Georgia Takes Down Notre Dame 3-1 Behind Bianna Muoneke’s Career Night

Auburn spoiled Florida State’s 2026 home opener Tuesday night, defeating the Seminoles 3-1 (25-18, 25-18, 16-25, 25-18) at Tully Gymnasium in Tallahassee. The Tigers controlled the first two sets, weathered a dominant response from Florida State in the third and then produced their most efficient offensive set of the match to close the victory. Belle Patrick led Auburn with 14 kills , while Grace Havlicek contributed seven blocks and two service aces. Florida State fell to 3-3 , while Auburn improved to 4-2 . Senior outside hitter Kyleene Filimaua led the Seminoles with 14 kills, nine digs, three aces and two blocks. Auburn Establishes Control Early Florida State entered the night playing its first home match of the season and the first home contest under new head coach Lindsay Allman. A crowd of 602 was on hand at Tully Gymnasium, but Auburn quickly took some of the energy out of the building. The Tigers established an early advantage and eventually moved ahead 10-4 . Florida State responded with a 4-1 run, cutting the deficit to 11-8 and creating an opportunity to work its way back into the frame. Auburn did not allow the comeback to develop. The Tigers pulled away again and secured the opening set 25-18 . Florida State struggled offensively during the frame, hitting -.048 , while Auburn’s defense kept the Seminoles from establishing a consistent attacking rhythm. Tigers Build Another Early Lead in Second The second set followed a similar pattern. Auburn again created early separation, moving ahead 10-5 before extending the advantage to 15-7 at the technical timeout. Florida State spent much of the set attempting to recover. The Seminoles eventually reduced Auburn’s advantage to five at 22-17 , but the Tigers remained composed and finished the frame with another 25-18 victory . After two sets, Auburn had a commanding 2-0 match advantage. For Florida State, the problem was clear. Early deficits had forced the Seminoles to chase Auburn throughout both frames. That changed dramatically in the third. Florida State Responds With Dominant Third Set Facing a possible sweep, the Seminoles produced their best volleyball of the night. Florida State opened the third set with a 6-3 run , forcing Auburn to call an early timeout. The Seminoles maintained the pressure and built a 10-6 advantage. FSU then used another 5-2 run to move ahead 15-8 . This time, Auburn was the team playing from behind. Florida State’s offensive improvement was substantial. After hitting -.048 in the opening set and .226 in the second, the Seminoles attacked at .385 in the third . Their defense was equally effective. Auburn was held to -.033 hitting , and Florida State cruised to a 25-16 victory to extend the match. Kyleene Filimaua Leads Seminoles Filimaua was Florida State’s most productive all-around player. The senior finished with 14 kills, three service aces, nine digs and two blocks , giving the Seminoles production in virtually every phase of the match. Freshman outside hitter Sofia Moss added seven kills and led FSU with 11 digs . Setters Emma Lilo and Callie Kieffer shared the distribution responsibilities. Lilo finished with 19 assists , while Kieffer recorded 18. Their work helped Florida State finish with 43 kills, but Auburn ultimately produced the more efficient offensive night. Auburn Responds After Third-Set Setback Florida State’s third-set performance created an opportunity to completely change the direction of the match. Auburn made sure it did not happen. The Tigers raced to a 10-4 advantage in the fourth set, once again forcing the Seminoles to recover from an early deficit. FSU responded impressively. The Seminoles cut Auburn’s advantage to 11-9 , bringing themselves within two points and creating another surge of momentum inside Tully Gymnasium. But Auburn responded before Florida State could complete the comeback. The Tigers moved ahead 15-10 at the technical timeout and regained control of the frame. Tigers Hit .458 to Finish the Match Auburn saved its most efficient attacking performance for the final set. The Tigers hit .458 in the fourth , their best percentage of the match. Florida State could not keep pace. Auburn continued creating separation after the Seminoles had closed within two and eventually finished the set 25-18 , securing the 3-1 road victory. The response was particularly significant after what happened in the third. Auburn went from hitting -.033 in a 25-16 loss to attacking at .458 in the very next frame. That turnaround prevented Florida State from forcing a fifth set. Belle Patrick Leads Auburn Attack Patrick finished with 14 kills , providing Auburn with a consistent offensive threat at the net throughout the match. The Tigers also received career-high kill performances from Anastasija Ivkovic, Shanelle Puetz and Havlicek , according to the Auburn report included in the source material. Havlicek made her biggest impact defensively, recording seven blocks along with two aces. That production helped Auburn win the blocking battle 11-7 . The Tigers also received an important all-around performance from sophomore setter Carson Eickenloff , who finished with 20 assists and 10 digs for a double-double. Auburn Wins Key Statistical Battles Auburn finished the match with 50 kills and a .289 hitting percentage , compared with Florida State’s 43 kills and .215 hitting percentage . The Tigers also held the 11-7 advantage in blocks. Serving was even, with both teams recording six aces . Those numbers reflected Auburn’s ability to combine offensive efficiency with net defense. Florida State showed what it could do during its dominant third set, but the Seminoles were unable to sustain that level over the entire match. The slow starts proved especially costly. FSU trailed 10-4 in the first set, 10-5 in the second and 10-4 again in the fourth. Auburn Spoils Florida State’s Home Opener The defeat came on a notable night for the Seminoles. Tuesday was Florida State’s first home match of the season and Allman’s first appearance at Tully Gymnasium as the program’s head coach. The source’s photos on pages 3 and 9 show the Seminoles gathering together on the court during the home opener. FSU provided its home crowd with a strong response in the third set, but Auburn’s fourth-set efficiency ended the comeback attempt. For the Tigers, the victory continued their success in a series that reached its 21st meeting Tuesday. Both Teams Face Quick Turnarounds Florida State does not have much time to dwell on the loss. The Seminoles continue their six-match homestand against Louisiana on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Tully Gymnasium. The match is scheduled for ACCNX. Auburn heads to Chicago for the three-day DePaul Invitational , beginning with a match against UIC on Friday at 6 p.m. CT. Tuesday’s result ultimately came down to Auburn’s ability to control the beginning and end of the match. Florida State showed its potential by dominating the third set 25-16, but Auburn answered immediately. The Tigers hit .458 in the fourth, controlled the blocking battle and prevented the Seminoles from turning their third-set surge into a full comeback. With Patrick leading the offense and Havlicek controlling the net, Auburn left Tallahassee with a 3-1 victory over Florida State .

