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.
After a loaded schedule featured matches with 38 ranked or on the cusp teams on Friday, Saturday puts together a nice encore with matches that feature 31 ranked or on the cusp teams. That includes several schools playing multiple matches in the same day, as four matches face ranked teams against another ranked foe or one on the cusp in the latest VolleyMob Top 25.
*Note: VolleyMob’s Top 25 is utilized for a team’s ranking
*The entire week’s schedule can be seen here.
THE BIG MATCH:
RV Northern Iowa vs. #11 Nebraska – 1 pm ET (Northern Iowa Radio/Nebraska Radio/Live Stats)
Meeting at a neutral court in Omaha, Nebraska, Northern Iowa looks to sleigh another giant – this time against Big Red and the Nebraska Corn Huskers.
Northern Iowa has had a remarkable start to the 2017 season, as even though it involves three losses, it also includes three ranked victories. Coming into the week only Northern Iowa, Creighton and Florida had accomplished that feat, as now the Panthers can set the bar even higher if they can upset Nebraska.
Nebraska hasn’t been very upset prone or beatable at all since the return of All-American setter Kelly Hunter however. After missing the first two matches, Nebraska hasn’t skipped a beat and has won every match it has played with Hunter, including two over then #11 UCLA last week.
OTHER NOTABLE MATCHES:
RV Illinois at #25 Missouri State – 2:30 pm ET (ESPN3/Live Stats)
Illinois dropped out of the top 25 last week but could get back on the right track with a road win against one of the best mid-majors in the country. Missouri State’s marquee win came against Ohio State earlier this season, and they’ll look for another Big Ten victory before they start MVC play.
Dayton at RV Ohio State – 3 pm ET (Game Tracker)
Two teams from the state of Ohio meet in Columbus with plenty to prove before conference play starts. Dayton hasn’t rolled as smoothly as we’ve seen in past years, but could definitely turn some heads with a win on the road against a Big Ten foe. Ohio State meanwhile is looking to get things back on track after struggling vs. other mid-majors early in the season.
#23 Iowa State vs. #7 Creighton – 5:30 pm ET (Creighton Radio/Live Stats)
Iowa State suffered a setback earlier this week to Northern Iowa, but could gain all that they lost with a top-10 win on a neutral court against Creighton. As mentioned earlier, just Northern Iowa, Creighton and Florida were the only schools with three-ranked wins and while the Panthers can get their fourth, so can Creighton in this one.
RV Colorado at #18 Colorado State – 9 pm ET (MWC Network/Live Stats)
Colorado earned a ‘on the cusp’/receiving votes mention in the latest poll after a big road win at Illinois combined with a strong start. They’ll look for some more road magic against rival Colorado State in Fort Collins as the Rams have been on the rise after losing their opening match and overcoming three big injuries to defeat a few ranked teams and garner a top-20 ranking.
BEST OF THE REST:
Auburn at #20 Florida State – 2 pm ET (ACC Network Extra)
Xavier at #18 Colorado State – 3 pm ET (MWC Network/Live Stats)
Southern Illinois vs. #19 Michigan State – 4:30 pm ET (Game Tracker)
Kansas State vs. RV Northern Iowa – 6:30 pm ET (Northern Iowa Radio/Live Stats)
Lipscomb at #1 Florida – 7 pm ET (ESPN3/Florida Radio/Live Stats)
Leave a Reply