United Athletic Conference

 

Tarleton right side hitter Lauren Kersey and Stephen F. Austin middle blocker Kelsey Harrington have been named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Volleyball Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of Oct. 25 through Oct. 31. Stephen F. Austin also brought in WAC Freshman of the Week honors as Valeria Rosado tabbed that award.

 

Kersey, a senior from Norman, Okla., carried the Texans to a pair of sweeps last week as she averaged 3.56 kills per set on a .406 hitting percentage. In a non-conference battle with Incarnate Word on Tuesday, Kersey produced 13 kills on just 25 swings to mark the 10th time in Tarleton's last 11 games she has led the team in kills. She hit over .400 again in Saturday's sweep of Abilene Christian as she tallied 12 kills on 27 attacks.

 

Harrington, a junior from Midland, Texas, dominated at the net to lead the Ladyjacks past Lamar and UT Rio Grande Valley last week. She totaled 16 blocks over seven sets to average 2.29 blocks per set. Harrington's week was highlighted by a career-high 11 blocks in a competitive four-set victory over UTRGV. Against the Vaqueros, Harrington contributed half of the single-match team blocks record across four sets in NCAA Division I this season as the 'Jacks registered 22 total blocks.

 

Rosado, an outside hitter from Deltona, Fla., continued to stand out for the 'Jacks as she averaged 3.86 kills per set on .302 hitting to go along with nine total digs and six total blocks. In Thursday's sweep of Lamar, Rosado notched 15 kills with a .560 hitting percentage. She also added a trio of service aces in the 'Jacks 2-0 week.

 

Other offensive nominees included: California Baptist's Tesa Oaks posted 19 total kills on .263 hitting last week as she led the Lancers in points with 23.5 in a pair of wins… Chicago State's Yanlis Feliz totaled 39 kills to average 5.57 kills per set during the Cougars' road trip… Grand Canyon's Ashley Lifgren averaged 3.33 kills per set on .280 in the Lopes' West Coast trip… NM State's Katie Birtcil had a monster night on Thursday against California Baptist, finishing with 22 kills on .364 hitting… Stephen F. Austin's Leah Powell posted 21 total kills to average 3.00 kills per set on a .340 hitting percentage… Sam Houston's Ashley Lewis recorded a pair of double-doubles that included 31 total kills on .263 hitting to help the Bearkats finish 2-0 on the week… UT Rio Grande Valley's Sarah Cruz turned in back-to-back 20-kill performances last week as she averaged 4.80 kills per set across 10 sets… Utah Valley's Kaili Downs led UVU with a season-high 10 kills on .471 hitting in the Wolverines lone match last week. 

 

Other defensive nominees included: California Baptist's Chandler Gorman averaged 1.43 blocks per set with 10 over seven sets to lead the Lancers to an undefeated week… Chicago State's Andrea Calderon finished the week averaging 2.29 digs per set… Grand Canyon's Teagan DeFalco managed 4.67 digs per set last week as she recorded 28 total digs across six sets… NM State's Lia Mosher came up with 1.00 rejections per set as the Aggies traveled to Seattle U and California Baptist… Sam Houston's McKenzie Morvant led the Bearkats on the defensive end, posting 11 total blocks in just seven sets… Tarleton's Lorin McNeil added 16 kills to her total last week as she leads the WAC and ranks fourth nationally in total blocks with 112… UT Rio Grande Valley's Evana Ramos recorded a career-high 26 digs in the Vaqueros five-set win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Monday… Utah Valley's Kendra Nock led UVU with a career-high 10 blocks in a crucial win over Chicago State on Saturday.

 

Other freshman nominees included: Abilene Christian's Bryley Steinhilber turned in career-highs in both kills (16) and hitting percentage (.325) in the Wildcats home match against Tarleton… California Baptist's Laura Walewska posted 1.43 kills per set to go along with six total blocks last week… Chicago State's Berenice Almeyda tallied 10 kills and five blocks across seven sets last week… NM State's Alana Embry dished out double-digit assists in each of the Aggies' two matches last week while also adding three aces from the service line… Sam Houston's McKenzie Morvant chipped in seven kills and seven blocks in the Kats 3-1 win over UTRGV… UT Rio Grande Valley's Luanna Emiliano put together three double-doubles last week as she averaged 9.62 assists per set and 3.08 digs per set for the Vaqueros… Utah Valley's Natalie Palmer led the Wolverines with 19 assists in a win over Chicago State on Saturday.

 

NM State leads the WAC in overall hitting percentage (.251), kills per set (13.45) and assists per set (12.42). Sam Houston leads in digs per set (17.92). Stephen F. Austin paces the group in blocks per set (2.62). Meanwhile, California Baptist leads in service aces per set (1.79) and Grand Canyon is tops in opponent hitting percentage (.160).

