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BYU's Sophia Callahan (22) leads the team in celebrating a point in a women's college volleyball match against Farleigh Dickinson at the Smith Fieldhouse on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald

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BYU's Sophia Callahan rises up for a block against Farleigh Dickinson in a women's college volleyball match in the Smith Fieldhouse on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU women's volleyball players celebrate a point against Farleigh Dickinson in a match at the Smith Fieldhouse on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU'S Suli Davis takes a swing against Farleigh Dickinson in a women's college volleyball match at the Smith Fieldhouse on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's Sophia Callahan (22) and Brielle Kemavor reach for a block against Farleigh Dickinson in a women's college volleyball match at the Smith Fieldhouse on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald

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BYU's Sophia Callahan takes a swing against Farleigh Dickinson in a women's college volleyball match at the Smith Fieldhouse on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald

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As expected, the Big 12 women’s volleyball favorites from BYU showed off their powerful offense in the first match of the doTerra Classic on Friday afternoon.

Freshman phenom Suli Davis was as advertised in her debut, leading the No. 19 Cougars with 13 kills and hitting .458 in a sweep (25-16, 25-12, 25-15) of Farleigh Dickinson at the Smith Fieldhouse. Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year Claire Little Chambers sat out most of the third set but still finished with eight kills and hit .353.

And then there was Sophia Callahan.

The junior returned missionary was a surprise starter at opposite hitter and was fantastic, contributing six kills on 11 swings with zero errors (.545) along with two aces, three digs and three block assists against the Knights.

“Sophia is just so passionate about being part of this group and wanting to help our team,” BYU head coach Heather Olmstead said. “She’s shown that every single day. So I’m not surprised by how she looked today. That’s what she’s been doing for the most part in practices. I’m happy for her. She’s really been a leader since she got back.”

The 6-foot- 2 Callahan — originally from Encinitas, Calif. — was a reserve for the Cougars in 2021 and 2022, playing in 39 matches and totaling 84 kills before serving a church mission to Arequipa, Peru. She returned in January and set to work getting into shape.

“Volleyball is actually like riding a bike,” Callahan said. “I got back to volleyball pretty quickly, it was just the strength. Working in the weight room, it took a little bit of time. Now I feel like I did before and it’s good. It took the whole offseason and staying for the summer to get back in shape and I’ve still got to get stronger.”

After winning the first set against FDU 25-16, the Cougars really got into a good offensive groove in Set 2, hitting a sizzling .560 with four kills each from Davis, Little Chambers and Callahan. Davis had a kills for a 15-6 lead and Callahan scored on two attacks to get BYU to 22-12. The final three points were highlighted by a combo block between Callahan and Brielle Kemavor, sandwiched around a pair of aces from Little Chambers, for the victory and 2-0 lead in the match.

The Cougars continued to score efficiently in Set 3, hitting .478. The BYU lead reached 11-6 on a Hannah Billeter ace and it was 23-14 when Billeter came around again for another ace serve. At match point, Davis pounded down her 13th kill for the winner.

“It’s exciting to be back in the Smith Fieldhouse,” Olmstead said. “We had a great crowd for an afternoon game on a Friday. I thought we had focus and had fun. We brought great energy. It was a great match for us to open up with. We did a lot of good stuff. We served and passed well and Alex (Bower) ran a great offense.”

Bower wasn’t messing around, putting together a terrific first set with seven assists, three aces, five digs and three block assists. She finished with 29 assists.

The Cougars (1-0) ended up with eight blocks (to zero for FDU) and 13 aces while holding the Knights to a .048 hitting percentage.

“I love this group,” Callahan said. “It’s completely different than the group I played with before. I just think everybody is so feisty, assertive and competitive. But we’re all just family. We love each other so much and we’re a big sisterhood. We’re rooting for each other and making each other better every day.

“I could not be happier playing with these girls. They show up consistently and show up ready, which is so fun and contagious. It was electric (at the Smith Fieldhouse). Honestly, it made me emotional. I forgot what it felt to play here. I had to calm myself because I was so excited. But it was awesome.”

BYU was scheduled to play Central Michigan on Friday evening and will conclude the Classic with a match against High Point at 4 p.m. MT on Saturday.