DALLAS - Five Conference USA teams enter week three with win streaks, including Kennesaw State, Sam Houston, New Mexico State, Missouri State and Delaware. The Owls and the Bearkats top the conference with 5-1 records.
GET THE BROOMS
The Owls capped off the weekend with a pair of sweeps over West Georgia and Alabama A&M. KSU hit over .300 in both victories, improving the team’s overall record to an impressive 5-1 to start the season. An impressive deffensive performance from Alexis Sowers earned the libero the title of Freshman of the Week. She recorded 65 digs for the week, averaging 5.91 digs per set.
RALLY KATS FOR THE WIN
Sam Houston added two wins to its record on Saturday, sweeping Kent State before completing a 3-2 come back over UT Arlington. The Bearkats overcame a 2-1 deficit in their battle against the Mavericks, ultimately closing the match with a 15-11 fifth set win. The 5-1 opening record marks Sam Houston’s best start to a season since 2021.
KILLING THE GAME
New Mexico State’s Ashley Herman could not be stopped over the weekend, leading the Aggies with 39 kills over three matches. The redshirt senior hit a career high 14 kills on a .571 hitting percentage, earning her the title of Offensive Player of the Week. Also making a difference on the offensive front were Tess Fuque, who led the team with 13 kills over UC Irvine and Jaelynn Kohli who added a team high 15 kills against Southern Utah.
A WIN AT THE WYNN
It was a successful outting for the Bears who completed a perfect 3-0 weekend to take the title at the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational. Missouri State opened with a 3-0 victories over Little Rock and Northwestern State, and completed the streak with a 3-1 win over Indiana State. The Bears defensive performance was highlighted by Brooke Eslinger. The senior libero averaged 5.3 digs per set, earning her all-tournament honors and the title of Defensive Player of the Week.
KENNEDI CAN
Senior setter Kennedi Inman played a big roll in Delaware’s 2-0 weekend over Fordham and New Haven at the Blue Hen Invitational. Inman led the tournament with 75 assists and 9.38 assists per set. She marked 40 assists in the Blue Hens’ come-from-behind five-set victory in match one before adding 35 assists and six digs in a 3-0 match two.
WHAT A RUSH
Sophomore setter Kate Rush earned her second consecutive Setter of the Week honor after another impressive tournament performance. She tallied 118 assists, 17 kills, 11 aces, 16 digs and six blocks, including a double-double that came against Dayton where she marked 41 assists and 11 kills.