 

Individually, NM State's Lia Mosher leads the WAC in hitting percentage (.418), while Chicago State's Yanlis Feliz is the leader in kills (5.00) and points (5.61). Tarleton's Lorin McNeil leads the league in blocks (1.23) and Grand Canyon's Teagan DeFalco paces the WAC in digs per set at 5.17. Madison Rohre of Abilene Christian is the top assister, posting 10.13 assists per set. Chicago State's Jaclyn Inclan leads the conference in service aces (0.40).

 

In WAC matches only, NM State is tops in hitting percentage (.251) and assists per set (12.98), while Stephen F. Austin leads in blocks (3.06). Sam Houston leads in digs per set (19.29) and Sam Houston holds the lead in opponent hitting percentage (.156). California Baptist is the top squad in service aces per set at 1.80.

 

Individually in WAC play, Stephen F. Austin's Taya Mitchell is atop the league in hitting percentage (.391), while Tarleton's Lorin McNeil is the top blocker at 1.55 per set. Chicago State's Yanlis Feliz is the leader in kills (5.24) and points (5.86). Grand Canyon's Klaire Mitchell leads the WAC in assists (10.33) and fellow Lope Teagan DeFalco is the front runner in digs per set (5.41). Hana Okuhara of California Baptist and Dixie State's Megan Treanor are tied for the league lead in service aces (0.50).

 

The penultimate week of WAC play is set for this week with Thursday's matches highlighted by a pair of heavyweight battles in the West Division. Chicago State will host the West Division leader in California Baptist while Grand Canyon puts its home winning streak on the line as they welcome Utah Valley.

 

Meanwhile, Friday's contests open with Abilene Christian hosting Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston visiting Tarleton. Lamar visits UT Rio Grande Valley and Utah Valley travels to NM State.

 

A trio of WAC programs are among the nation's best at defending home court. Grand Canyon, Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin each carry home winning streaks of 10 matches or longer. Grand Canyon currently sits at 8-0 inside GCU Arena this season and is riding a 14-match win streak. Last weekend, Sam Houston won its eighth and ninth matches at home this season to push the Bearkats streak to 10 matches. Meanwhile, Stephen F. Austin carries the longest home winning streak in the WAC at 22 matches, managing a 10-0 record inside Shelton Gym this season.

 

 

Volleyball drama was on full display in week one of action as both Abilene Christian and NM State won five-set matches after falling behind 0-2 after two sets. The Wildcats completed the feat against Incarnate Word on Friday, Aug. 27 as they fell 18-25 in set one and 21-25 in set two. They would go on to claim the match win behind three-straight set victories (25-21, 25-21, 15-11). In the win, ACU was led by Lindsey Toney's 29 kills and four aces while Madison Rohre added 53 assists.

 

Meanwhile, the Aggies picked up a five-set victory over UC Davis in their season opener. After dropping the opening two sets, NM State came storming back to win three straight (25-19, 25-20, 15-10) to claim its first win of the season. Shaney Lipscomb paced the Aggies in kills with 17 while Darian Markham held her own on the defensive end with a match-high 22 digs.

 

With twelve of the thirteen WAC schools first week of play coming at a pre-conference tournament, there was plenty of opportunities to shine against unfamiliar opponents. 11 athletes from five WAC schools earned honors for their play last weekend, including a trio of tournament MVP's. Abilene Christian's Lindsey Toney, Grand Canyon's Klaire Mitchell and Sam Houston's Morgan Janda each claimed MVP honors at their respective tournaments. Below is the complete list of athletes who garnered all-tournament team recognition:

 

Breanne Chausse, Sam Houston - Bearkat Invitational

Luanna Emiliano, UT Rio Grande Valley - New Orleans Invitational

Hannah Eskes, Grand Canyon - Idaho Volleyball Classic

Christine Graf, California Baptist - Georgia State Invitational

Morgan Janda, Sam Houston - Bearkat Invitational (MVP)

Ashley Lewis, Sam Houston - Bearkat Invitational

Klaire Mitchell, Grand Canyon - Idaho Volleyball Classic (MVP)

Madison Rohre, Abilene Christian - ACU Invitational

Luisa Silva Dos Santos, UT Rio Grande Valley - New Orleans Invitational

Lindsey Toney, Abilene Christian - ACU Invitational (MVP)

McKenzie Wise, Grand Canyon - Idhao Volleyball Classic

 

In week two of non-conference play, eight WAC athletes earned all-tournament honors, including Grand Canyon freshman McKenzie Wise who was named MVP of the GCU Invitational.

