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.
As week three continues, the schedule ramps up as we approach the weekend. In total, six matches feature a top-10 team on this day – Thursday September 7. The day should serve as an appetizer for the big entree coming up Friday with dessert on Saturday as the non-conference portion of the season is on its second half.
*Note: VolleyMob’s Top 25 is utilized for a team’s ranking
THE BIG MATCH:
RV Cal Poly (5-1) at #10 Oregon (4-1) – 9 pm ET (Pac-12 Oregon/Live Stats)
Two west coast teams meet in Eugene, Oregon as one looks to solidify its top 10 positioning while the other looks for a marquee win to move into the top 25.
The Ducks got their big win to start the year over Nebraska, although All-American setter Kelly Hunter was injured. They’ve looked solid but have had some hiccups as they fell to Texas and needed five to take down Loyola Marymount last week. Now they get a chance for another resume building victory as they can prove again why they are ranked in the top 10.
Cal Poly’s lone loss came to a fellow top-10 Pac-12 opponent as their undefeated start was halted against Washington. They get another try as UCLA transfer Torrey Van Winden continues to put up big numbers for the Mustangs and is familiar with Oregon after posting 30 kills and 20 digs in two wins vs. the Ducks last year as a member of the Bruins.
OTHER NOTABLE MATCHES:
Denver (6-0) vs. #3 Minnesota (5-0) – 11 am ET (Longhorn Network/Live Stats)
Although the marquee matchup of the weekend in Austin takes place tomorrow, Denver should provide a fun opponent for the two top-five teams in the event. Not only are the Pioneers undefeated but they’re coming off a 23-9 season in 2016 when they made the NCAA Tournament.
#13 BYU (6-0) at RV Hawaii (2-4) – 7 pm HST/1 am ET (BigWest.TV/Audio/Live Stats)
This match was a bit of a tweener in terms of what day you consider it. Technically it takes place on September 8th if you’re on the Eastern or Central time zone, but if you’re to the west of that or in the local time, it’s a night match for the day. One of the top mid-majors in BYU looks to continue its strong start in a difficult road environment as Hawaii has picked up their play after struggling early.
BEST OF THE REST:
Austin Peay (6-1) at Ole Miss (4-3) – 8 pm ET (SEC Network Plus/Game Tracker)
Denver (6-0) at #4 Texas (4-1) – 8 pm ET (Longhorn Network/Live Stats)
Lipscomb (4-2) at #6 Wisconsin (5-0) – 8 pm ET (Big Ten 2 Go/Audio/Live Stats)
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