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The NCAA News - News and FeaturesThe NCAA News -- May 24, 1999 First time a charm for Brigham Young in men's volleyball
The top-ranked Cougars made quick work of No. 2 Long Beach State, winning the match in three games, 15-9, 15-7, 15-10. It was Brigham Young's first tournament appearance. The Cougars are only the second non-California team to claim the title. The Cougars won the first two games with ease before finding themselves down, 7-0, in the third. Brigham Young staged a comeback to tie the score at seven and the game see-sawed to a 10-7 lead for Long Beach State. A service ace by Brigham Young's Mac Wilson and a block by Rich Lambourne and Ryan Millar knotted the score at 10. The Cougars took the lead they never relinquished on a kill from Millar. Match point was won on a kill from the tournament's most outstanding player, Ossie Antonetti, who finished with a match-high 22 kills. Brigham Young's blocking was the difference in the match. The Cougars finished with 23.5 blocks compared to the 49ers' 11.5. The 49ers hit .156 for the match and .000 in the second game. Brigham Young earned its shot for the title and the chance to avenge its March 19 loss to the 49ers by defeating Penn State in the semifinals, 10-15, 15-4, 15-11, 15-5. Antonetti led the way for the Cougars with 24 kills and 14 digs. The Nittany Lions, the only other non-California team to win the championship, struggled with 20 serving errors. Long Beach State subdued Indiana/Purdue-Fort Wayne in the second semifinal match. The Mastodons forced the match to five games before succumbing to the 49ers, 15-11, 10-15, 8-15, 15-2, 15-13. Along with Antonetti, Millar was named to the all-tournament team for Brigham Young. Chris Seiffert and David McKienzie were selected from Long Beach State, along with Jose Quinones of Penn State and Scott Lane from Indiana/Purdue-Fort Wayne.
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Brigham Young avenged its only loss of the season and claimed its first National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship with a sweep of Long Beach State May 8 in Los Angeles.