Conference Play Begins
College and High School Volleyball Teams Begin Conference Play After Mixed Nonconference Seasons
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Key Points
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UTRGV is still seeking its first true road victory of the season. The Vaqueros have won the last three meetings with McNeese, including a 3-0 victory in Lake Charles last year, and McNeese enters the match ranked fourth nationally in digs per set at 17.37.
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Powell overcame a 24-22 deficit in the fourth set against Worland by scoring four consecutive points to win 26-24. Coach Anna Flitner credited the team’s improved mental toughness and ability to fight back from deficits.
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LSU’s five-set comeback over Tulsa included a season-high 14 blocks, with middle blocker Sanaa Donaie recording a career-best eight. The Tigers have produced double-digit blocks in seven matches and are currently on a five-match streak of doing so.
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Southern Idaho began its weekend tournament with five-set victories over No. 8 Trinity Valley and Eastern Wyoming before losing to Odessa College and No. 1 Miami Dade College. The Golden Eagles will play Utah State-Eastern twice at home, on Sept. 25 and 26.
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Youngstown State went 3-1 at home, 0-3 on the road and 1-3 at neutral sites during nonconference play, including five-set losses to Marshall and Ohio State. Transfer outside hitter Surratt ranks among the Horizon League’s top three in points, kills and aces per set and produced 34 kills against Marshall.
College and high school volleyball teams across the nation are jumping into conference play with mixed form. UTRGV, the defending Southland Conference regular-season champion, arrives at McNeese with a 4-7 record after a rough 1-2 tournament showing, while LSU opens SEC play at home against Alabama featuring the nation's top offensive weapon in Jurnee Robinson and a defense ranked among the conference's best.
High school action is also heating up. Powell High School opened 3A West conference play 2-0, including a dramatic four-set win over Worland where the team rallied from a 24-22 deficit in the fourth set to win 26-24, showcasing improved mental toughness under coach Anna Flitner.
McNeese's Defensive Strength Tests UTRGV's Road Struggles
UTRGV has not yet won a true road game this season, making its trip to McNeese a crucial test. The Vaqueros have dominated this matchup recently, winning three straight including a 3-0 shutout in Lake Charles last year. However, McNeese enters ranked fourth nationally in digs per set at 17.37, giving the home team a formidable defensive wall to break through.
LSU's Blocking Dominance Sets Tone for Alabama Matchup
LSU's defense has been suffocating opponents in recent matches. The Tigers posted a season-high 14 blocks in a five-set comeback win over Tulsa, with middle blocker Sanaa Donaie recording a career-best eight blocks. LSU has now produced double-digit blocks in seven matches and is riding a five-match streak of reaching that mark, while Jurnee Robinson leads the nation in offensive production.
Southern Idaho Aims for Consistency After Uneven Tournament
College of Southern Idaho, ranked No. 12 in the NJCAA, is 11-4 after a mixed weekend showing. The Golden Eagles earned five-set victories over No. 8 Trinity Valley and Eastern Wyoming but fell to Odessa College and No. 1 Miami Dade College. Southern Idaho opens SWAC play at home, hosting Utah State-Eastern on both September 25 and 26 to build momentum.
Youngstown State Seeks Road Success Behind Surratt's Firepower
Youngstown State struggled on the road during nonconference play, going 0-3 away from home but 3-1 at home. Transfer outside hitter Surratt has been the team's engine, ranking among the Horizon League's top three in points, kills and aces per set. Surratt produced 34 kills in a five-set loss to Marshall, showing he can compete at a high level even in defeats as the team opens Horizon League play at Robert Morris.
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