A new era of women’s college volleyball began Saturday.
With FOX set to broadcast 35 matches this season, action started with the Jeep AVCA First Serve double-header. The nonconference showdown began with No. 7 Louisville facing No. 6 Wisconsin at 4:00 PM ET, followed by No. 2 Texas and No. 12 Arizona State at 7:00 PM ET on FS1.
Here are the top moments and results from each match:
Wisconsin Sweeps Louisville
In the first set, Wisconsin broke away from Louisville with a 7-1 scoring run. Grace Egan aced a serve and the Badgers celebrated, mimicking Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Sui’ celebration. An ace and a kill from Audrey Flanagan extended their lead to 21-13. After three unanswered points from the Cardinals, Flanagan’s kill secured the set for Wisconsin.
Wisconsin dominated the early part of the second set. Egan delivered a kill from the right side to give the Badgers a 15-7 lead. An ace from Chloe Chicoine helped Louisville cut the margin to 20-16. Wisconsin regained control with a bump from Charlie Fuerbringer and a block from Jaela Auguste. Eva Travis’ kill concluded the second match for the Badgers.
The Badgers controlled the third set as well, holding a healthy lead throughout. They took a 22-16 advantage after Chicoine’s hit sailed out of bounds. Louisville challenged, believing the ball deflected off Wisconsin, but lost. A kill from Flanagan set up Wisconsin’s match point, and an error by Louisville sealed the result.
It was an emphatic victory for Wisconsin in straight sets to open the Jeep AVCA First Serve. Flanagan led the Badgers with 13 kills, and Wisconsin held Louisville to a .234 hitting percentage.
Arizona Delivers Shocking Upset Over Texas
National champion runner-ups Texas faced Arizona State for their first catchup in the Jeep AVCA First Serve tournament.
The first set went to the Sun Devils with a 25-17 win. Especially facing a talented No. 2 ranked Texas, Arizona State went out on top early. Through the first set, Texas only took one lead, jumping to 7-6 over the Sun Devils. However, Arizona State stormed back to take the lead back and clinch the first set. Una Vajagic, Noemiie Glover and Maeva Schalck tacked on four kills a piece.
Arizona State’s first set translated into the second, defeating Texas 25-17. It was a dominant defensive performance when they took the lead after being tied 6-6 with Texas and never looked back. The Sun Devils registered a .345 average through their first two sets to take a 2-0 lead into the third set.
The third set is when the Longhorns responded. Texas took set three 25-19 to stay alive, recording six blocks. Nya Bunton led the way with her six kills heading into the fourth set.
While Texas’s momentum should’ve translated into the fourth set, the Sun Devils were merely unstoppable. Arizona State climbed all the way up to a 20-10 lead over the Longhorns, which set them up for their first win over Texas since 2013 and a shocking upset to open the season. Glover finished the day with 13 total kills and Vajagic was right behind her with 12.
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