\ NC State survived nearly three hours of back-and-forth volleyball Tuesday night, defeating LSU 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 26-24, 19-25, 15-12) at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge. The Wolfpack improved to 6-1 and earned their first true road victory of the 2026 season behind Britni Silver’s 22 kills and a 53-assist, 23-dig performance from setter Eva Long. Jordan Smith added 14 kills as NC State overcame LSU’s strong blocking performance and held off a late Tigers rally in the fifth set. LSU fell to 2-3 despite another huge performance from Jurnee Robinson, who finished with 25 kills and 14 digs for her third double-double of the season. LSU Takes Tight Opening Set The first set established what would become a night filled with narrow margins. LSU built an early 10-7 advantage , but NC State gradually worked its way back into the frame. The Tigers maintained a one-point edge before the Wolfpack eventually pulled even. LSU then moved ahead 21-19 , forcing NC State to use a timeout. The Tigers increased their advantage to 23-21, leading to another Wolfpack timeout. NC State stayed close, but LSU middle blocker Angelina Lee helped finish the frame with a block as the Tigers secured a 25-23 victory . It was only the beginning of a match that eventually featured 40 ties and 16 lead changes . Britni Silver Helps NC State Answer NC State responded in the second set. LSU briefly fought its way into the lead behind a Robinson kill, but Silver increasingly became the offensive difference for the Wolfpack. With NC State leading late, Silver scored on consecutive plays to help preserve a 22-19 advantage . The Wolfpack closed the frame 25-21 , tying the match at one set apiece. Silver finished the night with 22 kills , marking her second 20-kill performance in a span of four days. She also reached a career milestone when her 13th kill of the match gave her 100 career kills . Third Set Becomes Turning Point The third set produced the most significant momentum swing of the night. LSU appeared to have taken control late. The Tigers used a four-point run featuring a Robinson service ace, kill and block, along with a Jessica Jones kill, to put pressure on NC State. An attack error following a Wolfpack timeout helped LSU build a late advantage. But NC State refused to concede the set. A disputed block-touch call went against LSU during the closing stretch, and the Wolfpack continued its comeback. NC State's own recap says the Wolfpack trailed 19-16 before producing a 7-3 scoring run . The frame eventually went beyond 25 points, where NC State prevailed 26-24 . Instead of LSU taking a 2-1 advantage, the Wolfpack moved one set away from victory. LSU Forces a Fifth Set The Tigers responded with their best offensive frame of the match.  LSU hit .389 in the fourth set , compared with NC State’s .156. The Tigers moved ahead 15-13 at the media timeout and continued creating separation. With LSU leading 22-17 , NC State called timeout, but the Wolfpack could not produce another comeback. LSU finished the frame 25-19 , forcing a deciding fifth set. After four sets, neither team had been able to establish lasting control. The fifth finally gave NC State the separation it needed. Wolfpack Erases Early Deficit in Fifth LSU scored the first two points of the deciding frame. NC State quickly answered. The Wolfpack caught fire and eventually built an 11-6 advantage , putting the Tigers in a difficult position. LSU continued fighting and narrowed the margin, forcing NC State to earn the final points. The Tigers saved match point multiple times, extending the fifth set despite the Wolfpack’s earlier five-point advantage. Smith finally ended it. Her 14th kill secured a 15-12 NC State victory , finishing a five-set road battle that lasted almost three hours. Britni Silver Records Another Double-Double Silver once again delivered when NC State needed offensive production. In addition to her 22 kills , she recorded a double-double, her third of the season. Her performance continued a productive stretch after another 20-plus-kill outing just days earlier. Smith also recorded a double-double, the first of her career , while contributing 14 kills. Middle blocker Talia Francom gave NC State another efficient attacking option. She finished with eight kills while hitting a match-best .412 and led the Wolfpack with five blocks. Sophie Groom added seven kills. Eva Long Delivers 53 Assists and 23 Digs Long played a major role in keeping NC State's offense functioning through five demanding sets. She finished with 53 assists and 23 digs , recording her third double-double of the season. It was also the second 53-assist performance of her career. Her 23 digs led NC State. The Wolfpack finished with 65 kills on 62 assists and collected 84 digs as a team. NC State's ability to generate kills became important because LSU held clear advantages in other areas. Jurnee Robinson Powers LSU With 25 Kills Robinson produced the biggest individual offensive total of the match. The LSU outside hitter finished with 25 kills and 14 digs , earning her third double-double of the season. She also recorded four blocks, including two solo blocks, and added an ace. Robinson totaled a match-high 29 points . She was central to LSU's success throughout the night, particularly during the late third-set surge and the Tigers' fourth-set response. Camryn Jeffery tied a career high with nine kills on .300 hitting , while Samara Coleman also recorded nine kills. LSU Dominates at the Net One of the most impressive aspects of LSU's performance came from its blocking. The Tigers finished with a season-high 13.5 blocks , nearly doubling NC State's seven. Jeffery, Jessica Jones and Lee each recorded five blocks . LSU also finished with 73 digs , its third match of the season with at least 70. Libero Kiley Brooks led the Tigers with season highs of 21 digs and three service aces , while also