NCAA volleyball preseason is in full swing, and this weekend will feature another slew of high-caliber matches.
That said, we know the immense amount of volleyball you could be watching can get overwhelming, so we made it easy for you! Here are this weekend's must-see matches.
This battle between the reigning Big Ten and SEC champions is sure to produce some fireworks. Minnesota will be the de facto home team at this weekend's Puerto Rico Clasico thanks to Puerto Rican native Dalianliz Rosado holding down the libero position, but Texas A&M will be looking to make a big statement with a win over this top-five Minnesota squad.
Watch this match, and the entire Puerto Rico Clasico, LIVE right here on FloVolleyball.
San Diego shocked many in the volleyball community when they upset Stanford to open the 2016 season. But of course, true insiders know the Toreros have been a strong program for a few years now. This match versus the 3-0 Badgers will be a good measure of whether San Diego really can hang with the best or if their Stanford victory was just the result of preseason excitement.
USC bombed its first weekend of 2016 play by going 0-3 against unranked teams. Creighton, which cracked the AVCA Top 25 this week at No. 22, would love to take advantage of this vulnerable squad before they have a chance to recover from that dismal showing.
Whenever UNC and Duke face off, it's guaranteed to be a battle. Both teams went 3-0 in their opening weekends, but UNC is the clear favorite in this matchup--especially after kicking off the season with a victory over perpetual powerhouse Penn State. But if Duke manages the upset, it would give them a big boost of confidence that they could use to their advantage against the Tar Heels in conference play in late November.
As mentioned above, Penn State didn't have the opening weekend it might have hoped for. But then again, neither did Stanford, as the Cardinal lost to San Diego before taking down Minnesota. On paper, Stanford should win this one, but the Cardinal have already shown they are beatable, and a win in Palo Alto would be huge for this Penn State team.
FSU and Alabama are two teams on the cusp of greatness. Alabama benefits from two of the best hitters in the women's college game--Krystal Rivers and Kat Hutson--on the pins, while Florida State returns a pair of rock star setters. Florida State will be challenged by the graduation of Nicole Walch, its All-American banger, but Alabama has it's own losses to combat, including its setter Sierra Wilson. Early in the season, anything can happen and a win in this match would be powerful for both teams.
Watch this match, and the entire Puerto Rico Clasico tournament, LIVE right here on FloVolleyball.
That said, we know the immense amount of volleyball you could be watching can get overwhelming, so we made it easy for you! Here are this weekend's must-see matches.
Minnesota vs. Texas A&M
Friday, September 2, 2016, 8 p.m. ET | Watch Live on FloVolleyballThis battle between the reigning Big Ten and SEC champions is sure to produce some fireworks. Minnesota will be the de facto home team at this weekend's Puerto Rico Clasico thanks to Puerto Rican native Dalianliz Rosado holding down the libero position, but Texas A&M will be looking to make a big statement with a win over this top-five Minnesota squad.
Watch this match, and the entire Puerto Rico Clasico, LIVE right here on FloVolleyball.
San Diego vs. Wisconsin
Friday, September 2, 2016, 8 p.m. ET | Watch on BTN2GoSan Diego shocked many in the volleyball community when they upset Stanford to open the 2016 season. But of course, true insiders know the Toreros have been a strong program for a few years now. This match versus the 3-0 Badgers will be a good measure of whether San Diego really can hang with the best or if their Stanford victory was just the result of preseason excitement.
USC vs. Creighton
Saturday, September 3, 2016, 11 p.m. ET | Watch Pac-12 Live StreamUSC bombed its first weekend of 2016 play by going 0-3 against unranked teams. Creighton, which cracked the AVCA Top 25 this week at No. 22, would love to take advantage of this vulnerable squad before they have a chance to recover from that dismal showing.
UNC vs. Duke
Thursday, September 1, 2016, 6:30 p.m. ET | Watch on ACC Network ExtraWhenever UNC and Duke face off, it's guaranteed to be a battle. Both teams went 3-0 in their opening weekends, but UNC is the clear favorite in this matchup--especially after kicking off the season with a victory over perpetual powerhouse Penn State. But if Duke manages the upset, it would give them a big boost of confidence that they could use to their advantage against the Tar Heels in conference play in late November.
Penn State vs. Stanford
Sunday, September 4, 2016, 5 p.m. ET | Watch Live StreamAs mentioned above, Penn State didn't have the opening weekend it might have hoped for. But then again, neither did Stanford, as the Cardinal lost to San Diego before taking down Minnesota. On paper, Stanford should win this one, but the Cardinal have already shown they are beatable, and a win in Palo Alto would be huge for this Penn State team.
Florida State vs. Alabama
Saturday, September 3, 2016, 5:30 p.m. ET | Watch LIVE on FloVolleyballFSU and Alabama are two teams on the cusp of greatness. Alabama benefits from two of the best hitters in the women's college game--Krystal Rivers and Kat Hutson--on the pins, while Florida State returns a pair of rock star setters. Florida State will be challenged by the graduation of Nicole Walch, its All-American banger, but Alabama has it's own losses to combat, including its setter Sierra Wilson. Early in the season, anything can happen and a win in this match would be powerful for both teams.
Watch this match, and the entire Puerto Rico Clasico tournament, LIVE right here on FloVolleyball.
