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Clemson survived a determined challenge from App State on Sunday, winning a five-set battle 3-2 in the final match of the Clemson Invitational at Jervey Gymnasium. The Tigers won 26-24, 23-25, 26-24, 17-25, 15-7 , twice watching App State answer a Clemson set victory before taking command of the deciding fifth frame. Anika Groom led Clemson with 17 kills , while App State received 15 kills apiece from Brooke Doherty and Bella Hutchens. The final score only tells part of the story. App State finished with more kills, assists, aces and blocks than Clemson, but the Tigers won two sets by the narrowest possible margin before delivering their strongest response when the match reached a fifth. Clemson Edges App State in Tight Opening Set The competitive nature of the match was established immediately. Clemson attacked at a .360 clip in the first set , while App State hit .273. Neither team was able to build much separation, with the margin remaining within two points throughout the frame. Clemson ultimately found the final two points it needed to secure a 26-24 victory . That close finish became a preview of what was ahead. App State immediately answered in the second set, producing 15 kills and hitting .250. The Mountaineers held off Clemson 25-23 , evening the match at one set apiece. Katherine Sandt Reaches Clemson Career Milestone The second set also produced a significant individual milestone for Clemson setter Katherine Sandt . Sandt moved into the top 10 in Clemson volleyball history for career assists during the match. The source identifies 2,054 assists as the landmark total that moved her into the program's top 10, and she reached 2,077 career assists during Sunday's contest. She finished the match with 39 assists , directing a Clemson attack that produced 55 kills. Her setting helped Groom emerge as the Tigers' leading offensive option. Tigers Win Another 26-24 Battle The third set closely resembled the first. App State and Clemson again battled into extra points, and once again the Tigers found a way to win 26-24 . Khaya Gordon made her first Clemson appearance of the season during the frame and immediately contributed three kills. Groom added four kills as the Tigers regained a 2-1 match advantage . The two 26-24 victories proved critical. App State would finish the match with the stronger numbers in several statistical categories, but Clemson repeatedly executed at the end of tight sets. App State Dominates Fourth Set With its season on the line in the match, App State delivered its strongest set of the afternoon. The Mountaineers established an early advantage and never allowed Clemson to recover. App State held the Tigers to a .000 hitting percentage in the fourth while producing 14 kills of its own. The Mountaineers rolled to a 25-17 victory , forcing the match into a decisive fifth set. At that stage, App State appeared to have momentum. The Mountaineers had just controlled the fourth frame and had already demonstrated they could match Clemson in the close sets. The fifth was different. Clemson Takes Control of Deciding Set Clemson quickly removed much of the suspense from the final frame. The Tigers opened the fifth with a 6-1 run , immediately forcing App State into a difficult position. The Mountaineers tried to respond, but Clemson maintained control. The Tigers eventually finished the set 15-7 , securing the five-set victory. According to Clemson's recap, the Tigers produced their best attacking set of the night in the fifth. After playing four competitive frames, including two that required extra points, Clemson saved one of its most complete stretches for the deciding set. Anika Groom Leads Clemson With 17 Kills Groom finished as Clemson's offensive leader with 17 kills . She also recorded 20.5 points and two service aces , leading the Tigers in all three categories. Groom's production became particularly important in the third set, when she supplied four kills during Clemson's second 26-24 victory of the match. Clemson also received 15 digs from Claire Luoma, while Alyssa Irwin led the Tigers with four blocks. The Tigers finished with 55 kills, 53 assists, four aces and nine blocks . Brooke Doherty and Bella Hutchens Pace App State App State produced several impressive individual performances despite the loss. Brooke Doherty and Bella Hutchens each recorded 15 kills , giving the Mountaineers two consistent attacking options. Doherty also collected 12 digs , completing a double-double. Lou Johnson was highly efficient, finishing with 10 kills on .389 hitting and six total blocks . Chelsea Gilmore added nine kills while hitting .333 and contributed three blocks. Those performances helped App State finish with 65 kills, 10 more than Clemson. Raegan Richardson Directs Mountaineers' Offense Setter Raegan Richardson finished with 44 assists, 11 digs and two blocks for App State. MeMe Davis anchored the back-row defense with a team-high 21 digs and also recorded three service aces. The Mountaineers' work at the net was another major strength. App State finished with 11 total blocks , compared with Clemson's nine. Johnson led the effort with six block assists, while Delanie Grevengoed contributed five. App State Wins Statistical Battle but Not the Match Few statistics illustrate the unusual nature of Sunday's result better than the overall team numbers. App State finished ahead of Clemson in several major categories. The Mountaineers had 65-55 advantages in kills, 58-53 in assists, 7-4 in aces and 11-9 in blocks . They also posted a slightly better hitting percentage, .222 to Clemson's .210 . Yet Clemson won the match. The explanation can be found in the individual set scores. The Tigers captured the opening and third frames by identical 26-24 scores . When another opportunity arrived in the fifth, Clemson did not allow the set to become another two-point battle. The Tigers established control immediately and finished 15-7. Clemson Moves Forward After Five-Set Victory Clemson's supplied recap lists the Tigers at 4-1 following the victory, although that same source contains an apparent typo referring to the result as a "3-1 win." The detailed set results and both team recaps support a 3-2 Clemson victory . The Tigers will next travel for the SEC-ACC Showdown at Ole Miss on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. , with the match scheduled for SECN+. Clemson then returns to Jervey Gymnasium to face South Carolina on Sept. 11. App State will travel to Elon, North Carolina, to face Elon on Tuesday . For the Mountaineers, the defeat came despite an afternoon filled with strong statistical performances. For Clemson, the victory came down to execution. The Tigers won two sets 26-24, recovered after App State's dominant fourth frame and then raced ahead 6-1 in the fifth. With Groom leading the offense and Sandt reaching a career milestone, Clemson finished the Clemson Invitational with a hard-earned 3-2 victory over App State .