contributing six assists. Setter Takyla Brown recorded LSU's other double-double with 24 assists and 10 digs . Lauren Brooker added 17 assists and six digs. NC State Overcomes LSU’s Statistical Advantages LSU won several important statistical battles. The Tigers outblocked NC State 13.5-7 and held a 6-4 advantage in service aces . The overall hitting percentages were virtually identical, with one source listing both teams at approximately .180 for the match. NC State, however, finished with 65 kills and 84 digs , while finding the decisive points in the two closest sets it won. The Wolfpack captured the third 26-24 and the fifth 15-12. Those margins were enough. Wolfpack Continues Strong Start at 6-1 NC State improved to 6-1 , marking the second consecutive season in which the Wolfpack has lost only once through its first seven matches. The victory was also the 837th in program history , the 21st under head coach Megan Wargo-Kearney and the program's second win over an SEC opponent during her tenure. Most importantly, it gave NC State its first true road win of 2026 . For LSU, the loss was its third consecutive defeat and dropped the Tigers to 2-3. NC State Returns Home After Five-Set Thriller NC State returns to Reynolds Coliseum to host Belmont on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. on ACCNX. LSU remains home and will try to end its three-match losing streak against Charlotte on Friday at 11 a.m. on SEC Network+. Tuesday's match offered little separation between the two programs. There were 40 ties. There were 16 lead changes. LSU won the blocking battle and received 25 kills from Robinson. NC State answered with Silver's 22 kills, Long's 53 assists and a crucial late finish from Smith. When the match finally reached its deciding moments, the Wolfpack made the final push. Smith's 14th kill ended the nearly three-hour battle and sent NC State out of Baton Rouge with a 3-2 victory over LSU .

Georgia Tech remained perfect Tuesday night, defeating Oklahoma 3-1 (25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 25-21) at O'Keefe Gym in Atlanta as part of the SEC/ACC Showdown at the Net. The Yellow Jackets improved to 7-0 by controlling the opening two sets, responding after Oklahoma extended the match in the third and finishing the Sooners in four. Georgia Tech hit .343 and held important advantages in both service aces and blocks despite Oklahoma finishing with more total kills. Oklahoma fell to 3-2, but the Sooners received standout performances from Elise Hani and Tekoa Barnes, who recorded 13 kills apiece . Hani was nearly flawless offensively, hitting .619 without committing an attack error. Georgia Tech Pulls Away in Opening Set Oklahoma scored the first two points of the match, but Georgia Tech quickly settled into its home court. The Yellow Jackets moved ahead 5-4 before producing a four-point run that stretched the advantage to 10-5. Oklahoma responded and eventually pulled within two at 13-11 . That was the closest the Sooners would get. Georgia Tech regained control and used another run to build a commanding 21-12 advantage . The Yellow Jackets closed the opening set 25-15 , putting Oklahoma under immediate pressure. Oklahoma Leads Before Georgia Tech Takes Over Set Two The second frame was more competitive early. Hani delivered a kill to give Oklahoma an 8-7 advantage , and the Sooners remained in front 11-10. Georgia Tech answered with one of the most important runs of the match. The Yellow Jackets outscored Oklahoma 7-1 , turning their one-point deficit into a 17-12 lead . The Sooners managed to cut the margin to 18-15, but Georgia Tech prevented the comeback from developing. The Yellow Jackets finished the set 25-19 , taking a 2-0 advantage and moving within one frame of maintaining their undefeated start. Elise Hani Delivers Near-Perfect Offensive Night Oklahoma's most efficient performance came from Hani. The senior finished with 13 kills on 21 attacks without an error , producing a remarkable .619 hitting percentage . Barnes matched Hani with 13 kills while hitting .409 . She also contributed five digs and two service aces. Those two performances helped Oklahoma finish the match with a strong .319 hitting percentage , its second-best mark of the season. The Sooners also received 11 kills from Alaleh Tolliver and 10 from Alyssa Flack. Carley Butler added seven kills on .353 hitting. Oklahoma's offensive production was enough to create problems for the unbeaten Yellow Jackets, particularly in the third set. Sooners Fight Back in Third Set Facing a possible sweep, Oklahoma produced its strongest frame of the night. The third set remained tight throughout. Georgia Tech used a 4-0 run to turn an 11-10 deficit into a 14-11 advantage, but Oklahoma continued applying pressure and eventually tied the score at 16-16 . Neither side could build more than a one-point advantage during the next stretch. With the score tied 21-21, Oklahoma finally created the separation it needed. The Sooners scored consecutive points to move ahead 23-21 . Tolliver then delivered a kill that gave Oklahoma set point at 24-22. Georgia Tech saved one opportunity, but the Sooners finished the frame 25-23 , reducing the Yellow Jackets' match advantage to 2-1. Oklahoma Hits .389 to Extend Match The third-set victory reflected just how effective Oklahoma could be offensively. The Sooners hit .389 in the frame , their best set of the night. After dropping the first two sets by six or more points, Oklahoma found enough offensive rhythm to win a close finish and force Georgia Tech into a fourth. The Sooners now had an opportunity to push the unbeaten Yellow Jackets to a deciding fifth set. Georgia Tech did not allow that opportunity to develop. Yellow Jackets Build Early Fourth-Set Advantage Georgia Tech created the first significant separation of the fourth set. A 4-0 Yellow Jackets run produced a 9-4 advantage and immediately forced Oklahoma to play from