Volleyball is Back
Ohio State, Washington, UNLV, BYU provide early season prime contests for fans
The 2021 college volleyball season kicks off this weekend. Let's take a look at some of the matches that are taking place around the nation.
Ohio State will host Northern Kentucky and Washington this weekend. The Buckeyes start the season on August 27, against Northern Kentucky. Ohio State is led by opposite hitter Emily Londot, who paced the Buckeye offense in kills with an average of 4.07 per set. The 6-3 sophomore from Utica, Ohio was one of four Buckeyes that played a season high 81 sets. Junior setter Mac Podraza also returns as she led Ohio State with an average of 10.9 assists per set. The Buckeyes finished the season at 16-4 and will open with both contests at Nationwide Arena.
Washington travels to Columbus, Ohio as the number four ranked team in the NCAA. The Huskies completed last season with a record of 20-4, where they lost in the Final Four to eventual champ Kentucky. The Huskies are led by 6-4 Samantha Drechsel who is a senior from Woodinville, Washington. Drechsel averaged 3.53 kills per set. Senior Lauren Sanders recorded the most blocks for Washington. The 6-4 middle blocker registered 1.21 blocks per set.
Washington will open the season against Ohio University on August 27, before its matchup against Ohio State on August 28. Ohio will do battle with Northern Kentucky on August 28. The Bobcats of Ohio finished last season at 12-8. Senior Lauren Park is a 6-1 outside hitter who is Ohio's top returning hitter. She was the team's top hitter with an average of 3.78 kills per set. Northern Kentucky went 9-5 last season. Senior Anna Brinkmann was the top hitter for the Norse with 3.52 kills per set.
UNLV will start its season with three contests in the Doterra Classic. On August 27, the Rebels will face Long Island University before taking on Southern Utah and the 15th ranked host, BYU.
Last season UNLV finished 13-1, with its only loss coming in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, also to eventual champ Kentucky. Mariena Hayden is back after leading the Rebels with 4.29 kills per game. Setters Arien Fafard and Lauryn Burt return after doing a strong job sharing duties last season. Sophomore Farfard averaged 5.85 assists per set, while Burt tallied 5.35 assists per set.
Long Island went 8-6 last season behind talented outside hitter Korlina Nova. The 5-10 athlete from the Czech Republic averaged 4.04 kills per set. Senior libero Anastasia Scott, from Jacksonville, Florida, collected an average of 5.53 digs comes back to lead the Sharks on defense. Southern Utah finished 9-8 as senior Andreanna McKee returns after leading the squad with 2.70 kills per set.
BYU is back after a strong 17-2 record last season, which ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Wisconsin. The team was led by 6-3 senior Taylen Ballard-Nixon, who is an outside hitter from Clovis, California. Junior setter Whitney Bower was the top assist getter for BYU last season. At 5-9, the Nampa, Idaho native led BYU with 10.73 assists per set. BYU finished last season without losing a game at home, going 7-0.
Other Games to Watch
August 27
North Carolina A&T vs Samford
Rider at Temple
Delaware at Temple
George Washington at Howard
American vs Georgetown
Loyola Marymount at Purdue
Marquette vs Texas A&M
Fairfield at Hawaii
August 28
Samford at Clemson
North Carolina A&T at Clemson
Temple at Stanford
Georgetown at Howard
American at George Mason
Kansas vs Loyola Marymount
Texas A&M vs Fairfield
Marquette at Hawaii
August 29
UCLA at UC Davis
George Washington vs Georgetown
George Mason at Howard
Kansas at Purdue
Marquette vs Fairfield
Texas A&M at Hawaii
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