United Athletic Conference

 

NM State outside hitter Katie Birtcil and Stephen F. Austin middle blocker Taya Mitchell have been named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Volleyball Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of September 20 through September 26. Stephen F. Austin also garnered WAC Freshman of the Week honors as Valeria Rosado has earned the award for the Ladyjacks.

 

Birtcil, a junior from Tucson, Ariz., helped lead the Aggies to a perfect 2-0 start in WAC play as she finished the week averaging 4.75 kills per with a .293 hitting percentage. Birtcil was instrumental in the Aggies' four-set road win over defending WAC Tournament Champion Utah Valley as she recorded a career-high 24 kills to go along with three service aces. She followed that performance with a 14-kill outing against Dixie State. Birtcil also posted 5.4 points per set, helping NM State extend its winning streak to eight matches.

 

Mitchell, a graduate student from Rowlett, Texas, was a dominant force at the net for the 'Jacks, tallying 2.33 blocks per set as SFA went 2-0 on the week. Mitchell made an impressive entrance to WAC play as she notched 11-blocks to lead the 'Jacks to a four-set win over a tough UT Rio Grande Valley squad. Her 11 blocks also mark the most from any WAC player in a single match this season. Mitchell also leads the conference in blocks per set at 1.32 for the season.

 

Rosado, an outside hitter from Deltona, Fla., also played a big part in Stephen F. Austin's perfect week as she posted double-digit kills in back-to-back matches this week while hitting at a .385 clip. In the 'Jacks sweep of Prairie View, Rosado recorded the first double-double of her collegiate career, finishing with 11 kills and 10 digs. Against the Panthers, she also had zero hitting errors to finish with a .647 hitting percentage for the match. She then finished with 11 kills and eight total digs against the Vaqueros on Saturday.

 

Other offensive nominees included: Abilene Christian's Breanna Box paced the Wildcats in kills in their lone match last week as she finished with 11 kills on .409 hitting… California Baptist's Christine Graf led CBU's offense with 10 kills on a .500 hitting percentage in a sweep of Chicago State… Chicago State's Yanlis Feliz posted 5.00 kills per set last week, including 6.33 kills per set in a sweep of Seattle U… Dixie State's Megan Treanor averaged 3.14 kills per set as she led the Trailblazers' offense with 22 total kills on .316 hitting… Grand Canyon's Annabelle Kubinski posted season-highs in kills (11), points (15), digs (3) and aces (2) in a five-set win over Utah Valley… Stephen F. Austin's Valeria Rosado averaged 3.14 kills per set in addition to posting four aces last week… Tarleton's Kayla Brannon recorded 33 total assists last week to become the third player in Tarleton program history to reach 2,500 career assists… UT Rio Grande Valley's Sarah Cruz notched a career-high 28 kills while maintaining a .400 hitting percentage against Stephen F. Austin… Utah Valley's Kendra Nock finished with a team-high 15 points and 10 kills on a .563 hitting percentage against GCU last week.

 

Other defensive nominees included: California Baptist's Laura Walewska tallied four of CBU's seven blocks in the win over Chicago State on Saturday… Chicago State's Andrea Calderon posted 4.50 digs per set last week to help the Cougars finish the week with a 1-1 record… Grand Canyon's Teagan DeFalco totaled 39 digs for the Lopes, 22 of which came in GCU's five-set win over Utah Valley… NM State's Carly Aigner-Swesey averaged 4.13 digs per set and turned in three blocks against Utah Valley… Tarleton's Hali-a Swartman-Hogan racked up a career-high four total blocks in both of Tarleton's victories last week… UT Rio Grande Valley Evana Ramos managed two of her best performances as a Vaquero, posting 17 digs against UTEP and a career-high 21 digs against Stephen F. Austin… Utah Valley's Sadie Hamson posted 13 blocks against GCU to lead the Wolverines to a school-record 22.5 blocks on Saturday.

 

Other freshman nominees included: California Baptist's Laura Walewska averaged 1.33 kills per set and 1.33 blocks per set in the Lancers' win over Chicago State… Chicago State's Andrea Calderon posted 4.67 digs per set and 1.33 assists per set in the sweep of Seattle U… Grand Canyon's McKenzie Wise notched 16 kills and five service aces in the Lopes big win over Utah Valley… Tarleton's Trinity Vinzant came away from the week averaging 2.00 kill per set and 1.71 digs per set in addition to recording four aces and three assists… UT Rio Grande Valley's Luanna Emiliano recorded her 10th and 11th double-doubles of the season as she posted 10.38 assists per set and 2.88 digs per set on the week… Utah Valley's Jules Fink finished with double-digit scoring in both matches for the Wolverines while also recording a career-high 10 blocks against GCU on Saturday.

 

NM State leads the WAC in overall hitting percentage (.254) and opponent hitting percentage (.149),  while UT Rio Grande Valley paces the league in assists per set (12.35). The Chicago State offense has been rolling as the Cougars' 13.63 kills per set is good for tops in the WAC. Utah Valley leads the group in blocks per set (2.66) and WAC newcomer Sam Houston is the front runner in digs per set (16.98).

 

Individually, NM State's Lia Mosher leads the WAC in hitting percentage (.444), while Chicago State's Yanlis Feliz is the leader in kills (4.82) and Abilene Christian's Lindsey Toney is tops in points (5.5). WAC Defensive Player of the Week Taya Mitchell leads the league in blocks (1.32) and Sam Houston's Hannah Baker paces the WAC in digs per set at 4.88. Madison Rohre of Abilene Christian is the top assister, posting 10.41 assists per set. NM State's Victoria Barrett leads the conference in service aces (0.49).

 

In WAC matches only, California Baptist is tops in hitting percentage (.310) and opponent hitting percentage (.087). UT Rio Grande Valley is atop the WAC in assists (13.75) and digs (19.75), while also sitting in a tie with Grand Canyon for the lead in service aces (2.25). Lastly, Utah Valley leads the league in blocks (3.83)

 

Individually in WAC play, Stephen F. Austin's Payton Cerny is atop the league in hitting percentage (.727) while her teammate Mitchell is the top blocker at 2.75 per set. UT Rio Grande Valley's Sarah Cruz is the leader in kills (7.00), points (8.1) while fellow Vaquero Luanna Emiliano leads the WAC in assists (11.50). Cruz is also tied for the lead in two other categories as she and California Baptist's Cassidy Dennison for most service aces per set at 1.00 and Cruz and teammate Evana Ramos are tied for the league lead in digs per set (5.25)

 

We are officially in the full swing of WAC play as there are zero non-conference matchups on tap for this week. Thursday's conference matchups will all be divisional matchups beginning with Chicago State hosting a Utah Valley looking to turn things around after stumbling during opening week. Elsewhere in the West Division, NM State is at home against Seattle U and Grand Canyon is back in front of its raucous home crowd to face California Baptist. Meanwhile, in the Southwest Division, Abilene Christian visits Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston hosts Tarleton.

 

Saturday's slate kicks off at Noon CT as Tarleton and Abilene Christian swap opponents to take on Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston, respectively. Dixie State is back in action with a road contest at Chicago State. Lamar sees its first WAC action as they get UT Rio Grande Valley on its home floor. NM State hosts California Baptist and Seattle U pays a visit to Grand Canyon.

 

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 opportunity 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

 

SFA AND UVU SELECTED AS PRESEASON FAVORITES

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 close 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.

 

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.