No. 6 Louisville delivered one of its strongest performances of the young season Sunday, sweeping No. 9 Texas 3-0 at the Broadway Block Party inside Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Cardinals won 25-12, 28-26, 25-16 , improving to 5-1 while sending Texas to 3-3. Louisville controlled the opening set, survived three Texas set-point opportunities in a dramatic second frame and then pulled away in the third to complete the sweep. Texas outside hitter Torrey Stafford led the Longhorns with 14 kills and 10 digs for her second double-double of the season, but Louisville's balanced attack and blocking prevented Texas from establishing consistent offensive rhythm. Louisville Dominates Opening Set Texas scored the first two points, but the early advantage disappeared quickly. Louisville's front line began creating problems for the Longhorns, with Kalyssa Blackshear and Brooke Bultema helping establish the Cardinals' presence at the net. Louisville built a 13-7 lead and continued pulling away. A 15-4 Cardinals run eventually put the opening set firmly out of reach. Texas struggled to generate the offensive production it had shown in its previous match against USC. Louisville closed the set 25-12 , immediately putting the ninth-ranked Longhorns under pressure. Texas Responds in Dramatic Second Set The second set was completely different. Louisville jumped ahead 3-0, but Texas responded behind Cari Spears and Nya Bunton to tie the score at 4-4. From there, the teams exchanged control throughout a frame that featured 10 ties . Stafford became increasingly important for Texas, and the Longhorns eventually moved ahead 22-20 after a Henley Anderson tip. A Louisville service error later gave Texas a 24-22 advantage and an opportunity to even the match. The Cardinals refused to concede the set. Louisville Survives Three Texas Set Points Louisville answered Texas' 24-22 lead with three consecutive points. Texas then continued fighting. Stafford delivered a kill that was initially ruled out before a successful Texas challenge overturned the call, tying the score at 26-26 . The Longhorns ultimately had three opportunities at set point during the extended frame, but Louisville survived each one. Blackshear delivered another important attack to give Louisville its next set-point opportunity before winning a battle at the net to finish the frame 28-26 . Instead of entering intermission tied at one set apiece, Texas suddenly faced a 2-0 deficit. That sequence became the turning point of the match. Torrey Stafford Records Second Double-Double Stafford remained Texas' most productive attacker. She finished with a team-high 14 kills and 10 digs , earning her second double-double of the season. Stafford was especially important during the second set as Texas came within points of changing the direction of the match. Spears provided another significant offensive option, recording 12 kills . Together, Stafford and Spears accounted for 26 kills, but the Longhorns struggled to find enough production elsewhere against Louisville's defense. Texas finished with a .174 hitting percentage , while Louisville attacked at a considerably more efficient .350 clip . Louisville's Blocking Disrupts Texas Attack Louisville's work at the net was one of the defining elements of the match. The Cardinals repeatedly disrupted Texas' offense and finished with nine blocks across the three sets. Bultema and Blackshear helped establish that advantage early, and Louisville never allowed the Longhorns to develop sustained offensive momentum. The blocking pressure was particularly effective because Louisville also had multiple attacking options available. Chloe Meester and Chloe Chicoine combined for 25 kills , while Blackshear and Bultema combined for another 17. That balance made Louisville difficult to contain from several positions. Cardinals Take Control of Third Set Stafford opened the third set with a cross-court kill, giving Texas an encouraging start. Louisville immediately answered with a 5-1 run . Texas remained within striking distance early, with consecutive Spears kills cutting Louisville's advantage to 9-7 . The Cardinals then began creating separation. Louisville's lead eventually reached 20-12, forcing Texas to search for another combination. Head coach Jerritt Elliott inserted setter Ella Swindle, who helped the Longhorns generate a brief response by involving Texas' middle attackers and Spears. Swindle finished with four assists in her appearance. The adjustment was not enough to reverse the match. Louisville Finishes the Sweep The Cardinals continued attacking effectively down the stretch. Meester delivered consecutive kills during Louisville's late push, while Chicoine and Blackshear continued producing against the Texas block. Louisville ultimately scored the final four points of the match to secure a 25-16 third-set victory . The straight-set result completed a convincing afternoon for the Cardinals. Louisville had dominated the first set, survived Texas' strongest challenge in the second and controlled the decisive stages of the third. Texas Falls to 3-3 After Difficult Start