Lady Vols sweep UCLA in top 25 volleyball match

Lady Vols sweep UCLA to earn eighth top 25 victory under head coach Eve Rackham Watt.

No. 17 Tennessee (1-2) defeated No. 25 UCLA (2-1), 25-15, 26-24, 27-25, Thursday at Food City Center.

The match was witnessed by 3,702 fans, the second largest crowd in program history. Tennessee also recorded its eighth victory over a top 25 opponent under head coach Eve Rackham Watt.

Junior outside hitter Hayden Kubik recorded a career-high 12 kills and 13 digs, her first career double-double for the Lady Vols. Nina Cajic, a graduate student and outside hitter, totaled 14 kills and eight digs. The transfer from Townson also hit .324 against the Bruins.

Paityn Chapman totaled 11 kills and five digs, while redshirt sophomore setter Caroline Kerr was the leading passer for the Lady Vols with 38 assists. She also finished with eight digs, three blocks, two kills and one ace to help Tennessee earn its first win of the 2024 season.

Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network

Gators volleyball cracks top 10 in latest AVCA/TARAFLEX Rankings

Florida scored wins against Colorado State, Northern Colorado and Michigan State this past weekend on three straight days.

Florida’s volleyball team moved up a spot in the first regular-season AVCA/TARAFLEX Division I WVB Poll released on Monday, putting the Gators at No. 10 in the rankings after a strong start.

The Orange and Blue scored wins against the Colorado State Rams, Northern Colorado Bears and Michigan State Spartans this past weekend on three straight days, respectively. Florida put up a .317 attacking percentage over that stretch, along with 13.36 kills per set and averaging 12.27 assists, 10.27 digs, 2.45 blocks and 2.18 aces per set.

The Gators came into the 2024 campaign ranked in preseason top 15 for a 33rd-straight year — the third-longest in the sport’s history following the Stanford Cardinals and Nebraska Cornhuskers, the latter of whom still have an active streak going.

AVCA/TARAFLEX Division I WVB Poll

Rank School (1st Place Votes) Points Previous
Rank
1 Texas (51) 1,514 1
2 Nebraska (10) 1,470 2
3 Pittsburgh 1,375 4
4 Louisville 1,352 6
5 Stanford 1,253 5
6 Wisconsin 1,211 3
7 Penn State 1,149 7
8 Purdue 1,049 8
9 Kentucky 965 9
10 Florida 930 11
11 Creighton 906 12
12 Oregon 876 10
13 Kansas 787 13
14 BYU 668 16
15 Florida State 526 20
16 Arizona State 513 17
17 Tennessee 486 15
18 Minnesota 453 18
19 Georgia Tech 399 14
20 Southern California 375 21
21 Arkansas 310 19
22 Dayton 257 22
23 Baylor 241 23
24 Marquette 182 24
25 UCLA 134 NR

Others receiving votes and listed on two or more ballots:

Georgia 88; Western Kentucky 68; TCU 62; Houston 41; Ohio State 30; Hawai’i 28; Miami (FL) 23; Washington State 23; Auburn 20; SMU 12; Missouri 11; Indiana 10; Washington 10; UNLV 4

Dropped Out: Georgia (25)

* 4 teams mentioned on only one ballot for a total of 13 combined points

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Tennessee sets attendance record versus Penn State

Tennessee sets Food City attendance record versus Penn State.

No. 7 Penn State (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated No. 15 Tennessee (0-1, 0-0 SEC), 22-25, 25-16, 25-15, 25-20, Friday at Food City Center in the season opener for both schools.

The match was played before a record crowd of 6,193 fans, breaking a previous record of 3,376 that witnessed the Lady Vols’ match against Kentucky on Oct. 27, 2021.

Tennessee committed 23 attacking errors against Penn State.

Freshman outside hitter Paityn Chapman led the Lady Vols with 12 kills and also recorded two blocks.

Junior outside hitter Hayden Kubik totaled 11 kills and nine digs, while graduate transfer Nina Cajic, who previously played for Townson, recorded 10 kills, six digs and two assists.

Setter and redshirt sophomore Caroline Kerr recorded a sixth double-double of her collegiate career, totaling 38 assists and 11 digs.

https://twitter.com/Vol_VBall/status/1829662458551890314

Gators volleyball ranked in preseason top 15 for 33rd-straight year

Once again, the Florida Gators are in position to dominate the college volleyball realm this season.

