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.
It’s week nine of the season as we start out daily previews on Tuesday after just three matches on Monday. The current day, Tuesday, October 17th comes with 20 matches – all featuring mid-majors. The leader of that group is a Missouri Valley match-up between teams with a combined 35 wins.
*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:
Drake (18-4, 7-1) at #19 Northern Iowa (17-5, 7-1) – 8 pm ET
- How to follow: ESPN3/Northern Iowa Radio/Live Stats
Three teams have distinguished themselves atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings as Missouri State is undefeated with these two teams tied for second a match behind them.
The battle for second place comes in Cedar Falls, Iowa as the host team, Northern Iowa, will look to rebound from their first conference loss to Missouri State. Three players average over three kills per set in the balanced Panthers offense as setter Heather Hook (11.47 assists per set) steadies the attack.
The visiting side, Drake, lost to Missouri State last week at home in five sets but has emerged as a potential third NCAA Tournament team from the conference to replace what they lost in Wichita State. Four players average over two kills per set led by Kyla Inderski (3.40 per set) and Cathryn Cheek (3.10 per set).
OTHER NOTABLE MATCHES:
Houston Baptist (15-6, 7-2) at Northwestern State (10-12, 5-2) – 7:30 pm ET
- How to follow: Northwestern State Video/Live Stats
Both of these teams are threats to make the NCAA Tournament as challengers in the Southland conference. Houston Baptist ranks 129th in the RPI while Northwestern State is climbing up with a 5-2 conference start thus far. The two sides could use the win to keep pace with the top two teams in the Southland in Sam Houston State (7-0) and Stephen F. Austin (6-1).
BEST OF THE REST:
American (16-7, 7-1) at Loyola (MD) (9-12, 3-5) – 7 pm ET
- How to follow: Patriot League TV/Game Tracker
Nevada (5-15, 3-5) at San Jose State (12-7, 4-4) – 9 pm ET
- How to follow: Mountain West TV/Game Tracker
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