The loss dropped Texas to 3-3 , a challenging opening stretch for a program that began the season ranked No. 2 nationally. The Longhorns have now suffered two straight-set losses, including an earlier defeat against No. 1 Nebraska. Texas has also been adjusting after losing starting outside hitter Abby Vander Wal to a season-ending knee injury. Despite the uneven start, Texas remained No. 9 in the Sept. 7 AVCA rankings included in the source material. Louisville, meanwhile, moved from No. 6 to No. 5 in that poll after improving to 5-1. Texas Faces Another Ranked Test at No. 8 SMU The schedule does not become easier for the Longhorns. Texas will travel to Dallas for its first true road match of the season against No. 8 SMU at Moody Coliseum , with first serve scheduled for 8 p.m. CT Wednesday on ACC Network. Texas will then return home to face No. 6 Wisconsin. Before those matches, the Longhorns will have to address the issues Louisville exposed in Nashville. Stafford and Spears gave Texas two productive offensive weapons, and the Longhorns came within one rally of changing the second set. Louisville simply provided fewer openings. The Cardinals hit .350, controlled the net and responded when Texas had its best chance to make the match competitive. Three sets later, Louisville left Nashville with an emphatic 3-0 victory over No. 9 Texas .
No. 2 Pitt faced its first real deficit of the 2026 season Sunday night. The Panthers responded by winning the next three sets and remaining unbeaten. After dropping the opening frame, Pitt defeated Utah 3-1 (15-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-9) in Salt Lake City. Olivia Babcock led the comeback with 18 kills, 13 digs and six blocks , recording her first double-double since November 2025 as the Panthers improved to 6-0 . Pitt hit .363 over the final three sets and completely overwhelmed Utah in the fourth, hitting .522 while closing the match with a 25-9 victory. Utah Hands Pitt Its First Set Deficit of 2026 Utah opened the match aggressively. The Utes scored the first four points and quickly built an 8-4 advantage , forcing Pitt head coach Dan Fisher to call timeout. Utah continued applying pressure and stretched the lead to 10-4, prompting Pitt to use its second timeout of the set. The deficit eventually reached 12-4 . Blaire Bayless slowed Utah's momentum with a kill, and Pitt managed to pull within five, but the Utes answered before the Panthers could complete the comeback. Utah won the opening set 25-15 . For the first time all season, Pitt trailed in a match. Panthers Respond Immediately in Set Two Pitt's response started early in the second. The Panthers won five of the first seven points before Utah recovered to tie the score at 7-7. Then Ayanna Watson and Jordyn Dailey delivered consecutive kills to spark a 4-0 Pitt run , pushing the Panthers ahead 11-7 and forcing a Utah timeout. Pitt continued building momentum at the net. A pair of block assists involving Dailey helped the Panthers establish a 15-9 advantage at the technical timeout. Utah remained competitive, but Pitt maintained control and finished the set 25-21 , evening the match at one set apiece. Olivia Babcock Finds Her Rhythm Babcock's evening did not begin smoothly. She committed three attack errors in the opening set as Utah controlled the frame. Over the next three sets, she looked completely different. Babcock hit .469 across the final three frames and made only two additional attack errors during that stretch. She finished the match with 18 kills, 13 digs and six blocks , with both the dig and block totals representing season highs. The double-double was her first since Pitt's November 14, 2025 match at Stanford. Babcock has now accumulated 109 kills through Pitt's first six matches , compared with 96 through six matches last season when she ultimately established the Panthers' single-season kills record. Pitt Takes Control Late in Third Set The third set was considerably tighter. Pitt opened with a 3-1 advantage, but Utah responded with three straight points to take its first lead of the frame. The Utes later moved ahead 12-10 . Neither team could create much separation until Pitt tied the score at 16-16 . Utah took the next point, but the Panthers responded with three straight to move ahead 19-17 . Bayless added an important kill, and a Utah attack error helped Pitt stretch its advantage to 23-20 . The Panthers closed the set 25-21 and took their first match lead at 2-1. Pitt Dominates Fourth Set 25-9 There was little drama in the fourth. Pitt opened with four consecutive points and won seven of the first eight. The Panthers then turned an early advantage into a rout. Pitt led 11-2 and continued pushing until the margin reached 19-4 . Utah never found a way back. The Panthers hit .522 in the final set , their most efficient offensive performance of the evening, and closed the match with a commanding 25-9 victory . After losing the first set by 10 points, Pitt won the fourth by 16. Jordyn Dailey Delivers Career-High Eight Blocks Pitt's blocking played a major role in turning the match around. Dailey recorded a career-best