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.
Week seven comes to a close with today’s action, but just because it is the final day of the week doesn’t mean it is lacking. In total, nine ranked teams play on the day with five more ‘on the cusp’ squads in action for what should have a final say on next week’s rankings.
*Note: VolleyMob Power Rankings Top 25 is utilized for a team’s ranking
*The entire week’s schedule can be seen here.
THE BIG MATCH:
#20 Colorado (12-4, 2-3) at #8 Washington (13-3, 3-2) – 6 pm ET
- How to follow: Pac-12 Networks/Live Stats
Two top 20 Pac-12 opponents duel in Seattle for both a win that helps the resume and conference standing. Beyond that, both of these squads are looking to bounce back from losses in their previous matches.
Washington is hosting this one and looking to get back on the right track after back-to-back losses. They fell last Sunday to USC in straight sets before falling to Utah at home on Friday night in five. Over those two matches, Courtney Schwan – second on the team with 3.40 kills per set – has posted just three combined kills. The Huskies need her back as a viable option in this one and as the Pac-12 season continues.
Colorado comes on the road for their second match in the state of Washington after dropping a four-setter to Washington State on Friday night. Before that, they earned a top-notch victory over Oregon as its been an up-and-down conference slate in the difficult Pac-12. Alexa Smith will look for another typical big match as she leads the Buffaloes in kills per set (4.27).
OTHER NOTABLE MATCHES:
Pittsburgh (12-4, 5-0) at (RV) Miami (FL) (9-2, 3-2) – Noon ET
- How to follow: ESPN3/Live Stats
Pittsburgh has established themselves as the top team in the ACC through the first three weeks, but should be tested in Coral Gables against a Miami (FL) squad that started 9-0 but has hit a skid of late. The Hurricanes can end that and prove that they belong in the rotating conversation of teams at the top of the conference with an upset.
Auburn (11-3, 4-1) at #11 Kentucky (13-2, 4-0) – 2 pm ET
- How to follow: ESPN3/Live Stats
Kentucky looks ready to challenge Florida for the SEC crown and have been rolling in conference play, but with a week until the Florida match, they have plenty to worry about at home against Auburn. The Tigers have looked like one of the top teams in SEC play as well and could truly emerge with a win in Lexington.
#17 Utah (13-3, 4-1) at (RV) Washington State (13-4, 2-3) – 2 pm ET
- How to follow: Pac-12 Networks/Live Stats
Washington State has been one of the biggest culprits of a challenging Pac-12 schedule thwarting a strong team’s play as they started 1-3 with losses to a trio of top-20 teams. Utah just has one blemish in five sets against Oregon in the conference and scored their best win of the season at Washington on Friday, but will need to bounce back quickly after a five-set energy-draining match.
BEST OF THE REST:
Georgia (12-6, 2-3) at #1 Florida (12-0, 4-0) – 1:30 pm ET
- How to follow: ESPN3/Florida Radio/Live Stats
#19 Purdue (14-2, 4-1) at Northwestern (12-5, 2-3) – 2 pm ET
- How to follow: BTN Plus/Northwestern Radio/Purdue Radio/Live Stats
#4 Texas (11-2, 3-0) at TCU (9-6, 1-3) – 3 pm ET
- How to follow: ESPN2/Game Tracker
#3 Stanford (12-2, 5-0) at Oregon State (11-6, 1-4) – 4 pm ET
- How to follow: Pac-12 Networks/Live Stats
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