DALLAS - Conference USA concluded its final weekend of nonconference play as FIU, Liberty, MTSU and Sam Houston went undefeated on the week. MTSU and Missouri State sit atop of the CUSA standings with 9-3 overall records.

YAY FOR CONFERENCE PLAY 
The 2026 CUSA conference season will begin Sept. 25 with five games slated in the evening. MTSU travels to Liberty for a 5 p.m. CT start, Delaware hosts Jax State at 5 p.m. CT, Missouri State faces FIU at 6 p.m. CT, NM State hosts CUSA defending champion WKU at 7 p.m. CT and Sam Houston takes on Kennesaw State at 7 p.m. CT. 

STUFFING THE STAT SHEET 
Missouri State’s Hannah Gardner posted her third triple-double of the season with 15 kills, 13 assists and 15 digs in a 3-0 sweep of Kansas City on Thursday. It marked the first triple-double in a three-set match at Mo State since 1989. Her three triple-doubles rank second in the nation behind Eastern Kentucky’s Emilee Hill’s four. Gardner’s balanced play has helped the Bears to a 9-3 overall record which is tied for first in the CUSA standings. 

PANTHERS ON THE PROWL 
The Panthers are heading into conference play on a high note with a seven-game winning streak. FIU’s seven consecutive wins is the longest winning streak for the Panthers since 2011. FIU hosted the 305 Classic this weekend, securing wins over Central Michigan, Alabama A&M and Jacksonville. Jillian Huckabey stepped up big for the Panthers, delivering a team-high 38 kills in three matches while hitting .267. She had a season-best 19 kills in a five-set win over Alabama A&M. 

THE BEARKATS ARE DEFINITELY EATING UP THE COMPETITION 
Sam Houston secured an unbeaten week at the Lamar Invitational with wins over ULM, North Dakota and Lamar. Brenlin Garlitz and Lauren Pyle earned CUSA Co-Setters of the Week after averaging 11.0 assists per set, helping direct the Bearkats to a .272 team hitting percentage. Chloe Monson’s 43 kills on the week helped her climb the nation rankings in total kills as she currently sits at 11th with 185 kills. Shaelin White was named the MVP of the Lamar Invitational after averaging 4.73 digs per set. 

CAN’T COOL OFF THE FLAMES   
After coming off a 2-0 weekend against North Alabama, the Flames have won four matches in a row. Alison Bierwagen earned CUSA Defensive Player of the Week honors after averaging 5.0 digs per set while adding 0.33 aces and 6.33 assists per set, while in a 6-2 system. Melis Ural recorded 12 digs in each of the two contests, she has collected 10 or more digs in each of the last 10 matches. That is the longest streak of 10-dig matches by a Lady Flame since Erica Lowery had 10 straight 10-dig matches, Sept. 21 through Oct. 25, 2024. 

BEWARE OF THE RAIDERS  
The Blue Raiders are tied for first in the CUSA standings with a 9-3 overall record. MTSU has won five consecutive matches, which is the highest mark in the Alexa Keckler era. The Blue Raiders closed out nonconference play with a 2-1 record at the Fairfield Invitational. Sophia Henry led MTSU offensively with 49 kills on a .254 hitting clip, which earned her CUSA Offensive Player of the Week honors. Michaela Dlouhá is tied for fifth nationally in total blocks with 65 after posting 15 blocks on the week, including four solos.