eight blocks while also producing a season-high four kills. The Panthers finished with a 12-8 advantage in total blocks . That defensive presence helped limit Utah's attack after the opening set and allowed Pitt to create momentum through extended rallies. Pitt ultimately held Utah to a .194 hitting percentage while finishing at .275 for the match. Izzy Starck Records Fifth Double-Double Setter Izzy Starck continued her strong start to the season with another double-double. Starck finished with 33 assists and 12 digs , recording her fifth double-double through Pitt's first six matches. Her setting became increasingly effective as the Panthers settled into the match. Freshman Ayanna Watson added eight kills and a team-high two service aces, while Bayless contributed 10 digs. Trinity Thompson added nine digs. Pitt also continued one of its most consistent early-season trends, outdigging Utah 52-49 . The Panthers have now won the dig battle in all six matches this season. Panthers Stay Perfect Against Utah Sunday's victory improved Pitt to 4-0 all-time against Utah . The Panthers also improved to 14-2 all-time when ranked No. 2 nationally and 263-38 when appearing in the AVCA poll. Pitt's broader recent record remains equally impressive. According to the supplied team recap, the Panthers are now 159-20 since the beginning of the 2021 season and 53-6 in regular-season non-conference matches during that span. They are also 33-1 against unranked non-conference opponents in regular-season play since 2021. Pitt Shows It Can Respond to Adversity The most important takeaway may not be another unbeaten result. For the first time this season, Pitt had to respond after being decisively beaten in a set. Utah controlled the opening frame 25-15. The Panthers did not panic. They won the second and third sets by identical 25-21 scores , then dominated the fourth 25-9. Babcock recovered from a difficult first set. Dailey controlled the net. Starck continued directing the offense. And Pitt hit .363 over the final three sets. That ability to adjust mid-match could become increasingly important as the schedule becomes more difficult. Panthers Face No. 22 Tennessee Next Pitt leaves Utah at 6-0 and immediately turns its attention to another ranked opponent. The Panthers will travel to Orlando to face No. 22 Tennessee on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Shriners Children's Showdown at the Net at ESPN Wide World of Sports. The match is scheduled to air on ESPN2. Sunday provided Pitt with something it had not experienced through its first five matches: an early deficit. The Panthers' response was convincing. They lost the opening set by 10, regrouped and won the next three. By the fourth, the No. 2 team in the country was firmly back in control. Final: No. 2 Pitt 3, Utah 1.
UCLA made its first-ever volleyball meeting with Miami a successful one Friday night, sweeping the Hurricanes 3-0 at the Knight Sports Complex in Coral Gables, Florida. The Bruins won 25-20, 25-20, 25-23 , improving to 3-1 while Miami fell to 0-3. Freshman middle blocker Brooke Harwood delivered the standout performance with 12 kills on a remarkable .688 hitting percentage , two blocks and only one attacking error. UCLA also produced its most efficient offensive performance of the young season, hitting .310 while recording seven service aces. The Bruins needed their composure late, however, as Miami held a 23-21 advantage in the third set before UCLA scored the final four points to complete the sweep. Miami Starts Strong Before UCLA Takes Over The Hurricanes did not look intimidated by UCLA early. Miami won three of the opening four points before the Bruins responded with four straight, sparked by a Harwood kill and an Ava Utterback service ace. The momentum quickly shifted again. Miami put together a 6-0 run to build an 11-7 advantage, forcing UCLA to use an early timeout. Marianna Singletary helped settle the Bruins with a pair of blocks, and UCLA began cutting into the deficit. Utterback and Harwood delivered kills after the media timeout before Vivian Hickman's ace tied the set at 15-15 . From there, UCLA took control. The Bruins won five of the next seven rallies to move ahead 20-17, with Harwood contributing two more kills during the run. Harwood finished the opening frame with five kills, while UCLA's serving became a major factor. The Bruins recorded five aces in the first set alone and completed their comeback with a 25-20 victory. Bruins Answer Another Miami Rally in Set Two UCLA's blocking helped establish an early advantage in the second. Singletary and Mija Bendziute combined for consecutive blocks as the Bruins put together a 3-0 run. UCLA later added five consecutive points to stretch its lead to 11-5 . Miami again refused to disappear. The Hurricanes erased the deficit and tied the set at 14-14 , forcing UCLA to find another response. The Bruins delivered one immediately after the media break. UCLA scored five straight points, with Utterback providing two kills during the surge, to restore a 19-14 advantage . Miami answered with three consecutive points, prompting a Bruins timeout. Utterback