behind. The Sooners continued fighting and tried to close the margin during the later stages of the frame. Georgia Tech maintained its advantage. Unlike the third set, Oklahoma could not produce the late scoring burst needed to change the outcome. The Yellow Jackets closed the set 25-21 , securing their seventh consecutive victory to begin the season. Georgia Tech Wins Serving and Blocking Battles Oklahoma actually finished with more kills than Georgia Tech, holding a 55-47 advantage . The Yellow Jackets found their separation elsewhere. Georgia Tech recorded 10 service aces compared with Oklahoma's five and finished with a 7.5-4 advantage in blocks . The Yellow Jackets also held the slight edge in overall hitting efficiency, attacking at .343 compared with Oklahoma's .319 . Those numbers helped explain how Georgia Tech overcame Oklahoma's advantage in total kills. The Sooners could score efficiently, but the Yellow Jackets created more pressure from the service line and at the net. Avaya Maga Records 48 Assists Oklahoma setter Avaya Maga finished with 48 assists and six digs , directing an offense that had four players reach double-digit kills. Aniya Warren led Oklahoma defensively with eight digs, while Kinsley Singleton contributed seven. The Sooners' balanced attack was one of the strongest elements of their performance. Hani and Barnes each had 13 kills. Tolliver had 11. Flack had 10. But Oklahoma's efficiency and 55 kills were not enough to overcome the decisive scoring runs Georgia Tech produced in three of the four sets. Georgia Tech Remains Perfect at 7-0 Tuesday's result kept Georgia Tech's unbeaten start intact. The Yellow Jackets improved to 7-0 , while Oklahoma dropped to 3-2 . Georgia Tech's ability to respond was particularly important. When Oklahoma pulled within two in the first, the Yellow Jackets surged ahead. When the Sooners led 11-10 in the second, Georgia Tech answered with a 7-1 run. And after Oklahoma finally broke through with a 25-23 victory in the third, the Yellow Jackets opened a five-point advantage early in the fourth and never surrendered control. Oklahoma Returns Home Against Abilene Christian The Sooners will now return home to face Abilene Christian on Sunday at 2 p.m. Oklahoma leaves Atlanta with several encouraging offensive performances despite the defeat. Hani finished without an attack error. Barnes hit above .400. Four Sooners reached double-digit kills, and Oklahoma hit .319 against an undefeated opponent. Georgia Tech simply produced more in the areas that ultimately separated the teams. The Yellow Jackets served more effectively, controlled the blocking battle and consistently created runs at critical moments. Oklahoma managed to extend the match with an impressive third-set response, but Georgia Tech answered in the fourth to complete a 25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 25-21 victory and keep its perfect start alive.

California turned an opening-set loss into a convincing road victory Tuesday night, defeating South Carolina 3-1 (25-27, 25-11, 28-26, 25-20) in the 2026 Shriners Children’s Showdown at the Net in Columbia. The Golden Bears responded to a tight 27-25 loss in the first set by dominating the second, surviving another tense finish in the third and controlling the fourth to improve to 5-1 . True freshman Abby Zimmerman recorded 15 kills for the second consecutive match , while freshman setter Anna Flores finished with 47 assists. South Carolina fell to 4-2 despite three players reaching double-digit kills. Elise Marchal led the Gamecocks with a season-high 12 kills on .455 hitting. South Carolina Survives Tight Opening Set There was little separation between the teams from the beginning. The opening set featured 13 ties and five lead changes , with neither side able to establish lasting control. California eventually created a three-point advantage, but South Carolina remained close behind kills from Ava Leahy, Ceci Vance and Marchal. The Gamecocks tied the score at 17-17 and then made their move. A Sydney Davis kill and two Cal errors helped South Carolina build a 20-17 lead . The Golden Bears fought back and eventually tied the frame at 24-24, pushing the opener beyond the standard 25 points. South Carolina found the final answer. Three consecutive Cal errors allowed the Gamecocks to close the set 27-25 and take a 1-0 match lead. Cal Answers With Dominant 25-11 Set Whatever momentum South Carolina gained from the opener disappeared quickly in the second. The Gamecocks remained within one at 9-8 after kills from Leahy and Vance. Then Cal took over. The Golden Bears produced a 7-0 run , taking advantage of three consecutive South Carolina attack errors and adding an ace to build a 15-8 advantage. Leahy ended the run with a kill, but South Carolina could not slow Cal for long. The Golden Bears continued extending the margin until the lead reached 22-10 . Cal finished the set 25-11 , evening the match and delivering a decisive response to its opening-set defeat. Gamecocks Build Four-Point Lead in Third The third set returned to the back-and-forth style of the opener. South Carolina answered Cal's runs and eventually used kills from Marchal and Olivia Borgman to fuel a 4-0 surge , giving the Gamecocks a 17-13 advantage . Cal responded aggressively and gradually erased the deficit. The Golden Bears tied the score at 21-21 , setting up another tense finish. South Carolina regained control and reached set point with a 24-22 lead . A 2-1 match advantage appeared within reach for the Gamecocks. Instead, Cal produced the most important comeback of the night. Golden Bears Rally to Win Third Set 28-26 Cal refused to allow South Carolina to finish the set. The Golden Bears erased the 24-22 deficit, forced extra points and eventually completed a 6-2 closing run to take the frame 28-26 . Like the opening set, the third was filled with momentum changes. There were nine ties and three lead changes . This time, Cal won the decisive points. The difference was significant. Instead of South Carolina taking a 2-1 advantage, the Golden Bears entered the fourth set needing only one more frame to secure the road victory. Abby Zimmerman Leads Cal Attack Zimmerman continued an impressive start to her freshman season by recording 15 kills for the second straight match . Cal also received balanced production behind her. Cari Bohm and Ashley Li combined for 24 kills , giving Flores several reliable attacking options as she directed the Golden Bears' offense. Flores finished with 47 assists , an impressive total for the freshman setter in a four-set road victory. That balance became increasingly difficult for South Carolina to contain after the opening frame. Elise Marchal Delivers Season-High 12 Kills Marchal led South Carolina with 12 kills , her highest total of the season, while hitting an efficient .455 . She also contributed three blocks. Two other Gamecocks reached double figures offensively. Borgman finished with 11 kills , while Vance added 10 . Vance also recorded three blocks, joining Marchal, Leahy and Davis with that total. The Gamecocks had enough offensive production to challenge Cal, particularly in the first and third sets, but the Golden Bears' scoring runs repeatedly changed the match. Cal Creates Separation in Fourth Set South Carolina needed the fourth set to keep the match alive but spent much of the frame playing from behind. Kills from Vance and Borgman helped the Gamecocks stay within one early. Cal gradually began creating separation. South Carolina errors contributed to the Golden Bears building a 15-10 advantage . The Gamecocks made another push. Kills from Cavanaugh and Leahy contributed to a 3-1 run that reduced Cal's advantage to three. The Golden Bears remained composed and prevented the comeback from developing further. Cal closed the fourth set 25-20 , completing its 3-1 victory. Kiana Dinn and Lilly Gillespie Lead Gamecocks Setter Kiana Dinn recorded 25 assists , marking the fifth time this season she has reached at least 20 assists. Dinn nearly completed a double-double, finishing with eight digs. Defensively, Lilly Gillespie collected a team-high 20 digs . Those numbers reflected South Carolina's effort to stay competitive during extended stretches, but Cal proved more effective at converting momentum into decisive scoring runs. The 7-0 surge in the second set changed that frame. The 6-2 finish in the third changed the match. Cal Completes Perfect Three-Match Road Trip The victory completed a successful road swing for the Golden Bears. Cal won all three matches on its road trip and improved to 5-1, giving the program its best start since opening the 2023 season 6-0. The result also gave the ACC a victory in its challenge against the SEC. Cal's ability to respond to adversity stood out throughout the night. The Golden Bears lost an opening set featuring 13 ties and five lead changes. Rather than allowing South Carolina to build on that momentum, they answered with a 14-point victory in the second. Then, when the Gamecocks reached set point at 24-22 in the third, Cal responded again. South Carolina Heads to Clemson Next South Carolina now turns its attention to an in-state matchup. The Gamecocks travel to face Clemson on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. before visiting Wofford on Saturday for a 4 p.m. match. Cal will return to California for the Santa Clara Mission Classic, where the Golden Bears are scheduled to play their next two matches. Tuesday's result ultimately came down to Cal's responses. South Carolina won the first set. Cal dominated the second. South Carolina reached set point in the third. Cal rallied to win it. And once the Golden Bears gained control of the match, they did not give it back. With Zimmerman delivering 15 kills, Flores distributing 47 assists and the Golden Bears producing their biggest runs when they mattered most, Cal left Columbia with a 3-1 victory over South Carolina .

Maryland volleyball turned defense into complete control Monday afternoon, sweeping George Mason 3-0 (25-14, 25-10, 25-12) in College Park for its third consecutive victory. The Terrapins improved to 4-1 , their best start since opening the 2023 season with the same record. Maryland hit .400 with 37 kills while recording a season-high 10 blocks and holding George Mason to a -.061 hitting percentage . Haley Melby led the Terps with a match-high 13 kills. George Mason fell to 4-2 after managing 25 kills across the three sets. The Patriots had brief stretches where they threatened to close the gap, but Maryland consistently answered with runs that prevented any set from becoming close late. Maryland Establishes Control in Opening Set The Terrapins wasted little time establishing the tone. Maryland jumped ahead 5-1 and extended its advantage to 10-4 on a kill from Eva Rohrbach. George Mason then produced one of its strongest responses of the match. Nia Thompson delivered a kill, and Rylee Kinnell followed with consecutive service aces as the Patriots cut Maryland's advantage to 11-9 . The Terps responded immediately. Maryland rebuilt its advantage and entered the media timeout ahead 15-10. The lead continued growing as the Terrapins' blocking and attacking pressure created problems for George Mason. Melby's kill gave Maryland its 20th point, and Elayna Davidson added an ace late in the frame. The Terrapins finished the set 25-14 . Maryland Defense Shuts Down Patriots Maryland's work at the net became one of the defining elements of the afternoon. The Terrapins held George Mason to -.194 hitting in the opening set , immediately making it difficult for the Patriots to establish offensive rhythm. Duru Gökçen contributed three of her 3.5 blocks during the opening frame. Maryland's blocking remained effective throughout the match and eventually produced a season-high 10 total blocks . George Mason finished at -.061 