Basson Family
Trivia Time |
Only one program has ever won four straight NCAA Division I women's volleyball national championships. Which school pulled it off? Lock in your guess. The answer is waiting at the bottom of this issue. |
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SMU pulled off the college volleyball upset of the fall, beating No. 2 Pitt in four sets on the Panthers' home floor.
The loss erased Pitt's perfect record and ended a 58-match home winning streak.
After dropping the opener, the Mustangs clamped down on defense and survived a wild 48-minute third set that featured 21 ties and 74 combined points.
Middles Favor Anyanwu and Natalie Newsome powered the comeback.
Pitt star Olivia Babcock still set program career records for aces and kills.
The rematch comes fast, with the teams meeting again Sunday in Dallas.
Top-ranked Nebraska is now the only undefeated team left in Division I. Read More... |
USA Volleyball claimed gold at the NORCECA Women's Final Six in Zinacantepec, Mexico, completing a perfect tournament run without dropping a single match.
The Americans dismantled host Mexico 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-22) in the final, finishing the competition with seven wins and just four sets surrendered.
Rachel Fairbanks earned tournament MVP honors, headlining an offense that hit a dominant .427 in the gold medal match.
Middle blocker Onye Ofoegbu was a standout force, posting five blocks and eleven points — single-handedly outblocking the entire Mexican team.
Five players finished the final with eight to eleven points each, underscoring the team's remarkable depth and balance.
The victory marked USA Volleyball's second consecutive NORCECA Women's Final Six title, firmly cementing their status as the continent's dominant force heading into the next Olympic cycle. Read More... |
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Penn State at USC |
Saturday, Oct. 17 · 7 p.m. ET · Galen Center, Los Angeles · Big Ten Network The Nittany Lions finish a West Coast swing that starts at UCLA the night before. Two Big Ten road matches in two nights is a real test of legs and depth, and it comes with a national TV window. Parents, this is a good one to watch with your hitter: see how a top program manages rotations on a back-to-back. Schedule and match details: gopsusports.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule |
Florida at Texas |
Sunday, Oct. 18 · 7:30 p.m. CT (8:30 p.m. ET) · Gregory Gymnasium, Austin · ESPN Sunday night, national TV, and one of the loudest gyms in the sport. The Longhorns host the Gators in an SEC matchup between two programs with deep volleyball tradition. If your player wants to see what big-match serve pressure looks like, this is appointment viewing. Schedule and match details: texaslonghorns.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule |
NCAA Championship in San Antonio |
Thursday, Dec. 17 and Sunday, Dec. 20 · Alamodome, San Antonio · ESPN networks Every upset this fall is really about one thing: who gets to San Antonio. The national semifinals and the championship match land at the Alamodome in December, and tickets are already on sale, including all-session packages. If a volleyball road trip is on the family wish list, this is the one to plan around. Tickets and event details: ncaatickets.com/championship/womens-volleyball |
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If your player has watched international volleyball, they have seen a Mikasa. The company makes the V200W family used in the Volleyball Nations League, supplies the official ball for League One Volleyball's pro matches, and produces the ball of the FIVB beach tour. For families shopping ahead of club season, practicing with the same ball the pros use is a simple way to build touch. |
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Based in Encinitas, California, The Art of Coaching Volleyball has been teaching the teachers since 2011, with clinics in 33 U.S. cities and a library of thousands of drill and skill videos. There is a free tier, and Premium comes with a two-week free trial. Club coaches use it for practice plans. Parents use it to finally understand what a 6-2 is. A Club Season clinic is on the calendar for Nov. 14. |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: Penn State. The Nittany Lions won four in a row from 2007 through 2010. |