stopped the run with a critical kill. Singletary followed with two important attacks before UCLA closed the set behind consecutive kills from Cheridyn Urzua and Bendziute. The result was another 25-20 UCLA victory and a 2-0 match advantage. Brooke Harwood Shines in Freshman Season Harwood's efficiency was one of the biggest differences in the match. The freshman finished with 12 kills on a .688 hitting percentage , committing only one error while adding two blocks. Her performance accounted for a match-high 13 points for UCLA. Her impact became especially important when the Bruins faced their biggest threat of losing a set. Miami had UCLA on the verge of extending the match in the third. Harwood took over. Miami Pushes UCLA to the Limit in Third Set The Hurricanes again established an early advantage in the third frame. UCLA answered with a three-point run to move ahead, and the teams continued trading points through the middle stages. Another 3-0 Bruins run, capped by a Hickman ace, created a 13-10 UCLA lead . Singletary later contributed two kills and a block as UCLA moved ahead 19-17. Then Miami produced its strongest stretch of the set. The Hurricanes scored four consecutive points to take a 21-19 advantage. UCLA tied the score at 21, but Miami regained control and moved ahead 23-21 . The Hurricanes were only two points away from forcing a fourth set. They never scored again. UCLA Scores Final Four Points to Complete Sweep With the Bruins facing their largest late-set challenge of the evening, Harwood became the difference. The freshman powered UCLA's closing surge with three kills and a block , fueling a 4-0 run that turned a 23-21 deficit into a 25-23 victory . It was an emphatic finish to an already impressive performance. Miami's own recap also confirms that the Hurricanes held a 23-21 lead before UCLA closed the match with four unanswered points. Instead of allowing the match to reach a fourth frame, UCLA finished the sweep at its first opportunity. Ava Sarafa Directs UCLA to Season-Best Offense UCLA also received an important performance from Ava Sarafa , who made her first start as the Bruins' setter. Sarafa recorded 32 assists and six digs , directing an offense that hit a season-best .310. Her ability to distribute the ball allowed UCLA to get production from several attackers. Utterback finished with 10 kills on .300 hitting , reaching double-digit kills for the third time through UCLA's first four matches according to the team's match recap. Singletary added seven kills and a team-high five blocks , while Bendziute contributed five kills on .417 hitting and participated in four blocks. The balance gave Miami several offensive threats to defend throughout the match. Vivian Hickman Adds Pressure From Service Line Hickman anchored UCLA's back-row effort with a team-high nine digs . She also recorded two service aces, including an important ace that tied the opening set at 15-15 and another that capped a third-set run. UCLA's seven total aces became a consistent source of pressure. The serving performance was especially significant during the opening frame, when the Bruins recorded five aces while recovering from Miami's early advantage. Asia Harvey and Ruth Martinez Lead Miami Miami had its own productive offensive performances despite the loss. Asia Harvey recorded 12 kills , while Ruth Martinez added 11 for the Hurricanes. Ariana Rodriguez made her season debut and finished with 34 assists and two blocks . Those contributions allowed Miami to challenge UCLA for stretches in all three sets. The Hurricanes led 11-7 in the opener, rallied from a six-point deficit to tie the second at 14 and held a two-point advantage late in the third. UCLA simply responded each time. First-Ever Meeting Goes to UCLA Friday represented the first volleyball meeting between UCLA and Miami . The Bruins left Coral Gables with the first victory in the series and their second sweep through the opening four matches of the 2026 season . The performance also demonstrated UCLA's ability to win in different ways. The Bruins recovered from an early Miami run in the first set. They rebuilt their lead after the Hurricanes tied the second. Then they produced their most dramatic response of the night after trailing 23-21 in the third. Harwood's closing performance ensured Miami would not get another opportunity. UCLA and Miami Prepare for Rematch The teams did not have to wait long for another meeting. UCLA and Miami were scheduled to complete their two-match series the following day at the Knight Sports Complex. For UCLA, Friday's victory provided another encouraging step in the early stages of the season. Sarafa directed the Bruins to their best hitting percentage of the year. Utterback continued producing in double figures. Singletary and Bendziute strengthened the front-row defense. But the defining performance belonged to Harwood. With Miami threatening to force a fourth set, the freshman delivered three kills and a block during the decisive 4-0 closing run. That finish capped a 12-kill, .688 hitting performance and secured UCLA's 25-20, 25-20, 25-23 sweep of Miami .
