BYU All-American Ben Patch hasn’t played for the Cougars since February 4th, but his return could be imminent.
Salt Lake City newspaper the Deseret News says that Patch was warming up with the team before Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Princeton, and “appeared to be able to play.”
“He’s in a spot where he can do a lot more, and we’re at the liberty where we can put him in,” BYU head coach Shawn Olmstead told the paper, indicating that the 3rd-ranked Cougars are planning to ease Patch back into full play.
Patch spoke to USA Volleyball’s BJ Evans about his injury, saying that he’s had a whole different mindset this season.
“I’m really enjoying my change in mindset. I think my first season back from my LDS mission, I really imposed a lot of pressure on myself to be something more than I was. It was a hard mental year last season; but it has completely made me aware of what I am and can be. I really enjoy volleyball again because I’m just worried about doing my job and not the expectations of others, which is really fun. Recently I got a minor injury that takes a bit to heal so that has been hard to accept and deal with. But I’m learning that these things happen and it’s a very real reality that I could get seriously hurt and end my career. I’m really excited to get back and keep on getting better.”
In spite of 6 weeks without their best scorer, BYU has thrived – going 11-0 in that period of time. The Cougars have only four regular season games left, including a pair this weekend, at home, against #1 Long Beach State. The MPSF tournament, with an automatic bid to the 6-team NCAA tournament on the line, begins on April 15th. BYU has clinched hosting duties in the quarterfinals of that toutrnament.
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