Football's 1984 National Championship season.

Buy Now

The two programs had never met before Friday, and in a blink of an eye would have left viewers none the wiser, the Cougars making quick work of the Spartans.

BYU senior outside hitter Luke Benson was a big part of that, putting together team highs in kills (14) and service aces (3), while also tallying a pair of blocks.

However, the impressive pin-hitter proved he was still human in an interview following the match.

“I was pretty nervous when we started,” Benson said. “Just the eagerness to get back in here and get going in front of everyone … you can feel it in your stomach.

“It gets you going ... but then once you kind of get into it and you realize, ‘Oh, I’ve done this before. I know this place,’ then you really start to get flowing.”

1 of 20

2 of 20

3 of 20

4 of 20

5 of 20

6 of 20

7 of 20

8 of 20

9 of 20

10 of 20

11 of 20

12 of 20

13 of 20

14 of 20

15 of 20

16 of 20

17 of 20

18 of 20

19 of 20

20 of 20

St. Thomas Aquinas started the match on a good note by scoring the first two points of the initial set, but BYU abruptly brought an end to the Spartans’ quick start, bursting past its visitors with the next four points and holding them to a meager nine points the rest of the set and winning with ease.

Benson’s serving then propelled the Cougars to another comfortable victory in the second set. Benson led BYU on multiple runs, keeping it far ahead of the Spartans.

All told, the hard-hitting senior was on the service line 11 different times in the set, ultimately garnering all three of his service aces in that span.

Benson attributed his success to his preparation leading up to the match.

“I actually came in yesterday and worked with my wife and just got some words to kind of solidify … a good, repeatable routine,” he said. “I can just do (that) every time, over and over.”

The third set was not a repeat of the first two, staying much closer until the Cougars finally pulled away after falling down 15-16. BYU outscored St. Thomas Aquinas 10-5 to close out the set and earn its first sweep of the young season.

The match was the first of the year for the Spartans, while the Cougars entered Friday with two wins to their name, both of which came on the road over No. 11 Ohio State last weekend.

BYU will look to remain unbeaten on the year when it faces a regrouped St. Thomas Aquinas in a rematch Saturday evening. Cougars head coach Shawn Olmstead is focused on how his team can continue improving now in the thick of the season.

“This is a team that, us playing at our level, we’re going to be able to … take care of business,” he said. “Us playing our game, improving upon us is the most important thing.”

The Cougars and the Spartans will compete in the Smith Fieldhouse, with start time set for 7 p.m.