United Athletic Conference

 

Chicago State outside hitter Yanlis Feliz and Grand Canyon Libero Teagan DeFalco have been named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Volleyball Players of the Week, respectively, for the week of August 30 through September 5. Additionally, Sam Houston's Hannah Baker has earned Freshman of the Week honors.

 

Feliz, a redshirt sophomore from Pedernales, Dominican Republic, led the Cougars' offense at the Windy City Classic last week, averaging 6.40 kills per set while maintaining a .336 hitting percentage. Feliz recorded a career-high 27 kills on .426 hitting in a sweep of North Dakota State on Friday. She also finished the week averaging 7.0 points per set. On the season, Feliz paces all WAC hitters as she tallies 4.82 kills per set for Chicago State.

 

DeFalco, a graduate student from Long Beach, Calif., was an anchor on the backline last week as the Lopes did not drop a single set at the GCU Invitational. She was named Libero of the Tournament behind 5.78 digs per set, including a season-high 20 digs against Rider on Saturday. DeFalco's 4.95 digs per set on the season leads the Lopes as they carry the lone undefeated record into the third week of play.

 

Baker, a defensive specialist from Deer Park, Texas, helped lead the Bearkats to a 2-1 record as she was named to the all-tournament team at the Maverick Classic in Arlington, Texas. Baker's week was highlighted by a 44-dig performance in a five-set victory over Tulsa on Friday. This mark is also tied for the most digs in a single match in school history. Baker backed up that outing with 23 digs against North Texas and 25 digs in a win over UT Arlington. On the week, Baker averaged 6.13 digs per set for the Kats.

 

Other offensive nominees included: Abilene Christian's Jada Birkel was named to the Wildcat Classic All-Tournament Team as she hit .346 over the weekend, including a career-high hitting percentage of .438 on Saturday… California Baptist's Scherine Dahoue led the way for the Lancers' offense, finishing with 16 total kills over two matches last week… Grand Canyon's McKenzie Wise paced the Lopes in kills in every match at the GCU Invitational, earning tournament MVP honors behind 4.00 kills per set… Lamar's Paige Dugan totaled 27 kills across four matches for the Cardinals last week… NM State's Lia Mosher finished the week with a .397 hitting percentage while averaging 2.00 kills per set at the Springhill Suites Invitational… Sam Houston's Ashley Lewis reached 1,000 career kills and tied a career-high 27 kills against North Texas while averaging 4.33 kills per set for the week… Seattle U's Darian Goins recorded back-to-back 20-plus assist matches, including a career-best 27 against Montana on Wednesday… Stephen F. Austin's Ielan Bradley posted 2.88 kills per set on .352 hitting to lead the Ladyjacks to wins over Northern Arizona and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi last week… Tarleton's Lauren Kersey averaged 2.67 kills per set on .278 hitting for the Texans last week… UT Rio Grande Valley's Sarah Cruz turned in a career-best 22 kills against Nicholls State on Friday... Utah Valley's Kazna Tanuvasa posted 28 total kills across two matches to average 3.50 kills per set for UVU.

 

Other defensive nominees included: California Baptist's Paige Johnstone posted double-digit digs in back-to-back matches for the Lancers, averaging 4.17 digs per set over the weekend… Chicago State's Andrea Calderon finished the week averaging 3.50 digs per set as she led the Cougars to a 2-1 record at the Windy City Classic… NM State's Darian Markham tallied 20 or more digs in all three Aggie matches last week, including a career-high 27 digs in a win over Northwestern… Sam Houston's Hannah Baker carried the Bearkats to a pair of five-set wins last weekend, taking down Tulsa and UT Arlington… Seattle U's Julia Queroz notched three blocks in the Redhawks' sweep of Air Force on Friday… Stephen F. Austin's Alyssa Ortega posted 35 digs across two matches last week to help SFA to a 2-0 week… Tarleton's Ana Costas recorded 4.47 digs per set across four matches for the Texans… UT Rio Grande Valley's Veronika Jandova secured 10 total blocks last week as UTRGV competed in the Cowtown Classic in Fort Worth, Texas… Utah Valley's Bryton Bishop led the Wolverine defense with 19 digs in a thrilling five-set victory over Hawaii on Thursday.