 

Berenice Almeyda, Chicago State - Windy City Classic

Jada Birkel, Abilene Christian - Wildcat Classic

Andrea Calderon, Chicago State - Windy City Classic

Teagan DeFalco, Grand Canyon - GCU Invitational (Outstanding Libero)

Hannah Eskes, Grand Canyon - GCU Invitational

Yanlis Feliz, Chicago State - Windy City Classic

Sydney Reed, Grand Canyon - GCU Invitational

McKenzie Wise, Grand Canyon - GCU Invitational (MVP)

 

WAC teams continued the trend in week three as eight athletes were named to all-tournament teams, highlighted by NM State's Shaney Lipscomb who earned MVP honors at the Colonel Challenge.

 

Katie Birtcil, NM State - Colonel Challenge

Teagan DeFalco, Grand Canyon - Portland State Tournament

Annabelle Kubinski, Grand Canyon - Portland State Tournament

Shaney Lipscomb, NM State - Colonel Challenge (MVP)

Darian Markham, NM State - Colonel Challenge

Makayla Pollard, Utah Valley - Lumberjack Classic

Kazna Tanuvasa, Utah Valley - Lumberjack Classic

Hannah Waters, Lamar - Lamar Invitational

 

The final week of non-conference tournament action resulted in seven more all-tournament honors, including Ariana Pagan who was named MVP of the SFA Tournament.

 

Katie Birtcil, NM State - Stetson Invitational

Kayla Brannon, Tarleton - Islander Classic

Payton Cerny, Stephen F. Austin - SFA Tournament

Carmen Kinsey, Tarleton - Islander Classic

Shaney Lipscomb, NM State - Stetson Invitational

Ariana Pagan, Stephen F. Austin - SFA Tournament (MVP)

Leah Powell, Stephen F. Austin - SFA Tournament

 

With the addition of several new programs to volleyball in the Western Athletic Conference, Stephen F. Austin is the coaches' pick to take home the regular season trophy in the Southwest Division while Utah Valley earned the nod in the West Division.

 

Southwest Division preseason favorite Stephen F. Austin heads to the WAC following a 13-1 overall record and a regular season title in the Southland Conference just last year. The Lumberjacks landed four of six possible first-place votes and 24 total points to finish atop the poll. Sam Houston was closely behind as they earned the remaining two first-place votes and 21 points. Tarleton saw its name in the third spot with 15 points followed by Abilene Christian who came in fourth with 13 points. UT Rio Grande Valley and Lamar rounded out the poll, finishing with 11 points and six points, respectively.

 

Coming off their first WAC Tournament Championship in school history, Utah Valley received four of the seven first-place votes and 34 total points to earn the top spot in the West Division. NM State earned the remaining three first-place votes to finish in second place with 33 points, followed by Grand Canyon which was slotted in third with 26 points. California Baptist picked up 20 points as they were selected fourth while Dixie State finished with 16 points to claim fifth. Chicago State collected 10 points for the sixth spot and Seattle U completed the West Division poll with six points of its own.

 

Utah Valley senior outside hitter Kazna Tanuvasa was selected as the WAC Preseason Player of the Year. NM State had the most players named to the preseason All-WAC team as the Aggies garnered four spots. Carly Aigner-Swesey, Victoria Barrett, Shaney Lipscomb and Lia Mosher each represent NM State on the Preseason All-WAC team. Joining them are Grand Canyon's Hannah Eskes and Klaire Mitchell, Sam Houston's Morgan Janda and Ashley Lewis and Stephen F. Austin's Taya Mitchell and Leah Powell. Along with the Wolverines, Chicago State, Dixie State and Tarleton each landed one player on the Preseason All-WAC Team. The Cougars' Yanlis Feliz, the Trailblazers' Megan Treanor and the Texans' Lauren Kersey each earned honors.

 

The Western Athletic Conference is a little bit bigger this season as Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin have all joined the party. Due to the increase from eight teams to 12 teams, the league will play in a divisional format this season.

 

The Fall 2021 WAC Volleyball Tournament will be held Nov. 18-20 at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, N.M. and will include the top eight eligible squads.

 

FALL 2021 WAC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

November 18, 2021 (Quarterfinals)

Match 1 - No. 1 Seed vs. No. 8 Seed, 10 a.m. MT

Match 2 - No. 4 Seed vs. No. 5 Seed, 1 p.m. MT

Match 3 - No. 2 Seed vs. No. 7 Seed, 4 p.m. MT

Match 4 - No. 3 Seed vs. No. 6 Seed, 7 p.m. MT

 

November 19, 2021 (Semifinals)

Match 5 - Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 4 p.m. MT

Match 6 - Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 7 p.m. MT

 

November 20, 2021 (Finals)

Match 7 - Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 6, 7 p.m. MT

 

The NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship return to its normal 64-team format following a 48-team bracket in Spring 2021. The bracket will consist of 32 automatic qualifiers and 32 at-large teams. The final site of the 2021 NCAA Championship will be Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The semifinals will be held on December 16 while the championship will be held on December 18.