overall, the lowest hitting percentage Maryland has allowed an opponent since holding Le Moyne to -.080 on Sept. 15, 2023. Terps Pull Away in Second Set George Mason opened the second set facing another early deficit but briefly responded. Kills from Jenna Hunt and Caroline Rodriguez, both assisted by Camryn Weldon, tied the score at 2-2 . Maryland soon regained control. The Terrapins used a 6-1 run to establish an 8-3 advantage and continued pushing until George Mason called timeout with Maryland ahead 12-4. Sydney Bryant delivered another kill to make it 15-5 at the media timeout. The Patriots could not slow Maryland's attack enough to make another run. Bryant later extended the advantage to 18-8, and Sara Toth delivered an ace for Maryland's 20th point. Raina Chwialkowski finished the frame with another ace, securing a dominant 25-10 victory . Haley Melby Leads Balanced Maryland Attack Melby provided Maryland's most productive offensive performance, finishing with a team-high 13 kills . But the Terrapins did not rely on one attacker. Bryant contributed seven kills , while Ava Brown and Rohrbach each finished with six. That balance helped Maryland finish with 37 kills and a .400 hitting percentage . The Terrapins also committed only five attack errors according to one of the supplied reports, illustrating just how efficiently Maryland managed the match. The combination of efficient attacking and disruptive blocking gave George Mason few opportunities to create sustained momentum. George Mason Tries to Respond in Third The Patriots stayed within striking distance during the early portion of the third set. A Rodriguez kill and a Maryland attack error helped George Mason close within 10-8 . That was as close as the Patriots would get. Maryland began pulling away and eventually stretched its advantage to 18-9, with only a Kinnell kill interrupting the Terps' surge. Melby continued finding openings in George Mason's defense, while Maryland's front-row pressure kept the Patriots from generating enough offense to counter. Kinnell, Meredith Brown and Thompson contributed late kills for George Mason, but the outcome was already moving firmly in Maryland's direction. The Terrapins closed the set 25-12 , completing the sweep. Nia Thompson Leads George Mason Thompson finished as George Mason's kills leader with seven , adding three digs. Hunt produced one of the Patriots' most efficient performances. She recorded six kills on .455 hitting , two block assists and seven total points. Kinnell added four kills, three digs and two service aces, with both aces coming during George Mason's strongest first-set run. Weldon distributed 12 assists and added four digs. Despite those individual contributions, Maryland's defense prevented George Mason from producing enough consistent offense to threaten the match. Autumn Martinez-Robinson Records 15 Digs George Mason's strongest statistical performance came from Autumn Martinez-Robinson , who finished with 15 digs and two assists . The Patriots showed determination defensively and continued pursuing balls even as Maryland built substantial leads. But the Terps repeatedly converted those extended rallies into scoring opportunities. Maryland's combination of blocking, efficient attacking and service pressure kept the Patriots reacting throughout much of the afternoon. Terps Continue Strong Start to 2026 Monday's victory was Maryland's third consecutive win and improved the Terrapins to 4-1. It also continued their recent home success. Maryland is now 2-0 at home for the seventh consecutive season , excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. The victory also improved Maryland's all-time record against George Mason to 26-6 . Monday marked the 32nd meeting between the programs. There was little doubt about the result of this one once Maryland established control. The Terrapins never allowed George Mason to reach 15 points in a set. Maryland Turns Attention to Seton Hall Maryland remains home for its next match as the Terrapins prepare to host the Maryland Tournament. The Terps will face Seton Hall on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. , with the match scheduled to air on B1G+. George Mason will travel to Baltimore to face UMBC on Friday at 6 p.m. For Maryland, Monday represented another significant step in a strong opening stretch. Melby supplied the offense. The Terrapins received contributions throughout their lineup. Most importantly, Maryland's defense made life difficult for George Mason from beginning to end. A season-high 10 blocks and a -.061 opponent hitting percentage told the story as the Terrapins rolled to a convincing 25-14, 25-10, 25-12 sweep .

No. 12 Penn State repeatedly found itself under pressure Monday in Chicago, but the Nittany Lions delivered when the sets reached their most important points. Penn State swept DePaul 3-0 (25-23, 27-25, 25-21) at McGrath-Phillips Arena, improving to 4-1 while dropping the Blue Demons to 4-2. Whitney Lauenstein led the Nittany Lions with a match-high 16 kills on .333 hitting , while Kennedy Martin added 15 kills as the duo combined for 31. The straight-set score did not reflect how competitive the match was. DePaul held significant late leads in each of the first two sets, but Penn State rallied both times before taking firmer control of the third. DePaul Builds Seven-Point Lead in Opening Set The Blue Demons came out aggressively in front of their home crowd. DePaul jumped ahead 6-1 and continued building momentum behind Martina Diana, who contributed both a kill and an ace during a stretch that pushed the advantage to 12-5 . The lead eventually reached 14-7 . Penn State started cutting into the deficit, but DePaul still held a commanding 21-15 advantage late in the set. Consecutive kills from Isabela Tavares-Salomon later moved the Blue Demons ahead 23-19 . DePaul appeared positioned to take the opening frame. Penn State never allowed another