Matches to Watch This Week in NCAA Women’s Volleyball
Tune in to these five matches this week, September 14th - September 20th if you want to catch this exciting NCAA Women’s College Volleyball season.
The NCAA Women’s College Volleyball season has been thrilling so far, and this week offers even more exciting match-ups.
Wednesday, September 16 at 18:00 Central Daylight Time (CDT)
The Creighton Bluejays take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln, Nebraska. This match will be held at Nebraska’s sold-out basketball stadium, the Pinnacle Bank Arena, which seats approximately 15,290 excited Nebraska fans. Creighton will certainly have a challenge taking on the #1 team in the country at their home, but Nebraska has proved they are not infallible, losing their first set of the season to unranked Georgia Tech last week. The Bluejays will be hungry for a comeback after a loss to unranked Rice on Sunday.
Pay attention to Trinity Shadd-Ceres, an explosive outside hitter for Creighton who will test Nebraska’s defense. Also look for Bergen Reilly, Nebraska’s setter, running unexpected plays and establishing herself in the front row to hold Creighton’s tough block.
Thursday, September 17 at 14:30 Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
The Arizona State Sun Devils came into this season underrated, but have quickly risen through the rankings and shown their skill. They’ve pulled off big wins against teams like Texas and Minnesota and are currently on a two-match win streak. Stanford, however, suffered big losses to Texas A&M and Penn State University, where team morale dropped and the team’s sterling record was shaken. Stanford looks to triumph in their next game against a ranked opponent to prove that they still deserve a top-5 ranking.
Watch for Arizona State’s powerful pin hitters, especially all-American opposite Noemie Glover and transfer outside Una Vajagić. On Stanford’s side, check the setter – will head coach Kevin Hambly use his previous starter in sophomore Logan Parks, or switch to junior transfer Lilly Wagner like in their last matches against Penn State and Ohio?
Marquette vs #6 Wisconsin
Thursday, September 17 at 19:00 Central Daylight Time (CDT)
Though they remain unranked, the Marquette Golden Eagles have made a habit of challenging top-10 teams to an unforeseen battle. In their season opener, Marquette pushed Texas to a thrilling five-set match, and later in the season took a set off of Stanford. With the Wisconsin Badgers’ recent struggles, Marquette must sense an opportunity for an upset. Wisconsin lost to Texas on Sunday, evening their overall record to four wins and four losses. Coach Kelly Sheffield has big decisions on Wisconsin’s lineup to be made, so we could see him experiment against Marquette as he looks to cement a starting lineup.
Follow Marquette’s freshman setter, Luanna Markus, as she looks to develop her playmaking ability against a high-level program. For Wisconsin, fans are hopeful that coach Sheffield will start all-American middle Jaela Auguste, who has been cleared for play after an injury saw her sit out the past few games.
#17 Tennessee v South Florida
Saturday, September 19 at 13:00 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
After losing impactful players to the transfer portal, the Tennessee Lady Volunteers are rebuilding strong with a successful start to their season. Their only loss has come to #2 Pittsburgh, with Tennessee recording dominant victories over their other opponents. However, South Florida, despite being unranked, have established themselves as an exciting team to watch. They’ve battled with top teams like Kentucky and Stanford, but after a run of losses need to secure a win to turn their season around.
Tennessee’s Jalyn Stout has been on a fiery streak, recording a season-high 17 kills against her former team Coastal Carolina. Also look for consistent passing from South Florida’s freshman libero Sofija Djordjevic, who was the best receiver in all of Division I volleyball in only her first week competing at the college level.
Sunday, September 20 at 15:00 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
The Louisville Cardinals are on a dominant eight-match win streak and head to Lexington with momentum on their side. Kentucky, however, faltered last week in their match against Southern Methodist University. The Wildcats will be looking for a cleaner match against Louisville after recording 41 errors against SMU. Louisville wants to continue their win streak and earn a victory over a top-three team after losing to Pittsburgh earlier this season.
Louisville’s middles, Brooke Bultema and Addison Makun, will look to shut down Kentucky’s strong hitters with plenty of blocks. Count on some high-energy plays and defiant digs from Kentucky’s libero, Molly Tuozzo.
Article written by Hadleigh Bolton
