Villanova Classic Brings Three NCAA Tournament Teams to Predominant Line

VILLANOVA, Pa. – A trio of 2024 convention champions descend upon the Jake Nevin Field House this weekend as Villanova volleyball (2-0) prepares to host the 2025 Villanova Classic towards Fairfield, High Point and Yale from September 5-7.

Villanova will play one match on every day this weekend, starting with a contest towards Yale at 7 p.m. on Friday earlier than a 4 p.m. Saturday bout with Fairfield and the weekend finale at 2 p.m. Sunday reverse High Point.

CATHOLIC CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS    

It was a profitable opening weekend for the ‘Cats who emerged from South Bend as victors of this 12 months’s Catholic Challenge between VU, Notre Dame and Santa Clara. Villanova picked up a straight set sweep of the Broncos within the season opener to maneuver to 14-5 in Josh Steinbach‘s 19 years of lidlifters. A more durable check awaited the Wildcats on Sunday within the ACC’s Fighting Irish who Villanova outlasted in 5 units because of a balanced assault that includes three gamers above 16 kills on the afternoon. Abby Harrell was named the Tournament MVP and to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll whereas Campbell McKinnon and Cat Young every earned All-Tournament accolades. There was additionally imagined to be a midweek version of the Wildcats on the highway, however the match was canceled and to not be rescheduled because of points at Binghamton. 

STEADY SOPHOMORES    

While the Villanova freshmen class final 12 months was spectacular of their debut marketing campaign, the group may need been even higher over the weekend in South Bend to open up sophomore 12 months. The beginning lineup featured 5 members of the six-person class and a pair of them earned an All-Tournament nod in McKinnon and Young. Alyssa Nelson led the workforce in assists, Taylor Lewis contributed 17 kills and Lola Buck-Taylor added 13 digs whereas McKinnon hit .453 and Young made contributions throughout the board with robust numbers within the kill, ace and dig columns. If the Wildcats have success within the 2025 season, you may guess the sophomore class could have been the engine.

BREAKING DOWN THE BULLDOGS

• Yale’s season kicks off this weekend on the Villanova Classic to observe up a 2024 marketing campaign the place they went 19-6 and received the Ivy League for the third straight 12 months.
• The Bulldogs had been picked to complete first once more of their convention preseason ballot, returning All-Ivy First Team proper aspect Betsy Goodenow along with three different all-league choices in middles Laurece Abraham and Gigi Barr plus libero Arya Jue.
• Longtime head coach Erin Appleman’s squad is 5-3 all-time towards the Wildcats, choosing up 5 set victories over VU in each 2022 and 2024.

SIZING UP THE STAGS

• Fairfield rolls into Jake Nevin at 2-1 total after profitable the primary two matches of the season over Old Dominion and Towson however falling in 5 units to West Virginia.
• The Stags are led by senior hitter Allie Elliott who earned MAAC Player of the Week following three double-doubles at ODU final week. Fellow returners Mamie Krubally and Maya Walker had been every All-MAAC First Teamers final 12 months.
• Villanova is 3-3 all-time towards and has confronted Fairfield twice within the final three seasons, taking down the Stags in 4 units final 12 months in Connecticut however falling in 5 at Jake Nevin Field House in 2022.

HEAR ABOUT HIGH POINT

• The Panthers began out their 2025 season with a go to to Provo, Utah, final weekend, dropping matches to Central Michigan and BYU however defeating FDU in 4.
• High Point is the preseason league favourite after profitable the Big South and going 23-7 total in 2024, led once more this 12 months by all-conference setter Allie Gray and veteran defenders Kea Whillock and Brooke Briscoe.
• The ‘Cats preserve a profitable 2-1 report over HPU, profitable a 2019 five-set matchup in Fort Worth however falling at Jake Nevin Field House the earlier 12 months in straight units.

Streaming for all 5 matches can be accessible on the Villanova Athletics YouTube page and statistics for every might be discovered on StatBroadcast.

Keep up with the Villanova University volleyball program via social media by following on X (@NovaVolleyball) and Instagram (@novavolleyball) and ‘liking’ on Facebook (/NovaVolleyball).