The final leg of the Women’s Volleyball Nations League preliminary phase began as Team USA took to the stage with five other national teams set to play Wednesday through Sunday at College Park Center.

To begin the tournament in Arlington, the VNL opened day one with a 3-2 win by No. 7 Germany over No. 15 Canada.

After a disheartening 3-1 finish to start the preliminary phase in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Team USA bounced back with a 3-1 overall in week two at Belgrade, Serbia. The team has returned to home soil with an No. 8 standing to kick off week three.

Team USA opened this week with a 3-1 win over No. 17 Thailand in the final match of the tournament’s first day at 7:30 p.m. at College Park Center. The victory marked the team’s third straight win in the tournament.

Team USA has undergone significant roster changes and additions to the tournament team, with 10 week one VNL debuts and four returning players.

“I think the players are getting more comfortable on the competition court,” said Erik Sullivan, Team USA head coach. “The systems that we’ve put in place and been working on for the last month, month and a half, are starting to tighten up and be better.”

The first three sets were tightly contested, but Team USA maintained the upper hand and found steady momentum, leading for most of the match. The team held a clear size advantage over Thailand and used it to their benefit throughout the series.

Blocked spikes and hard-driven serves helped set the team up for success, but Thailand stayed within reach using set pieces and coordinated plays to keep pressure on USA.

“They run a very fast and complex offense, which when they’re in system can be really hard to defend,” Team USA libero Lexi Rodriguez said. “I think it took us the first two sets to adjust to their speed, their style of play and it tests you to be a little bit more disciplined and patient.”

Thailand took the second set, but USA held off a late rally to win the third. With momentum on its side, Team USA closed out the match in dominant fashion, taking the fourth set 25-15.

The team held at least a seven-point lead throughout the latter half of the final frame and had two 4-0 runs.

Team USA setter Jordyn Poulter said Thailand is a scrappy and unique team to face. She called the victory a “total team win” and said she was proud of the team’s ability to stay composed and not get caught up in the opponent’s style of play.

The tournament will continue with Team USA facing off against No. 11 Dominican Republic on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at College Park Center.

The U.S. will play two more matches to close out the women’s preliminary phase, facing Canada at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and No. 6 China at 7 p.m. Sunday. All games are available to stream on VBTV.

@kaleivie_

Prior to LBSU: Made an immediate impact at McMaster College as a freshman in 2013, leading her team to an OUA championship and an appearance in the CIS tournament (Canada’s national collegiate tournament) … led the team with 3.15 kills per set in 67 sets played … selected to the OUA All-Star first team after the season and was the MVP of the OUA Tournament … also averaged 2.22 digs per set on the year … served up 20 aces, which also led the squad.

Team Canada: The youngest players on Canada’s beach volleyball team … she has competed at several international competitions, including the U19 and U21 FIVB World Championships … won the beach volleyball Gold Medal at the Canada Games in 2013 with partner, Ali Wooley … placed ninth at the U19 FIVB World Championship in 2012 … won the Gold medal at the FIVB U21 World Championships in 2014 with partner Tia Miric … Bukovec and Miric were Canada’s first age group winners at an FIVB World Championship … competed in both the U21 and U23 World Championships this summer for Team Canada … finished ninth at the U23 World Championships in Poland with Miric.

Personal: Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada … Also worked as a model in Canada.

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LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Nebraska volleyball team on Thursday released a long list of former Huskers that will play in the inaugural alumni match in August.

Former player and assistant coach Jordan Larson headlines the group, as she was a three-time All-American during her career at Nebraska (2005-08).

Larson also won a National Championship with Nebraska in 2006 and is a four-time Olympic medalist, leading Team USA to gold in 2021.

Her four Olympic medals are tied for the most all-time by a women’s volleyball player.

SEE ALSO: Nebraska volleyball announces details for Fan Day, inaugural alumni match

Along with Larson, two-time All-American and national champion setter Kelly Hunter will play in the alumni match.

Three-time All-American and national champion middle blocker Lauren Stivrins will join the squad, as well as former national champion and All-American libero Kenzie Maloney.

Recent former Huskers Lindsay Krause, Leyla Blackwell and Ally Batenhorst have also committed to playing in the match.

The alumni match will be a standard best-of-five format on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

For more information on tickets, visit the Nebraska Athletic Department’s website.

2024-25 Big West Commissioner’s Honor Roll
A total of 2,741 student-athletes from 11 institutions across all 21-conference sponsored sports were named to the 2024-25 Big West Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
 
To be named to the honor roll, student-athletes must be on a team roster in a Big West-sponsored sport and were eligible for competition. There are three categories on the list based on GPA: Honor Roll (3.00-3.20), With Honors (3.21-3.50) and Highest Honors (3.51-4.00). The Faculty Athletics Representatives (FAR) of each of the 11 institutions submitted their lists to the conference office.
 
Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly commented, “The Big West Commissioner’s Honor Roll celebrates more than just academic success — it represents the extraordinary commitment of our student-athletes to excellence in every aspect of their college experience. Competing at the highest level of NCAA athletics while excelling in the classroom is no easy feat, and these individuals have demonstrated what it means to truly embody the spirit of the scholar-athlete. The Big West is proud to recognize their accomplishments and inspired by the discipline, leadership, and future they represent.”

UC San Diego had the most awardees in the conference with 360, with 204 receiving highest honors. UC Santa Barbara (347), UC Davis (273), Cal Poly (266) and Hawai’i (253) rounded out the top five. UC Irvine (236), CSUN (231), Cal State Fullerton (215) and Long Beach State (212) also eclipsed 200 honorees. 

 

School	Total	Highest Honors (3.51-4.00)	With Honors (3.21-3.50)	Honor Roll (3.00-3.20)
Cal Poly	266	131	92	43
Cal State Bakersfield	166	89	50	27
Cal State Fullerton	215	94	75	46
CSUN	231	128	67	36
Hawai’i	253	159	57	37
Long Beach State	212	99	62	51
UC Davis	273	134	84	55
UC Irvine	236	113	72	51
UC Riverside	182	71	65	46
UC San Diego	360	204	104	51
UC Santa Barbara	347	173	119	55