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BYU Defeats Wisconsin, Advances To Regional Semifinal Of NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament
Cougars to match up with Florida in quarterfinals.
Dec. 5, 1999 PROVO, Utah (Dec. 4, 1999) - Led by the hitting of sophomore Nina Puikkonen, the BYU women's volleyball team came from behind to defeat Wisconsin 3-1 (6-15, 15-10, 15-4, 15-9) Saturday at the Smith Fieldhouse in Provo, Utah. The win, which improves BYU's record to 28-4, advances the Cougars to the regional semifinal for the fourth straight year. Puikkonen, who was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, lifted the Cougars from a 1-0 deficit to take the next three games and give BYU the victory. She finished the night with 24 kills and a .477 hitting percentage while also contributing seven blocks. The Cougars hit -.080 in the first game which was the first game of the season that saw the Cougars hit a negative team percentage. They bounced back to hit .364 in the second and took the game 15-10. The BYU block was also a strong key to the victory. The Cougars had 20 team blocks to the Badgers' eight. Sophomore Jackie Bundy led both teams with nine blocks and 14 digs. Senior Mari Carpenter, who didn't play in the first round match against Princeton last night because of a sore back, finished with 10 kills and a career-high eight blocks. Freshman Erin Byrd and senior Allyson Ross led the way for the Badgers. Byrd finished the night with a double-double, tallying 12 kills and13 digs. Ross, playing in the final match of her career, ended the night with 11 kills and eight digs.
The Cougars advance to play Florida in the regional semifinal. The Gators defeated Illinois 3-2 to advance. BYU leads the all-time series 3-2 with Florida, but the Gators won the last match between the two teams 3-1 in the Florida Invitational in 1997.
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