Paige Bennett recorded 15 kills as Winthrop swept Virginia Tech 3-0 before a record crowd of 1,149 at Winthrop Coliseum.
Tulane handed Duke its first loss of 2026 with a 3-0 volleyball sweep as Taylor Williams led the Blue Devils with 13 kills and 10 digs.
No. 4 Stanford remained unbeaten Thursday night, but South Florida made the Cardinal work for their third victory of the season. Stanford defeated South Florida 3-1 at Maples Pavilion , winning 25-17, 25-18, 30-32, 25-15 in the first meeting between the two programs. Junior middle blocker Lizzy Andrew powered the Cardinal with career highs of 17 kills and 12 blocks , while South Florida fought off a potential sweep by erasing a six-point deficit and taking a dramatic third set. The victory improved Stanford to 3-0 , while South Florida fell to 1-3 after facing its second top-five opponent of the young season. Lizzy Andrew Delivers Career Night for Stanford Andrew produced the defining individual performance of the match. The junior middle blocker hit a season-high .500 , recorded a career-best 17 kills and established another career high with 12 blocks . The performance gave Andrew the first double-double of her collegiate career. Her production helped Stanford overcome a determined South Florida team that refused to disappear after dropping the opening two sets. Andrew's performance was also central to Stanford's dominance at the net. The Cardinal finished with a season-best 18 blocks , limiting South Florida to a .060 hitting percentage for the match. Stanford hit .220 as a team. Stanford Takes the Opening Two Sets South Florida scored the first point of the match, but Stanford quickly responded with four consecutive points. The Bulls answered with two straight to reduce the deficit to one and remained competitive through the middle stages of the opening set. Stanford eventually created separation. The Cardinal took the first set 25-17 , establishing an early 1-0 advantage. South Florida again scored first in the second set, but Stanford gradually took control and won 25-18 , putting the Bulls one set away from being swept. Instead of allowing the match to end in three, South Florida produced its strongest response of the night. South Florida Erases Six-Point Deficit The third set became the most competitive stretch of the match. South Florida and Stanford traded points early before reaching a 10-10 tie . Stanford then scored four unanswered points and eventually extended its advantage to 17-11 , the largest lead of the set. With the Cardinal already ahead two sets to none, South Florida was in danger of seeing the match end quickly. The Bulls responded. USF gradually erased the six-point deficit and pulled even at 21-21 . From there, neither team could create meaningful separation. The set continued beyond the standard 25-point finish as Stanford and South Florida traded critical points. Bulls Survive Stanford Match Point Stanford eventually reached a potential match-winning opportunity at 29-28 . South Florida needed a point to keep the match alive. The Bulls did considerably more. Mora Pampin and Paula Tomasa delivered consecutive kills, turning the one-point deficit into a 30-29 South Florida advantage . Stanford tied the set again, extending the battle. South Florida then scored the final two points to complete the comeback and win 32-30 . The Bulls had erased a six-point deficit, survived Stanford's opportunity to complete the sweep and forced a fourth set against the nation's No. 4 team. Stanford Responds in Fourth Set South Florida's third-set comeback extended the match, but Stanford did not allow the momentum to carry into the fourth. The Cardinal regained control and closed the match with a 25-15 victory in the final set. The 10-point margin provided Stanford with a convincing response after the extended third-set loss. The Cardinal's blocking remained one of the most important differences between the teams. Stanford combined its 18 blocks with 51 digs and three service aces , creating sustained defensive pressure that made it difficult for South Florida to establish consistent offense. Nina Jioshvili-Ravva Records Third Double-Double South Florida setter Nina Jioshvili-Ravva continued her productive start to the season. She finished with 29 assists and a match-high 13 digs , recording her third double-double of the season through the Bulls' first four matches. Mora Pampin led South Florida offensively with 13 kills . Addy Brus contributed 10 digs , giving her double-digit digs in consecutive matches. Those performances helped the Bulls extend the match despite Stanford's significant advantage at the net. Logan Parks Continues Strong Start Stanford setter Logan Parks also recorded a double-double. Parks finished with a season-high 44 assists and 10 digs , while adding two kills, two blocks and one ace. The sophomore has now recorded a double-double in each of Stanford's first three matches. Her 44 assists helped distribute Stanford's offense beyond Andrew. The Cardinal received several notable contributions from players making their collegiate debuts. Kaci Demaria Makes Immediate Impact Sophomore outside hitter Kaci Demaria made her collegiate debut after redshirting her first season at Stanford. She immediately became one of the Cardinal's leading contributors. Demaria finished with 13 kills, seven blocks and two digs , giving Stanford another