Every day at VolleyMob we will preview several of the most notable and interesting matches in NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball. We will offer an inside look at some of those top matchups each day as we carry along through the 2017 season.
We wrap up week eight after two action-packed days of volleyball. In total, eight ranked teams finish out the week on the day with seven more teams ‘on the cusp’ in the latest VolleyMob Top 25 Power Rankings also in action. Our match of the day comes from two of those 15 as the SEC presents us with a top-10 matchup.
*Note: VolleyMob Top 25 Power Rankings is utilized for a team’s ranking
*The entire week’s schedule can be seen here.
THE BIG MATCH:
#9 Kentucky (15-2, 6-0) at #1 Florida (14-0, 6-0) – 1 pm ET
- How to follow: SEC Network/Florida Radio/Live Stats
Not only are these top 10 schools in our VolleyMob rankings, but they come in the top three in the latest RPI poll. Beyond that, this one has big implications on the SEC title, as it appears to be a two-team race for the conference crown.
Kentucky has only lost sets in SEC play in three of their matches but they will surely be tested in this one. The Wildcats have beaten some solid teams already, but none would stand out like a road win in Gainesville. So far though, both of Kentucky’s losses came on the road to then-ranked top-10 opponents. Leah Edmond , the Kentucky leader in kills (262, 4.30 per set) will look for a big match as she had in a sweep at Gainesville last year when she logged 19 kills (.325).
Playing in front of their home crowd, Florida will try to stay undefeated and add a third top-10 win after taking down Nebraska and Texas in the first week of the season. Last year in that home loss in straight sets to Kentucky, All-American Alex Holston was the only offensive option to get going as no one totaled more than six kills beyond Holston. Florida has shown even more balance this season though as Carli Snyder leads the way in kills (169, 3.45 per set) and is second in digs (3.41 per set).
OTHER NOTABLE MATCHES:
Oregon State (12-7, 2-5) at (RV) Washington State (13-6, 2-5) – 4 pm ET
- How to follow: Pac-12 Networks/Live Stats
Oregon State looked like a much better team this year with a combination of returners and a strong recruiting class as they showed proof with a 10-2 non-conference. In Pac-12 play though, things get very difficult but the Beavers proved they can score big wins with winning at #13 Washington. Washington State will be on high alert now as they look to rebound from a home loss to #15 Oregon.
#3 Stanford (14-2, 7-0) at #12 USC (14-4, 6-1) – 6 pm ET
- How to follow: Pac-12 Networks/Live Stats
Stanford has their second of a two-match swing in Los Angeles with a tough USC squad on the day. After taking down UCLA in four sets on Friday, the Cardinal could earn yet another big win as they try to stay undefeated and on top of the Pac-12 standings. USC is only a match behind, so a win would put them in a tie for the lead.
BEST OF THE REST:
(RV) Colorado (13-5, 3-4) at Arizona (8-8, 2-5) – 4 pm ET
- How to follow: Pac-12 Networks/Live Stats
Georgia Tech (8-10, 3-4) at (RV) Louisville (12-5, 6-1) – 4 pm ET
- How to follow: ACC Network/Live Stats
Iowa (14-6, 3-4) at #5 Minnesota (16-2, 5-2) – 5 pm ET
- How to follow: BTN Plus/Iowa Radio/Game Tracker
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