On Tuesday after practice, BYU men's volleyball coach Ryan Millar demonstrated the trick plays Boise State used to upset Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

So, Millar knows football. BYU also hopes he knows volleyball and can teach it to the Cougars. The two-time Olympian, along with six-year assistant Shawn Patchell, bears the unwieldy title of "interim co-head coach" for the 2007 season. After Tom Peterson resigned abruptly in August, Millar and Patchell were picked to take his place - at least this season. BYU Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe said he would conduct a search for a new head coach following the 2007 season.

The Cougars were selected second in the 2007 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation preseason rankings and No. 2 in the nation in the first AVCA/USA Today poll.

So, no pressure.

"It's nice to be respected, but we told the team it (a high ranking) doesn't mean anything," Patchell said.

Exhibit A that rankings are meaningless? UCLA had 12 losses in 2006 and was the No. 8 seed going into the MPSF tournament, but the Bruins ran the table and beat Penn State for the NCAA title.

"We want to go to Columbus, Ohio," Patchell said. "That's all we've talked about."

Columbus is the site of the 2007 NCAA Final Four, a place BYU has been four times since 1999. The Cougars won the 1999, 2001 and 2004 national titles but have exited the MPSF tournament in the first round the past two seasons. Last year's team, which was ranked No. 1 at one point, lost its final five matches. It would be a fair assessment to say BYU underachieved.

Junior outside hitter Ivan Perez said this year, things will be different.

"We have new coaches, a new team and a new attitude," Perez said. "We've been training really hard and we're ready. We're not just playing to win; we're playing to prove people wrong. We know this could be the best team in the nation. People aren't being selfish and being on the team in more of a privilege now."

Key Losses: BYU must replace setter Rob Neilson (13.11 assists per game), middle blocker Victor Batista (a three-year starter), libero Brian Rowley and outside hitter Taylor Evans. The transition from Peterson to Millar and Patchell should be smooth because both are very familiar with the program. But there could be some internal adjustments early in the season.

Outside Hitter: It would be difficult to find two more emotional and talented outside hitters than Perez (6-4) and sophomore Yosleyder Cala (6-8). Perez blasted 3.66 kills per game in 2006 and will be starting for his third straight season. Cala, who defected from Cuba two years ago, averaged a team-best 4.01 kills per game and hit .359 in his first season.

Millar and Patchell said Cala has barely scratched the surface of his immense talent, and with an off-season of hard work, could become one of the more dominant players in the country.

Former Orem basketball standout Mat Taylor (6-6 Fr.) and Andrew Stewart (6-6 Fr.) are practicing well and could push for playing time.

Opposite Hitter: Bryan Stewart (6-5 Sr.) is expected to fill this role but has a wrist injury that may slow him down early in the season. Freshman standout Robby Stowell (6-7) from Newport Beach, Calif., will get an opportunity to contribute right away.

"Robby is playing great and has come a long way," Millar said. "It's great for a young kid to come in and play well. He's very physical. We're very happy with what he's doing."

Jonathan Charette (6-2 Sr.) played in 27 games at opposite and averaged 2.23 kills per game in 2006 but will redshirt this season.

Middle Blocker: BYU returns one of the top middles in the county in junior Russell Holmes (6-8). Holmes was selected as a second team All-American last year while averaging 2.40 kills and 1.49 blocks per game.

"Russell is, in my opinion, the best middle in the nation," said Millar, who plays the same position for the U.S. national team. "He has the total package and is our team captain and leader on the court."

Trent Sorensen (6-7 Jr.) and Brazilian Rodnei Santos (6-6 Fr.) will battle it out for the other middle position.

Setter: Nielson was a two-year starter and one of BYU's most consistent players. Injuries and lack of experience at this position could be an issue. Brian Congelliere (6-2 Jr.), Nielson's primary backup in 2006, has been slowed by injuries and Reed Chilton (6-3 Fr.) is out for at least two months with injury. Chip Neff (6-4 So.) and Yamil Perez (6-1 Fr.) are also in the mix and will get a look.

Libero: Redshirt freshman Andy Pompei (5-10) will try to replace Rowley, a two-year starter. Brazilian Leandro Justen (6-1 Jr.) will back up Pompei.

Outlook: BYU opens the 2007 season with two home matches against Cal Baptist, the three-time NAIA national champions. Cal Baptist lost to No. 1 UC Irvine 3-1 on Wednesday but is certainly capable of pulling of an upset. Last year's NAIA Final Four MVP, Shamsu Awadu, led Cal Baptist with 20 kills.

"They get a lot of foreign players and it will be a good test," Millar said.

Then there's no time to rest as the Cougars host defending national champion UCLA in the Smith Fieldhouse on Jan. 12 and 13.

"It'll be rockin'," Millar said. "I've got great memories of playing UCLA in the Fieldhouse."

BYU will play the other national finalist, Penn State, at a tournament in Hawaii later in January. The Cougars also get top-ranked UC Irvine and MPSF powers Hawaii and Long Beach State in Provo this season.

Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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