major presence at the net. Freshman middle blocker Ella Andrews also made her collegiate debut and recorded nine kills on .316 hitting with six blocks . Their performances complemented Lizzy Andrew's career night and helped explain how Stanford accumulated 18 blocks. Stanford Gets Production Across the Lineup Jordyn Harvey added eight kills, nine digs, four blocks and an ace . Julia Blyashov contributed six kills, 10 digs, three blocks and three assists , while libero Spencer Etzler collected 10 digs, two assists and an ace . That balance helped Stanford overcome South Florida's third-set resistance without allowing the match to reach a fifth. The Cardinal also continued their success at Maples Pavilion. Stanford improved to 116-14 at home under head coach Kevin Hambly , who is in his 10th season leading the program. South Florida Shows Fight Against Another Top-Five Opponent The final result goes into the standings as another South Florida loss, but the third set demonstrated the Bulls' ability to compete through adversity. USF was facing its second top-five opponent of the 2026 season . After losing the opening two sets and falling behind 17-11 in the third, South Florida could have allowed Stanford to finish the sweep. Instead, the Bulls rallied. They tied the set at 21, survived match point and ultimately defeated the fourth-ranked Cardinal 32-30 . Stanford's defense and blocking eventually proved too much, but South Florida forced the Cardinal to earn the victory. Stanford Remains Unbeaten at 3-0 The 3-1 victory kept Stanford perfect through its first three matches. Andrew's first collegiate double-double led the way, while Parks recorded her third straight double-double and Demaria and Ella Andrews made productive collegiate debuts. South Florida, meanwhile, leaves Stanford at 1-3 with another challenging match approaching. The Bulls will have a day away from competition before facing Marquette on Saturday, September 5, at 4 p.m. ET . Stanford will also face Marquette, hosting the Golden Eagles on Sunday at Maples Pavilion. For the Cardinal, Thursday produced another victory. For the Bulls, the 32-30 third-set comeback provided the night's strongest evidence that they could compete with one of the nation's highest-ranked programs.
The Dallas Wings entered the FIBA Women's World Cup break with momentum, another dominant victory and an increasingly important position in the WNBA playoff race. Arike Ogunbowale scored 18 points, Jessica Shepard recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds, and the Wings defeated the Connecticut Sun 97-71 on Sunday night at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. The victory extended Dallas' winning streak to four games and completed a season sweep of Connecticut. Paige Bueckers added 15 points and six assists, while Maddy Siegrist scored 11 as Dallas improved to 24-16 . The Wings now have their most victories in a season since the franchise won 24 games as the Detroit Shock in 2007. More importantly, Dallas enters the break tied with New York and Washington in a crowded battle for playoff positioning. Jessica Shepard Extends Wings Double-Double Record Shepard continued one of the most productive rebounding seasons in franchise history. Her 17-point, 10-rebound performance marked her 22nd double-double of the season , extending the Wings' franchise record. Only Angel Reese, with 29, has recorded more double-doubles in the WNBA this season. Shepard established herself early. After Connecticut briefly took an 11-10 lead, Dallas began repeatedly attacking the basket. Shepard drove through the defense for a three-point play that pushed the Wings ahead 22-14, then added another interior basket later in the first. She finished the opening half with 12 points and six rebounds. Her combination of scoring and rebounding helped Dallas establish control that Connecticut never regained. Dallas Takes Command With 32-Point First Quarter The Sun briefly took their first lead when Saniya Rivers converted a driving layup approximately four and a half minutes into the game. It lasted only 11 seconds. Bueckers answered with an inside basket to put Dallas back in front, and the Wings never trailed again. Ogunbowale then drove through the Connecticut defense and completed a three-point play for a 15-11 advantage. Dallas continued attacking the rim. Bueckers scored inside. Awak Kuier followed with another basket. Shepard added her three-point play. Alysha Clark provided the perimeter complement, knocking down two three-pointers late in the quarter. By the end of the first, the Wings had built a 32-18 advantage . Paige Bueckers Helps Dallas Score 60 Before Halftime Dallas didn't slow down much during the second quarter. Bueckers continued her efficient offensive performance and reached halftime with 15 points and four assists on 6-of-10 shooting . Ogunbowale had 12 points at the break, while Shepard had already collected 12 points and six rebounds. The Wings scored 60 first-half points and took a 60-47 advantage into halftime. Connecticut remained within reach largely because of Aaliyah Edwards. Aaliyah Edwards Scores 21 Points in First Half While Dallas produced balanced offense, Edwards carried much of Connecticut's scoring load. She scored 21 of her 26 points before halftime , including 16 during the second quarter. Her 26 points matched her career high. Edwards' production