The American Volleyball Coaches Association/TARAFLEX Preseason Division I Top-25 poll was announced on Monday and the Florida Gators earned the No. 11 spot ahead of the 2024 campaign.

It marks the 33rd-straight season that the Orange and Blue is ranked among the top 15 in the preseason poll. That is the third-longest in the sport’s history following the Stanford Cardinals and Nebraska Cornhuskers, the latter of whom still have an active streak going.

Florida is scheduled to face seven ranked opponents during the 2024 campaign, including four opponents in the top 15: No. 1 Texas Longhorns; No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats; No. 14 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets; No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers.

Florida volleyball’s opening weekend

The Gators kick off their 2024 campaign out west in Colorado starting on Aug. 30 against the Colorado State Rams in Fort Collins. They will then face the Northern Colorado Bears on Aug. 31 in Greeley before finishing the first weekend of play against the Michigan State Spartans back in Fort Collins on Sept. 1.

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Gators volleyball will have 11 regular-season games televised

Six of Florida volleyball’s 2024 regular-season matches will be on either ESPN or ESPN2 while five others will be on the SEC Network.

Eleven of Florida volleyball’s regular season games will be televised in 2024, according to the schedule revealed by ESPN and the SEC Network on Thursday. Six of the games will be broadcast by the former while the other five by the latter.

The Gators open up their televised schedule on Sunday, Sept. 8, in Gainesville against the Ohio State Buckeyes, which will be broadcast on ESPN2. The following match at the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Wednesday, Sept. 11, will also be featured on the same channel.

The rivalry matchup inside the O’Connell Center against the Florida State Seminoles will once again be broadcast on ESPN2.

The first Southeastern Conference foe to hit the airwaves against Florida is the Kentucky Wildcats, who travel to Gainesville for a Sunday, Sept. 29, tangle that will be broadcast on ESPN. The following match at home against the Texas Longhorns on Sunday, Oct. 6, will also be on that same channel.

The final ESPN game comes against the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge on Sunday, Oct. 20.

The SEC Network will provide coverage starting with the home match against the Buffalo Bisons, followed by the road meeting with the Texas A&M Aggies and the home match with the Tennessee Volunteers. The final two games are on the road at the Arkansas Razorbacks and Auburn Tigers, respectively.

An additional slate of matches that will be available on SECN+ via WatchESPN will be announced at a later date.

Florida Volleyball TV Schedule

Date Time (ET) Matchup Airing on
Friday, Sept. 8 4 p.m. Ohio State at Florida ESPN2
Wednesday, Sept. 11 7 p.m. Florida at Georgia Tech ESPN2
Tuesday, Sept. 17 7 p.m. Florida State at Florida ESPN2
Sunday, Sept. 22 3 p.m. Buffalo at Florida SEC Network
Sunday, Sept. 29 1 p.m. Kentucky at Florida ESPN
Sunday, Oct. 6 1 p.m. Texas at Florida ESPN
Friday, Oct. 18 9 p.m. Florida at Texas A&M SEC Network
Sunday, Oct. 20 1 p.m. Florida at LSU ESPN2
Friday, Oct. 25 7 p.m. Tennessee at Florida SEC Network
Wednesday, Oct. 30 8 p.m. Florida at Arkansas SEC Network
Wednesday, Nov. 20 8 p.m. Florida at Auburn SEC Network

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Chase Budinger: 5 facts about Team USA’s new volleyball star who was once of the NBA’s best dunkers

Chase Budinger is putting those hops to good use

For the Paris Olympics this summer, For The Win is helping you get to know some of the star Olympians competing on the world’s biggest stage. We’re highlighting 15 Team USA athletes in the 15 days leading up to the Opening Ceremony. Up next is Chase Budinger

We’ve seen athletes show up at the Olympics after specializing in other sports before. That’s not necessarily unique.

For example, there’ve been several Olympians from the NFL who have made the crossover before. But it’s not just an athlete making that crossover that’s special — it’s actually how good the athlete is at the other sport.

That’s why the story of Chase Budinger, the volleyball player, is so incredible.