point. Penn State Scores Six Straight to Steal Set One The Nittany Lions produced a stunning closing run. Ryla Jones became a major factor at the net, delivering a kill and contributing to consecutive blocks as Penn State erased the deficit and tied the score at 23-23 . Martin then put Penn State in front with a kill. An attack error from DePaul completed an unanswered 6-0 run , turning a 23-19 deficit into a 25-23 Penn State victory . It was the first example of what became the defining theme of the match: DePaul created late opportunities, but Penn State finished the sets. DePaul Battles Back in Second Set Penn State carried its momentum directly into the second frame, scoring the opening three points and extending its run across the set break to nine unanswered points. DePaul responded instead of allowing the match to get away. The Blue Demons gradually erased the deficit and eventually pulled even at 23-23 . Kendall Timme delivered an important kill to tie the score again at 24-24. A block involving Timme and Jade Epps then helped DePaul move ahead 25-24 . The Blue Demons were one point away from evening the match. Once again, Penn State responded. Nittany Lions Survive DePaul Set Point Penn State scored the final three points of the second set. Finley Krystkowiak contributed a block, DePaul committed an attack error, and Jones combined with Alexis Stucky for another block to finish the frame 27-25 . For the second consecutive set, DePaul had held a late advantage. For the second consecutive set, Penn State scored every remaining point. Instead of entering the third tied at one set apiece, the Nittany Lions carried a commanding 2-0 advantage. Whitney Lauenstein Leads Penn State Attack Lauenstein provided Penn State's most productive offensive performance. She finished with 16 kills on 36 attacks , hitting .333 while adding four digs. Martin was nearly as productive, recording 15 kills on .333 hitting , six digs and three blocks. Together, Lauenstein and Martin accounted for 31 of Penn State's kills . Freshman Haley Burgdorf added another efficient option, producing a career-high eight kills on .545 hitting . That offensive balance became particularly effective in the third set, when Penn State posted its strongest hitting percentage of the match. DePaul Refuses to Fold in Third DePaul again stayed competitive despite trailing 2-0. Penn State created an early advantage behind a run that included three consecutive Lauenstein kills, but the Blue Demons responded. DePaul used its blocking to work back into the frame, eventually producing a 4-0 run capped by consecutive blocks to tie the score at 14-14 . The match remained close through the middle portion of the set. Then Stucky went to the service line. That changed the final frame. Alexis Stucky Helps Penn State Finish the Sweep Stucky applied late pressure with her serve as Penn State created the separation it needed. The Nittany Lions produced another decisive scoring run, with Stucky contributing multiple aces as the advantage grew to 24-19 . DePaul successfully challenged a call and reduced the deficit to 24-21, keeping the match alive briefly. Jones ended it on the next opportunity. Her kill gave Penn State a 25-21 victory and completed the 3-0 sweep. The Nittany Lions hit .368 in the third set , while DePaul was close behind at .360. Stucky Records First Penn State Double-Double Stucky finished with 37 assists, 11 digs and three service aces , recording her first double-double as a Nittany Lion. Her 37 assists helped Penn State hit .307 as a team . Libero Ava Falduto added a team-high 13 digs and a career-best 10 assists, giving Penn State another double-double performance. Jones, meanwhile, made her biggest impact defensively. She contributed six blocks as Penn State finished with eight total blocks. Her presence was especially important during the comeback in the opening set and at the end of the second. Isabela Tavares-Salomon Leads DePaul DePaul had several productive individual performances despite the loss. Tavares-Salomon led the Blue Demons with 12 kills on .286 hitting , while Timme finished with 11 kills and five block assists . Diana added seven kills, and Epps contributed six. Leonor Polezzi directed the offense with 26 assists and nine digs . Libero Nora Mannion recorded a match-high 16 digs , leading all players defensively. DePaul finished with 39 kills and hit .216 as a team. Penn State’s Late-Set Execution Makes the Difference The match featured 20 ties and eight lead changes , illustrating how much closer the contest was than a routine straight-set victory. DePaul led 23-19 in the opening set. Penn State won 25-23. DePaul then moved ahead 25-24 in the second. Penn State won 27-25. Those two sequences ultimately determined the match. The Blue Demons demonstrated they could compete with the nationally ranked Nittany Lions, but Penn State's blocking and ability to execute under late-set pressure prevented DePaul from turning those opportunities into set victories. Penn State Improves to 4-1 The victory gave Penn State a quick response after its 3-1 loss to No. 3 Kentucky at Wrigley Field less than a day earlier. The Nittany Lions improved to 4-1 , while DePaul fell to 4-2 following its second consecutive match against a highly ranked Big Ten opponent. Penn State now faces another major challenge. The Nittany Lions travel to Philadelphia to meet No. 4 Stanford on Friday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. at The Palestra , with the match scheduled for Big Ten Network. Stanford enters that matchup unbeaten at 4-0. Before turning its attention to the Cardinal, Penn State leaves Chicago with a victory built on resilience. The Nittany Lions trailed late in each of the first two sets, but Lauenstein and Martin supplied the offense, Jones controlled important moments at the net, and Stucky directed the attack. The result was a hard-earned 25-23, 27-25, 25-21 sweep of DePaul .