 

Other freshman nominees included: California Baptist's Ashlyn Nevrla notched 12 total kills on a .391 hitting percentage over two matches at the South Dakota State Tournament… Chicago State's Andrea Calderon finished the week averaging 3.50 digs per set for the Cougars… Grand Canyon's McKenzie Wise was a force on both ends, totaling 36 kills and 27 digs in a trio of wins for the Lopes… Lamar's Paige Dugan averaged 2.25 kills per set and 2.50 digs per set last week, including a 12-kill performance in a win over Prairie View on Saturday… NM State's Alana Embry recorded two double-doubles over the weekend, including posting 19 assists and 12 digs in a win over Northwestern… Stephen F. Austin's Alyssa Ortega posted 35 digs and 11 assists across a pair of wins for the 'Jacks… Tarleton's Trinity Vinzant notched 30 total digs while also pitching in with a pair of blocks from her outside-hitting position… UT Rio Grande Valley's Luanna Emiliano earned all-tournament team honors for the second-straight weekend, highlighted by a 56-assist showing against Nicholls State on Saturday… Utah Valley's Natalie Palmer tallied her first-career double-double in a win over Hawaii, finishing with 19 assists and 10 digs.

 

Utah Valley has the honor of kicking off week three as they take on Weber State on Wednesday before heading to Flagstaff to face Arizona State, UC Davis and Northern Arizona in the NAU Tournament. UT Rio Grande Valley will be at home this week to host the UTRGV Tournament where they will see Louisiana, Incarnate Word, Texas Southern and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beginning Thursday. Chicago State takes its home court against Eastern Michigan on Friday morning before facing Belmont and Illinois-Chicago. NM State is headed east to play in the Colonel Challenge in Richmond, Ky., as they look to find success against Eastern Kentucky, Western Carolina and Western Illinois.

 

Seattle U also gets set for tournament action with a visit to New Mexico for the UNM Tournament. There, the Redhawks will see UC San Diego, New Mexico and Southeastern Louisiana. Stephen F. Austin pays a visit to Tulsa, Okla., to face Tulsa, Oral Roberts and Arkansas in the Tulsa Invitational. Meanwhile, Grand Canyon will look to remain undefeated as they take on UTEP, Portland State and Portland in the Portland State Tournament. Lamar welcomes UAPB, Little Rock and Northwestern State to town for the Lamar Invitational on Friday and Saturday. Abilene Christian's week kicks off with a meeting with Montana State before facing Jackson State and North Texas in the North Texas Tournament. Tarleton also prepares for a non-conference tournament as they face Stony Brook, St. Thomas and Yale in the Stony Brook Invitational.

 

Sam Houston is set to compete in the Rice Tournament as they wil look through the net at LSU and Rice. Lastly, California Baptist is set to host a tournament alongside UC Riverside where they will face off against New Orleans, Southern Utah and UC Riverside.

 

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:

 

Lindsey Toney, Abilene Christian - ACU Invitational (MVP)

Madison Rohre, Abilene Christian - ACU Invitational

Christine Graf, California Baptist - Georgia State Invitational

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

McKenzie Wise, Grand Canyon - Idhao Volleyball Classic

Hannah Eskes, Grand Canyon - Idaho Volleyball Classic

Morgan Janda, Sam Houston - Bearkat Invitational (MVP)

Breanne Chausse, Sam Houston - Bearkat Invitational

Ashley Lewis, Sam Houston - Bearkat Invitational

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

Luanna Emiliano, UT Rio Grande Valley - New Orleans Invitational

 

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.

 

Jada Birkel, Abilene Christian - Wildcat Classic

Yanlis Feliz, Chicago State - Windy City Classic

Berenice Almeyda, Chicago State - Windy City Classic

Andrea Calderon, Chicago State - Windy City Classic

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

Hannah Eskes, Grand Canyon - GCU Invitational

Sydney Reed, Grand Canyon - GCU Invitational

McKenzie Wise, Grand Canyon - GCU Invitational (MVP)

 

 

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 is 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 all six eligible teams.

 

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 the 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. Semifinals will be held December 16 while the championship will be held on Decemer 18.