If you’ve watched the NBA before, you probably recognize that name. Budinger put together a solid career in the league before retiring. These days, he’s traded in the orange round ball for a white one. Budinger is one of the United States’ best volleyball players.

Here’s everything you need to know about Team USA’s budding volleyball star. Get it? Budding? Sorry about that. Let’s get into it.

1. Chase Budinger had a lengthy NBA career

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY

Budinger had a pretty solid NBA career from 2009 to 2016. He appeared in games for the Rockets, Timberwolves, Suns and Pacers before continuing to play ball overseas in Spain.

He averaged a solid 7.9 points per game through 407 NBA games played. Obviously, that’s not a superstar-level career. But it’s still pretty good! He made just more than $18 million through his NBA career.

2. He was a McDonald’s All-American

Arizona’s Chase Budinger throws down a break away dunk against University of Louisville in the 1st half in the NCAA Men’s Midwest Regional semi final in Indianapolis, IN on Friday, March 27, 2009.JULIAN H. GONZALEZ/Detroit Free Press

Chase wasn’t a slouch coming into the NBA. He may have been more of a role player in the league, but he was one of the best high school prospects coming into his class, averaging 34 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Budinger was ranked as the 3rd best prospect in the nation for the class of 2006 by Rivals.com. As a freshman at Arizona, he averaged 15.5 points and was named the Pac-10 Rookie of the Year.

3. He was a volleyball star, too

Jun 19, 2024; Hermosa Beach, Calif., USA: Chase Budinger spikes the ball during a morning training session at Hermosa Beach, Calif. on Jue 19, 2024. Budinger is a former collegiate and NBA basketball player who has made the Olympic Beach Volleyball Team. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY

Budinger was a two-sport athlete in high school. He may have been just as good at volleyball as he was at basketball.

He led his team to three state championships and was named National High School Player of the Year by Volleyball Magazine, according to this profile from USA TODAY’s Jordan Mendoza.

Volleyball was a bit of a family trade for the Budingers. Both his brother and sister, Duncan and Brittanie, played volleyball professionally. Brittanie is even in the Hall of Honor for the West Coast Conference.

Budinger told the Indianapolis Star that part of his plan was to “play beach volleyball when basketball was over.” Here he is, doing it at a high level.

4. He’s an elite dunker

These hops are the reason he’s so good at volleyball. This reel of him dunking will absolutely get you out of your seat today.

He was so good as a dunker he participated in the 2012 NBA Dunk Contest and was pretty solid. He’s putting those hops to use elsewhere these days.

5. Budinger and Team USA will play in late July

You’ll be able to watch Budinger and Team USA take to the net on July 27 when Team USA opens its preliminary round matchup against Argentina.

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Florida volleyball ranks 2nd in SEC Preseason Coaches Poll

Florida volleyball program earned the No. 2 ranking behind Texas Longhorns in the SEC Preseason Coaches Poll for the second straight season.

The Florida volleyball program earned the No. 2 ranking in the SEC Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference announced on Wednesday, for the second straight season.

The Gators earned a single first-place vote and 174 total points, landing them behind two-time defending national champions and a new addition to the Southeastern Conference, the Texas Longhorns.

UF setter Alexis Stucky and opposite hitter Kennedy Martin were also named to the Preseason All-SEC Team in the announcement.

Florida returns 12 players from the 2023 season, with seven starting in at least four matches. Starting Libero Elli McKissock and outside hitter AC Fitzpatrick join the two All-Americans for their last year of eligibility, while seniors Gabrielle Essix and Trinity Adams, as well as junior Emily Canaan,  return for legendary head coach Mary Wise’s 34th season in Gainesville.

2024 SEC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll

Rank School Points
1. Texas (14) 196
2. Florida (1) 174
3. Kentucky 173
4. Georgia 148
5. Tennessee 144
6. Missouri 127
7. Texas A&M 117
8. Arkansas 109
9. LSU 82
10. Auburn 77
11. Oklahoma 73
12. Ole Miss 49
T-12. South Carolina 49
14. Mississippi State 42
15. Alabama 15

(First-Place Votes in Parentheses)

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Lady Vols announce 2024 volleyball schedule

Lady Vols release 2024 volleyball schedule.

