In a stunning Big 12 volleyball showdown, unranked Kansas State achieved a historic victory by defeating the No. 4 ranked Texas Longhorns with a clean sweep. This victory marked the end of a long losing streak for Kansas State, which had lost 39 consecutive matches to Texas since 2003. The game, held on Wednesday night, saw Kansas State winning three straight sets (25-22, 25-22, 25-21) against a Texas team that had previously enjoyed a 13-game winning streak. Aliyah Carter spearheaded Kansas State’s offense with 20 kills, while Madisen Skinner led Texas with 14 kills. This remarkable win also marked the fifth time Kansas State has defeated a ranked team this season, a new record in the program’s history. The match was played before an enthusiastic and sold-out crowd of 3,044 fans.
Nebraska Continues Unbeaten Run
Top-ranked Nebraska further solidified its position with a hard-fought victory over Northwestern. Playing at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in front of 8,637 spectators, Nebraska extended its undefeated streak with a four-set win (28-26, 24-26, 25-11, 25-20). Key players Merritt Beason and Harper Murray contributed 13 kills each for Nebraska, while Julia Sangiacomo led Northwestern with 16 kills.
Big Ten and SEC Action
In the Big Ten, Ohio State claimed a victory against Michigan State in a closely contested match (25-22, 26-24, 27-25). Emily Londot stood out for Ohio State with 16 kills, complemented by five aces and 14 digs. Meanwhile, Tylah Holdem led Michigan State with 14 kills.
In SEC play, Kentucky strengthened its lead with a convincing sweep at Auburn (25-14, 25-11, 25-14). Reagan Rutherford and Brooklyn DeLeye were instrumental in Kentucky’s win, registering 14 and 12 kills respectively.
Seton Hall’s Surprising Sweep Over St. John’s
Seton Hall caused an upset in the Big East by sweeping St. John’s in straight sets (25-17, 25-17, 25-20). Despite a modest hitting percentage (.163), Seton Hall’s Bianca Bucciarelli led the team with 11 kills. The win knocked St. John’s out of a three-way tie for first place in the Big East.
Other Noteworthy Matches
- Denver moved into a tie with Omaha atop The Summit League with a five-set victory over the Racers. Cassie Davis and Ava Reynolds were standout performers for Denver.
- In the WAC, Stephen F. Austin, the league leader, sought its 15th consecutive win against second-place Grand Canyon.
- Western Kentucky, holding the top spot in Conference USA, aimed for its 20th consecutive victory against Middle Tennessee.
- The Citadel, leading in the SoCon standings, was idle, while second-place Mercer sought to narrow the gap against Chattanooga.
Upcoming NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Schedule
A highlight of Thursday’s schedule is the Pac-12 clash between Stanford and Oregon. Stanford, ranked No. 3, will host No. 6 Oregon in a pivotal match. Additionally, third-place Arizona State will host Colorado.
The Big 12 features three matches, including a battle to avoid last place between West Virginia and Texas Tech. In the Sun Belt, division leaders Coastal Carolina and Texas State face off in a significant matchup.
Performance Highlights
- Tsvetelina Illieva of Binghamton shone in the MAAC match against Manhattan with 25 kills.
- In the MEAC, Coppin State swept Morgan State, with a notable performance from Paola Calen.
- UC Davis emerged victorious against CSUN in the Big West, led by strong performances from Amara Aimufua and Jade Light.
Conclusion
This week’s NCAA volleyball action showcased a mix of upsets, tight matches, and dominant performances, highlighting the competitive nature of collegiate volleyball. As the season progresses, teams continue to vie for conference supremacy and postseason positions, making each match increasingly critical.
