Wednesday’s NCAA Division I volleyball matches saw two significant victories for the Kansas Jayhawks and the Baylor Bears in Big 12 conference play. In addition, South Carolina’s Riley Whitesides posted a spectacular performance with 30 kills in a five-set win against LSU, leading the charge in another exciting day of volleyball action. Off the court, tensions are rising around the controversy involving San Jose State and the Mountain West Conference, adding fuel to an already heated season.
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Kansas and Baylor Take Big 12 Victories
The match of the day in the Big 12 featured No. 12 Kansas hosting No. 18 TCU in a thrilling four-set match. Kansas emerged victorious, winning 25-20, 25-21, 15-25, and 25-17. Ayah Elnady was instrumental in the Jayhawks’ win, leading the team with 18 kills, 15 digs, and four blocks. Caroline Bien and Toyosi Onabanjo also made key contributions, with Bien adding 14 kills and 18 digs, while Onabanjo contributed 12 kills, hitting an impressive .409, along with five blocks.
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TCU’s Jalyn Gibson played a standout role for the Horned Frogs, recording 19 kills and 18 digs. However, despite Gibson’s strong performance, it wasn’t enough to secure the win for TCU. This victory pushed Kansas further up in the Big 12 standings, showcasing their resilience and depth as they continue to contend with the top teams in the league.
In another Big 12 match, No. 17 Baylor delivered a commanding performance, sweeping Kansas State in three sets. Baylor’s attack was led by an impressive all-around team effort, with key contributions across the board. The Bears’ victory over Kansas State continued their strong campaign in the Big 12, where they are striving to finish strong as the season nears its conclusion.
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South Carolina’s Whitesides Shines with 30 Kills in SEC Showdown
Over in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), South Carolina’s Riley Whitesides stole the spotlight with an incredible 30 kills in a five-set win against LSU. Whitesides hit .364 for the match, adding 13 digs, five blocks (including one solo block), and an assist to her outstanding performance. Her 30 kills helped South Carolina secure the hard-fought victory, as the Gamecocks defeated LSU 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-12.
Campbell Paris also made a significant contribution for South Carolina, finishing with 15 kills and a .333 hitting percentage, while Victoria Harris anchored the back row with 27 digs and played a pivotal role in the Gamecocks’ defense. The win was an important one for South Carolina as they continue their push for a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Whitesides’ stellar performance is a reminder of the high level of talent that continues to emerge from the SEC. Her 30-kill effort not only highlighted her attacking prowess but also her ability to step up when her team needed her the most.
Big Ten Action: Nebraska Continues Its Dominance
The match of the day in the Big Ten featured No. 2 Nebraska, which extended its remarkable 21-match winning streak by defeating No. 16 Minnesota in front of a raucous home crowd. Nebraska’s powerful offense, led by their dynamic outside hitter and top-ranked setter, continued to roll, pushing the Cornhuskers closer to clinching the Big Ten title.
Meanwhile, No. 6 Wisconsin faced a tough challenge on the road against No. 23 USC, while No. 10 Purdue played host to Rutgers. Indiana also faced off against Iowa in a Big Ten clash that was pivotal for both teams as they seek to position themselves for postseason play.
The Impact of Transgender Participation: Mountain West Controversy
Off the court, the situation surrounding San Jose State and the Mountain West Conference has intensified, with a lawsuit filed by a dozen volleyball student-athletes and SJSU’s Assistant Coach Melissa Batie-Smoose. The lawsuit alleges violations of Title IX and First and Fourteenth Amendment rights related to the participation of a transgender player on San Jose State’s roster.
The plaintiffs claim that the Mountain West Conference, SJSU, and others involved have manipulated conference rules and suppressed student-athletes’ rights to free speech and fair competition. At the center of the issue is the Mountain West’s Transgender Participation Policy (TPP), which has sparked controversy and led to protests among student-athletes advocating for fairness in women’s sports. The plaintiffs argue that the conference’s actions have undermined the integrity of women’s sports and have been used to suppress debate on this critical issue.
As the Mountain West Volleyball Tournament approaches on November 27, the legal proceedings could have significant implications for the future of gender-based competition in collegiate sports. This ongoing controversy has added a layer of complexity to the volleyball landscape and is sure to be a topic of discussion in the coming weeks.
Other Notable Matchups and Results
In other NCAA volleyball action, a variety of important matches took place across the country. In the American Athletic Conference (AAC), NC State swept Wake Forest in a dominant performance. Courtney Bryant led the charge for NC State with 10 kills, one error on 29 attacks, and six digs.
In the West Coast Conference, Washington State delivered a commanding sweep over Gonzaga, with Katy Ryan hitting an astounding .722 with 13 kills and no errors in 18 attacks. In another West Coast match, Pacific managed to complete a reverse sweep, coming from behind to defeat Oregon State 14-25, 22-25, 25-16, 25-21, 15-12, with Alexa Edwards contributing 24 kills, two assists, nine digs, and a block.
Elsewhere, Southeastern Louisiana continued its dominance with its 22nd consecutive win, clinching the Southland Conference regular-season title. The Lions defeated East Texas A&M in straight sets, while Western Kentucky extended its winning streak to 19 by sweeping Liberty in Conference USA action.
Looking Ahead to Thursday’s Action
Looking ahead to Thursday, NCAA volleyball fans are gearing up for several exciting matchups. In the Big Ten, No. 2 Nebraska will try to extend its winning streak when it hosts No. 16 Minnesota, while No. 6 Wisconsin takes on No. 23 USC. The Big 12 schedule features No. 8 Arizona State hosting West Virginia, while No. 24 BYU travels to UCF in a battle for supremacy.
In the Southeastern Conference, No. 7 Stanford will host Virginia, and Virginia Tech will travel to California for a matchup with the Golden Bears. The AAC will see No. 7 Stanford face off against Virginia, while Arizona and Cincinnati will compete in a key matchup in the Big 12.
Final Thoughts
As the 2024 NCAA volleyball season continues to unfold, the stakes are getting higher with each passing week. With Big 12 victories for Kansas and Baylor, as well as a career-defining performance from South Carolina’s Riley Whitesides, the competition is intensifying. Meanwhile, off-the-court issues like the Mountain West transgender participation lawsuit continue to shape the landscape of women’s sports. With postseason play on the horizon, volleyball fans are in for an exciting finish to the season.