Tennessee volleyball head coach Eve Rackham Watt announced the Lady Vols’ 2024 schedule.

The Lady Vols will open the season with an exhibition game against Lipscomb on Aug. 23 at Food City Center.

Tennessee’s schedule includes matches against 15 NCAA Tournament teams and seven conference champions. The Lady Vols will play its annual Orange & White match on Aug. 21.

On Aug. 30, the Lady Vols will host Penn State before traveling to Louisville on Aug. 31.

Tennessee will also play Arkansas on Nov. 22. The Lady Vols will end regular-season play against defending national champion Texas in Austin on Nov. 27.

The Lady Vols will also play SEC home matches against Alabama, Kentucky, Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M, Georgia, South Carolina and the Razorbacks.

Tennessee has conference road matches against Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas.

Final 2024 USA TODAY Sports/AVCA boys volleyball regional rankings

The best volleyball teams in the West, Midwest, South, and Northeast regions during the 2024 season.

Here are the final USA TODAY Sports/American Volleyball Coaches Association regional volleyball rankings for the 2024 season.

Related: Cubs earn second straight USA TODAY Sports/AVCA Super 25 national title

West Region: 

1. Loyola High School (Calif.)

Record: 32-1-1

2. Mira Costa High School (Calif.)

Record: 37-5

3. Torrey Pines High School (Calif.)

Record: 31-4

4. Corona Del Mar High School (Calif.)

Record: 24-8

5. Huntington Beach High School (Calif.)

Record: 28-7

6. Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix, Ariz.)

Record: 42-3-2

7. Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, Calif.)

Record: 27-9

8. Sandra Day O’Connor High School (Ariz.)

Record: 37-6-1

9. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.)

Record: 22-8

10. Kamehameha High School (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Record: 24-13-2

11. Punahou High School (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Record: 23-3

12. Palo Verde High School (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 30-7

13. Clovis High School (Calif.)

Record: 31-5

14. Redondo Union High School (Calif.)

Record: 32-8

15. Maple Mountain (Spanish Fork, Utah)

Record: 25-2

Midwest Region:

1. Marist High School (Chicago, Ill.)

Record: 39-2

2. Glenbard West High School (Glen Ellyn, Ill.)

Record: 38-4

3. St. Xavier High School (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Record: 27-1

4. York High School (Elmhurst, Ill.)

Record: 37-5

5. Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.)

Record: 38-4

6. Lafayette High School (Wildwood, Mo.)

Record: 30-2

7. Olentangy Liberty High School (Powell, Ohio)

Record: 25-2

8. Lyons Township High School (LaGrange, Ill.)

Record: 34-6

9. Roncalli High School (Indianapolis, Ind.)

Record: 33-5

10. Lincoln-Way West High School (New Lenox Ill.)

Record: 32-8

11. Lockport High School (Ill.)

Record: 32-6

12. Glenbrook South High School (Glenview, Ill.)

Record: 32-7

13. Lowell High School (Mich.)

Record: 39-2

14. Hudsonville High School (Mich.)

Record: 33-4

15. Cathedral High School (Indianapolis, Ind.)

Record: 28-4

Northeast Region:

1. Shaler High School (Pa.)

Record: 40-2-2

2. Old Bridge High School (N.J.)

Record: 32-0

3. Meadville High School (Pa.)

Record: 26-1-2

4. Parkland High School (Allentown, Pa.)

Record: 27-9

5. Manheim Central High School (Pa.)

Record: 20-2

6. Exeter High School (Reading, Pa.)

Record: 26-2

7. Cherry Hill West High School (N.J.)

Record: 25-2

8. Scotch Plains-Fanwood (N.J.)

Record: 30-2

9. Simsbury High School (Conn.)

Record: 24-0

10. Newton North High School (Mass.)

Record: 23-3

South Region: 

1. Winter Park High School (Fla.)

Record: 30-0

2. Lake Howell High School (Winter Park, Fla.)

Record: 30-2

3. Timber Creek High School (Orlando, Fla.)

Record: 24-6

4. Southwest Miami High School (Fla.)

Record: 24-8

5. Miami Senior High School (Fla.)

Record: 29-2

6. Marvin Ridge High School (Waxhaw, N.C.)

Record: 26-0

7. Allatoona High School (Acworth, Ga.)

Record: 19-0-1

8. West Forsyth High School (Clemmons, N.C.)

Record: 21-2

9. Freedom High School (Orlando, Fla.)

Record: 23-6

10. Loganville High School (Ga.)

Record: 28-5

National scoreboard from ScoreStream

Live Stream High School Sports on the NFHS Network

2024 USA TODAY Sports/AVCA boys volleyball regional rankings: Week 14

The best volleyball teams in the West, Midwest, South, and Northeast regions as the 2024 season moves to the final week.