NC State found itself one set away from defeat Sunday afternoon before producing a dramatic turnaround to finish the Summit Hospitality Tournament undefeated. The Wolfpack rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat Charlotte 3-2 (23-25, 22-25, 25-17, 25-14, 15-12) in Raleigh, North Carolina. Jordan Smith led NC State with 17 kills on .410 hitting , while the Wolfpack dominated the final three sets to complete the reverse sweep. Charlotte came close to earning its first victory over NC State since 2006, but the Wolfpack improved at the net and from the service line as the match progressed before producing an errorless .524 hitting percentage in the deciding fifth set. Charlotte Takes Control Behind Efficient Attack Charlotte entered the match looking for a strong finish to a difficult tournament weekend and immediately put NC State under pressure. The 49ers hit .382 with 19 kills in the opening set , compared with NC State's .233 hitting percentage. Mariam Mushkudiani was particularly effective, recording seven kills in the frame. Her sixth kill gave Charlotte a 21-20 advantage. NC State fought back late, but Charlotte responded with a three-point run and closed the opening set 25-23 . The 49ers had the early advantage, and their confidence continued growing in the second. Clara Briley Helps Charlotte Build 2-0 Lead Charlotte's serving helped create separation in the second set. The 49ers used an 8-2 run to establish an 18-10 lead behind strong serving from Chloe Maughan and Clara Briley. NC State refused to concede the frame. The Wolfpack produced a 4-1 run and later added four consecutive points, eventually fighting off four Charlotte set points and reducing the deficit to 24-22. Briley finally stopped the comeback. Her attack deflected off the NC State block and landed out of bounds, giving Charlotte a 25-22 victory and a commanding 2-0 match advantage. One more set would have given Charlotte its first victory against NC State since Aug. 26, 2006. Instead, the Wolfpack completely changed the match. Jordan Smith Sparks NC State Comeback NC State found its offensive rhythm in the third set. The Wolfpack hit .300 while holding Charlotte to a minus-.037 hitting percentage , a dramatic defensive improvement from the first two frames. Powerful attacks from Smith and Britni Silver helped drive the turnaround. After Charlotte briefly grabbed a one-point advantage early, NC State used a 4-0 run to move ahead 10-7. The 49ers pulled within one midway through the frame behind Gia McGrew, but the Wolfpack immediately answered with a 6-1 run that stretched the advantage to 21-15. Zuzia Maciejewicz eventually finished the set with a service ace, giving NC State a 25-17 victory . The reverse sweep was underway. Wolfpack Dominates Fourth Set at Net NC State became even more imposing in the fourth. Charlotte briefly moved ahead 2-1 before the Wolfpack answered with a 6-1 run to establish a 7-3 advantage. Another major run followed. NC State outscored Charlotte 11-3 during a stretch that pushed the margin to 18-9. Briley responded with consecutive kills as Charlotte attempted to stop the momentum, but the Wolfpack remained in control. NC State finished the fourth set with four team blocks and five service aces , holding Charlotte to only seven kills. Silver provided the final kill in a 25-14 victory , sending the match to a deciding fifth set. After losing two close frames, NC State had responded by winning the next two by a combined 19 points. NC State Opens Fifth Set With 4-0 Run The Wolfpack carried that momentum directly into the fifth. NC State scored the opening four points , forcing Charlotte head coach Benavia Jenkins to call an immediate timeout. The 49ers responded well. Charlotte used a 6-3 stretch to reduce the deficit to 7-6 , with McGrew delivering an important kill. Suddenly, the deciding set was tight again. NC State turned to Sophia Groom and Clara Vondran. Their attacks helped the Wolfpack restore a 10-7 advantage . Charlotte repeatedly reduced the margin to two, but it could not completely erase the deficit. Britni Silver Finishes Charlotte’s Upset Bid A late unsuccessful Charlotte challenge helped NC State reach a 14-11 advantage . Charlotte stayed alive for one more point. Then Silver ended it. Her 13th kill of the match landed in the far corner, completing a 15-12 fifth-set victory and finishing NC State's reverse sweep. The Wolfpack saved their most efficient offense for the decisive frame. NC State recorded 11 kills on 21 attacks without an error , producing a remarkable .524 hitting percentage in the fifth set. After Charlotte had been the more efficient team early, NC State was nearly flawless when the match reached its decisive stage. Jordan Smith Earns Tournament MVP Smith finished with one of NC State's best individual performances of the weekend. She recorded 17 kills on 39 attempts with only one error , producing a .410 hitting percentage . Smith also added four blocks and two digs. Her performance earned her Summit Hospitality Tournament MVP honors . Smith finished the tournament with 36 kills while hitting .395 . Silver also earned All-Tournament Team recognition after recording 51 kills over the weekend . Eva Long Directs Wolfpack Offense Setter Eva Long distributed a match-high 49 assists while also recording three service aces. Silver matched Long with three aces of her own. Talia Francom led NC State's blocking effort with six blocks , while Maciejewicz anchored the defense with a team-high 19 digs . Vondran also provided an important contribution after entering during the fourth set. She finished with eight kills and became part of the offensive group that helped NC State finish the comeback. Briley and Mushkudiani Set Career Highs for Charlotte Charlotte's defeat came despite career performances from two attackers. Freshman Clara Briley recorded a career-high 16 kills , while Mushkudiani finished with a career-best 15 kills . Mushkudiani was especially effective early, using her experience as a former Miami opposite to help Charlotte establish control in the first set. Briley then delivered the final point of the second set after NC State had fought off four set points. Their production put Charlotte within one set of a significant road upset. NC State's defense eventually changed the matchup. NC State Wins Key Team Battles The final statistics reflected how dramatically the match shifted after the opening two sets. NC State finished with a 61-55 advantage in kills , while also winning the blocking battle 13-9 . The largest difference came from the service line. The Wolfpack recorded 14 aces compared with Charlotte's seven , including five during the dominant fourth set. Those advantages helped NC State recover from Charlotte's hot offensive start and ultimately control the second half of the match. Wolfpack Caps Undefeated Tournament Weekend The victory completed an undefeated Summit Hospitality Tournament weekend for NC State. It was also the 836th victory in program history and the 20th under head coach Megan Wargo-Kearney . Charlotte came remarkably close to changing that outcome. The 49ers had not defeated NC State since 2006 and were one set away from ending that drought after taking the first two frames. But the Wolfpack responded with increasingly dominant volleyball. They held Charlotte to negative hitting in the third, controlled the net and service line in the fourth and attacked without an error in the fifth. NC State Turns Attention to LSU NC State now travels to Baton Rouge for another significant test. The Wolfpack will face LSU on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 8 p.m. in the ACC/SEC Challenge, with the match scheduled for SECN+. Charlotte will also head to Louisiana for the Southeastern Showdown, where the 49ers are scheduled to face LSU, Southeastern Louisiana and Texas Southern. Sunday's match showed how quickly momentum can change in college volleyball. Charlotte controlled the first two sets and moved within one frame of an upset. NC State answered by winning 25-17, 25-14 and 15-12 . With Smith delivering an MVP performance and the Wolfpack producing their best volleyball when the pressure was highest, NC State completed the 3-2 reverse sweep and closed its tournament weekend undefeated.