BYU Defeats Princeton In First Round Of NCAA Volleyball Tournament

Cougars face Wisconsin tonight in Provo.

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Dec. 4, 1999

PROVO, Utah (Dec. 3, 1999) - Led by sophomore Nina Puikkonen, the BYU women's volleyball team advanced to the second round of the NCAA National Tournament by defeating Princeton 3-0 (15-5, 15-5, 15-5) Friday at the Smith Fieldhouse in Provo, Utah.

Puikkonen, the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, led the Cougars (27-4) with 19 kills while ending the night with a .515 attack percentage. She also finished the night with a match-high 7 blocks.

The Cougars used their size to hit over the Princeton block all night. BYU finished with a .494 team hitting percentage while the Tigers were unable to record a block the entire night. Five Cougars hit over .500 with Jackie Bundy ending the night with a match-high .545 percentage.

BYU senior Caroline Bower, who was playing with a brace to relieve stiffness in her back, led the Cougar defense with 14 digs. Setter Anna-Lena Smith finished with 43 assists and five kills of her own.

Princeton, who finishes its season with a 23-7 record, was led by freshman Michelle Buffum. Buffum finished the night with 14 kills and two service aces.

The Cougars advance to play Wisconsin in the second round Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Smith Fieldhouse. Wisconsin earned the second round match by defeating Arizona State 3-0 in the first match Friday.

Quote sheet:

BYU Coach Elaine Michaelis:
"It's nice to get your first NCAA game over. It was fun to play, we had a good week of practice and to go out and play well especially at the NCAA's is a lot of fun."

"Princeton brings with it a lot of tradition. It's fun to meet people in other parts of the country. They did some nice things, at times they got hits through our block and saved a couple of tough balls."

(on BYU's size advantage in keeping Princeton w/out a block)
"Size has a lot to do with it. Not only are we tall but we can jump well, which puts us above most blocks."

"We're good. We just don't realize how good we are."

Sunny Tonga, Outside Hitter, BYU
"I think Princeton did some very good things against us. They had some good touches off blocks."

"We have the talent to take us to the Final Four, but it will be our chemistry that will make the difference. We've been working a lot on our chemistry."

Nina Puikkonen, Middle Blocker, BYU
"We going to be ready for (Wisconsin). They're a good team. We're looking forward to a great match."

Melissa Layton, Middle Blocker, BYU
(on serving seven straight points in the second game)
"It's easy to get into a rhythm when you can serve more than once in a row. It was really good for me. I'm happy."

Princeton Coach Glenn Nelson
"We don't face that kind of size, quickness, and attack all year long. For us to play against a team with that kind of physical talent, we made way too many mistakes."

"Their setter did a great job, but even without her, they still would have hit over us."

Erika Hansen, Outside Hitter, Princeton
"There wasn't a whole lot we could do to prepare for this team except play against Coach. We just wanted to play hard."

"We passed pretty well for the most part and I guess I would say our defense was our strength. We slumped a little in the beginning because we thought, 'Hey, we can play with these people,' then they had some good kills and we got intimidated."

Melissa Ford, Setter, Princeton
"Every point is a victory for us and just to be here is a honor."

"Even their defensive specialists were two or three taller than us."