Here are the USA TODAY Sports/American Volleyball Coaches Association regional volleyball rankings as the 2024 season heads toward Week 15 action.

Related: See the latest USA TODAY Sports/AVCA Super 25

West Region: 

1. Loyola High School (Calif.)

Record: 32-1-1

2. Mira Costa High School (Calif.)

Record: 37-5

3. Torrey Pines High School (Calif.)

Record: 31-4

4. Corona Del Mar High School (Calif.)

Record: 24-8

5. Huntington Beach High School (Calif.)

Record: 28-7

6. Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix, Ariz.)

Record: 42-3-2

7. Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, Calif.)

Record: 27-9

8. Sandra Day O’Connor High School (Ariz.)

Record: 37-6-1

9. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.)

Record: 22-8

10. Kamehameha High School (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Record: 24-13-2

11. Punahou High School (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Record: 23-3

12. Palo Verde High School (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Record: 30-7

13. Clovis High School (Calif.)

Record: 31-5

14. Redondo Union High School (Calif.)

Record: 32-8

15. Maple Mountain (Spanish Fork, Utah)

Record: 25-2

Midwest Region:

1. Marist High School (Chicago, Ill.)

Record: 39-2

2. Glenbard West High School (Glen Ellyn, Ill.)

Record: 38-4

3. St. Xavier High School (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Record: 27-1

4. York High School (Elmhurst, Ill.)

Record: 37-5

5. Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.)

Record: 38-4

6. Lafayette High School (Wildwood, Mo.)

Record: 30-2

7. Olentangy Liberty High School (Powell, Ohio)

Record: 25-2

8. Lyons Township High School (LaGrange, Ill.)

Record: 34-6

9. Roncalli High School (Indianapolis, Ind.)

Record: 33-5

10. Lincoln-Way West High School (New Lenox Ill.)

Record: 32-8

11. Lockport High School (Ill.)

Record: 32-6

12. Glenbrook South High School (Glenview, Ill.)

Record: 32-7

13. Lowell High School (Mich.)

Record: 39-2

14. Hudsonville High School (Mich.)

Record: 33-4

15. Cathedral High School (Indianapolis, Ind.)

Record: 28-4

Northeast Region:

1. Shaler High School (Pa.)

Record: 35-2-2

2. Exeter High School (Reading, Pa.)

Record: 26-1

3. Old Bridge High School (N.J.)

Record: 32-0

4. Parkland High School (Allentown, Pa.)

Record: 26-8

5. Central York High School (York, Pa.)

Record: 18-0-1

6. Pennsbury High School (Pa.)

Record: 18-0

7. Cherry Hill West High School (N.J.)

Record: 25-2

8. Scotch Plains-Fanwood (N.J.)

Record: 30-2

9. Simsbury High School (Conn.)

Record: 24-0

10. Newton North High School (Mass.)

Record: 20-3

South Region: 

1. Winter Park High School (Fla.)

Record: 30-0

2. Lake Howell High School (Winter Park, Fla.)

Record: 30-2

3. Timber Creek High School (Orlando, Fla.)

Record: 24-6

4. Southwest Miami High School (Fla.)

Record: 24-8

5. Miami Senior High School (Fla.)

Record: 29-2

6. Marvin Ridge High School (Waxhaw, N.C.)

Record: 26-0

7. Allatoona High School (Acworth, Ga.)

Record: 19-0-1

8. West Forsyth High School (Clemmons, N.C.)

Record: 21-2

9. Freedom High School (Orlando, Fla.)

Record: 23-6

10. Loganville High School (Ga.)

Record: 28-5

National scoreboard from ScoreStream

Live Stream High School Sports on the NFHS Network