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 Friday, so it’s basically the weekend, and that weekend starts with 38 ranked/on the cusp teams playing on the day. Of course with that number, several ranked teams play a pair of matches on the day in what should be a volleyball-filled day of excitement in the final weekend before a majority of teams start conference play.
*Note: VolleyMob’s Top 25 is utilized for a team’s ranking
*The entire week’s schedule can be seen here.
THE BIG MATCH:
#7 Creighton at RV Wichita State – 8 pm ET (Wichita State/Creighton Radio/Live Stats)
The Shockers play host to Creighton in a match that has become a bit of a Midwest rivalry between teams separated by one state line. Overall, the series is slightly in Creighton’s favor at 23-22 as six of the last 11 meetings have gone to five sets including last season when Wichita State was victorious.
The BlueJays come in ranked seventh in the country as they’ve been one of just three teams (along with Florida and Northern Iowa) to score three ranked victories to this point in the season. While they’ve already developed a strong resume, they’ll look for another notch in their belt before they start up Big East play.
The host team, Wichita State, is currently on the cusp of being ranked in the latest VolleyMob Top 25, and could potentially usurp themselves into the poll with a win. They’ve got their home crowd behind them to pair with a strong team that could use a high-level win before entering AAC play when their won’t be as many opportunities.
OTHER NOTABLE MATCHES:
Western Kentucky at RV Ohio State – Noon ET (BTN Plus/Game Tracker)
This match features two teams who have been ranked at a point this season but recently fell out from the rankings. Both will look to amend that and can head in the right direction with this one as Ohio State looks for a springboard to Big Ten play when the wins come more sparingly while Western Kentucky looks for a resume booster before they’ll have less opportunity for one in the C-USA.
#9 Washington at Maryland – 7 pm ET (BTN Plus/Live Stats)
Maryland has had a strong start to the season and could really emerge on the map with a home win against a top-10 opponent in Washington. Meanwhile, the Huskies look to avoid being tripped up on the road where they are currently undefeated this season.
RV Washington State at #25 Missouri State – 7 pm ET (ESPN3/Live Stats)
Missouri State and Washington State are incredibly close to each other in the latest VolleyMob Top 25, and should create a strong match that could have implications on next week’s poll. The Cougars look to use their strong block to counter the Bears’ offense led by the latest VolleyMob Player of the Week, Lily Johnson.
BEST OF THE REST:
North Dakota vs. RV Cal Poly – 11 am ET (Live Stats)
St. John’s at Baylor – Noon ET (Watch/Baylor Audio/Game Tracker)
Louisville at #13 Kentucky – 7 pm ET (ESPN3)
#19 Michigan State at Notre Dame – 7 pm ET (ACC Network/Game Tracker)
#3 Minnesota at Boise State – 7:30 pm ET (MWC Network/Game Tracker)
NC State at #21 Michigan – 7:30 pm ET (Live Stats)
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