In March 2020, it may just be the biggest culprit in the BYU 2022 men’s volleyball season struggle.
That spring, the change to COVID-19 will affect every part of our daily lives and society. When you do–in the meantime, the world of sports may wonder how much it leaves behind and things that are upside down may return to normal.
If the season ended abruptly, BYU remained in the 17-1 record and the first national ranking. If I had to be awarded the title of Cougar, I was wondering some, in preference to the conclusion that it was premature in the season.
Others like BYU’s Sean Olmsted coach felt it wasn’t right.
“Three-quarters of the kind season was played in 2020, so it was actually in an informal poll sent out among coaches to the awards and national championships,” he said. “I voted against it just because I didn’t think it was fair to the team that had the chance to win the national championship that hadn’t had COVID yet all that had stopped it.
“It’s great that we’ve always kept on top of it and finished the season in first place, but you didn’t have to compete for something. I don’t want to award. I believe in the value of competition. I believe the team can continue to improve throughout the season. That’s what we all are trying to do. Often a little more. This will take some time.”
When the tournament resumed in the fall, college athletes were qualified for one year. This allowed the school to win both the MPSF Regular Season title and the League Tournament Championship, making BYU the 2021 banner season.
But these glorious moments undoubtedly upset the 2022 season, hampered Cougar’s growth, and forced a featureless struggle this year.
Last season, Cougars was led by seven seniors. This season, the roster is full of 11 freshmen.
“Last year’s team was canceled and was a whole bunch of COVID and the elderly for the last five years of the season because of the back,” said redshirt freshman Teon Taylor. “They had a lot of veteran experience and they played volleyball for a long time.”
One can’t help, but the inexperienced 2022 BYU team may have more COVID-loading a cougar roster with 19-year-old seniors and not ending the 2020 season. I do not think.
Even so, Taylor and his teammates will remain focused on what they can do at the moment this season. “I think we’re trying to focus on what we’re doing here,” he said. “We are trying to be a place where we have our feet, play books and learn from last season’s examples.”
The starting middle blocker keeps his former Cougars teammates tab in the hope of drawing from their experience. “This year I talked to many of them …. Last year (from) those guys are really good about helping us this year and giving advice to all of our young guys. “
Taylor recognizes that if the team wants to reach the standards set by last year’s cougar, they need to continue learning.
“I think it’s just cool and coaches are to see us innovative in the way they’re trying to coach young guys,” he said. “They have to teach us a lot. I don’t understand as well as older people.”
These old players used their experience to achieve great things at BYU. Today’s cougars are giving a glimpse of what their future can hold enough experience and hard work, while adding its greatness, potentially the pain of extra growth to this season.
“Last year’s team grew up together,” Taylor said. “They have played with each other for years. They knew each other really well. They had really good chemistry and really high self-belief.
“For us, this year is very young, I am excited. I think for us this year, the sky is limited and we will move forward in the future. We are so young, we It’s up to us who like to make it. We can do whatever we set our minds on. “
After waiting for the extra season, many of BYU’s young players have their first chance on the court. 2021 may have added to the pain of cougar growth this year, but they are finally gaining experience.
Better slower than never.