prevented Dallas from completely breaking the game open before halftime. The Wings changed that after the break. Connecticut struggled dramatically on offense during the third quarter, shooting just 4-of-17 from the field and 1-of-6 from three-point range . The Sun also made only three of six free throws. Dallas outscored Connecticut 23-12 in the third , transforming a 13-point halftime advantage into a commanding lead. Edwards, meanwhile, was held to only five points after halftime. Arike Ogunbowale Pushes the Lead Higher Ogunbowale helped Dallas establish control immediately after halftime. Bueckers found her in transition on the Wings' opening possession, and Ogunbowale connected on her first two three-pointers of the game during the opening three minutes of the third quarter. Dallas quickly stretched its 13-point halftime advantage to 17. Ogunbowale eventually finished with a team-high 18 points . Her scoring was part of a balanced Dallas performance in which the Wings did not need to overwork their starters. None of the Dallas starters played more than 26 minutes. That became possible because the Wings' reserves helped finish the job. Aziaha James Sparks Decisive Third-Quarter Run Aziaha James provided one of the most important bench performances of the night in her return to action. James had missed the previous five games after suffering a foot injury against Toronto on August 12. Against Connecticut, she scored seven of her nine points during six third-quarter minutes . Her impact went beyond scoring. James battled for an offensive rebound following a missed Shepard free throw, creating another possession that ended with a Siegrist basket. She later connected on a three-pointer from the right wing to put Dallas ahead 78-57. James then hit a pull-up jumper in the lane as the Wings continued pulling away. Her energy helped fuel a 14-4 Dallas run late in the third. By the end of the quarter, the Wings led 83-59 . The competitive portion of the game was essentially over. Wings Stretch Advantage to 30 Points Dallas continued applying pressure in the fourth quarter. The Wings eventually pushed their advantage to 30 points midway through the period before turning the game over to their reserves. That comfortable finish demonstrated just how thoroughly Dallas had taken control after halftime. The Wings entered the break ahead by 13. By the fourth, Connecticut had little realistic opportunity to mount a comeback. Dallas' ability to attack the basket, generate transition opportunities and receive contributions throughout the rotation proved too much. Awak Kuier Sets Wings Blocked-Shot Record The victory also included a franchise milestone for Awak Kuier. Kuier recorded three blocked shots , increasing her season total to 57 and establishing a new Wings franchise record for blocked shots in a single season . Her defensive presence gave Dallas another reason to celebrate before the World Cup break. The Wings did have some difficulty defending Connecticut inside during portions of the first half, particularly against Edwards. But their second-half adjustment was significant. After Connecticut scored 47 points before halftime, the Sun managed only 24 points over the final two quarters . Charlisse Leger-Walker Adds 17 for Connecticut Edwards was not Connecticut's only double-digit scorer. Charlisse Leger-Walker made five three-pointers and finished with 17 points . Still, Connecticut could not match Dallas' depth and balance. The Sun fell to 10-30 , while the Wings secured the season sweep. For Connecticut, the game represented the final meeting with Dallas before the franchise's planned rebrand to the Houston Comets next season, according to the supplied source. Dallas Wins Fourth Straight and Strengthens Playoff Position The Wings have picked an ideal time to play their best basketball. Dallas has now won four consecutive games and improved to 24-16 with four regular-season games remaining. The Wings enter the World Cup break in a three-way tie with the New York Liberty and Washington Mystics for sixth place , sitting two games behind Indiana and Atlanta. The supplied source notes an important detail in that three-team race: Washington owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over Dallas, while the Wings hold the head-to-head advantage over New York. That makes the final four games especially significant. Dallas will return from the break on September 17 against the Los Angeles Sparks at home. Connecticut resumes its schedule the same day on the road against Atlanta. Wings Enter World Cup Break With Momentum Dallas couldn't have asked for a much stronger finish before the league's World Cup pause. The Wings scored 60 points in the first half, held Connecticut to 24 in the second and led by as many as 30. Ogunbowale led the scoring. Bueckers provided another efficient offensive performance. Kuier established a franchise record. James made an immediate impact in her return. And Shepard continued a remarkable season with her 22nd double-double . The result was a convincing 97-71 victory and a fourth consecutive win for a Dallas team entering the final stretch of the regular season with playoff positioning still very much in play. The Wings have four games remaining. After Sunday's performance, they will enter those games carrying considerable momentum.
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