Playing for BYU's volleyball coach was far down the list of awkward situations that three Utah athletes encountered during a recent tour of Japan as they competed in seven matches.
Ute hitters Dani Drews and Kenzie Koerber and setter Saige Kaahaaina-Torres played for the U.S. Women's Collegiate National Team that was coached by BYU's Heather Olmstead (the Cougars' Heather Gneiting also competed) and went 1-5-1 against four Japanese teams.
Adjusting to new teammates, scrappy opponents and unusual food were among the challenges the Utes cited, while they enjoyed the cultural experience and learned aspects of volleyball that they can apply to Pac-12 matches.