Volleyball On SI

Kentucky, Louisville Impress on Day 1 of Jeep AVCA First Serve

The first day of the AVCA Showcase featured four top 10 teams looking to start their difficult seasons off with early wins.

Abbie Harris

Kentucky Wildcats celebrate a the 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship. Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-Imagn Images
Kentucky Wildcats celebrate a the 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship. Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The 2026 season of collegiate volleyball is officially underway as the Jeep AVCA First Serve kicked off on August 21. The event will feature 10 of the nation’s top teams competing in eight matches over four days at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis.

The season began with two rematches from 2025’s NCAA tournament as No. 7 Louisville took on No. 8 Texas A&M, followed by No. 6 Wisconsin versus No. 3 Kentucky. Below are a few quick hits from both matches and what fans can look forward to from all four teams.

No. 7 Louisville Opens Season with Win Over No. 8 Texas A&M

Louisville ended its 2025 season with a 2-3 loss to Texas A&M in the National Semifinals but began its 2026 campaign with a 3-1 win over the reigning National Champions. The Cardinals were led by senior outside hitter and match MVP Chloe Chicoine’s match-high 20 kills and 22 points.

Louisville came into this season with an astonishing 88 percent roster continuity, including Chicoine, Payton Petersen (L), Kalyssa Blackshear (Opp) and Nayelis Cabello (S). Head coach Dave Mesner added Kentucky middle blocker Brooke Bultema from the transfer portal, giving Louisville experience at every position.

Counter that with Texas A&M, which came into the game with one returning starter from its National Championship team.

However, before the match even started, it was announced that 2025’s Most Outstanding Player, Kyndal Stowers, was not dressed for warm-ups and would not be participating.

According to Kay Naegeli, a sports reporter for TexAgs, Stowers tweaked her back in practice before the match and was held out for precautionary reasons.

Losing a star player right before a match could deflate a young team. But the Aggies came out and pushed the more experienced Cardinals through every set, led by freshman libero Gabi Rodriguez, who shined on defense, sophomore Taryn Morris (OPP), a 5th-year transfer from Marquette Natalie Ring (OH), and junior transfer from Boise State Eliza Sharp (MB), all of whom scored double-digit points.

A loss is a loss, no matter how you spin it, but both teams will come away from this first match with plenty to be proud of and more to look forward to as the season progresses. Louisville fans should expect the connections between Cabello and her hitters to smooth out as the season progresses. And while the Aggies may not repeat as National Champions, they are set up for a deep NCAA tournament run and continued developmental success under coach Jamie Morrison.

No. 3 Kentucky Sweeps No. 6 Wisconsin at Jeep AVCA First Serve

Game 2 of the Jeep AVCA First Serve had many similarities to Game 1. Kentucky ended Wisconsin’s 2025 run in the NCAA tournament. Kentucky returned 75 percent of its runner-up team, while Wisconsin is full of fresh faces.

Both teams competed at a high level, exchanging powerful serves and exciting defense for most of the match.

Like the first game, ultimately experience won out, with a Kentucky sweep (25-20, 26-25, 25-18), led by senior Brooklyn DeLaye (OH)’s 12 kills, junior transfer from Notre Dame Morgan Gaerte (OH)’s 12 points, and senior Lizzie Carr (MB)’s 11 points. The Wildcats had some first-game nerves to work out as teams traded points early, but by the third set, they looked like the well-oiled machine that played for a national championship last year.

Friday night was the first time most volleyball fans were able to see the new Wisconsin squad and the Badgers did not disappoint.

Eva Travis, a senior outside hitter who transferred in from UC Santa Barbara, introduced herself with a match-high 15 points off 13 kills. Freshman outside hitter Audrey Flanagan, who has drawn comparisons to another No. 1 overall recruit, Harper Murray, showed her ability to play all six rotations with her 8 kills and 52 percent positive reception rate. Of her 25 service receptions, Flanagan only had one error.

It’s difficult to make definitive statements about teams after only one match.

However, Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner has his squad poised for another deep run. Wisconsin may still have some question marks this year, but Badgers head man Kelly Sheffield has always been able to pull his talented players together and compete with the best of the best.

All four teams will face more ranked opponents throughout the rest of the AVCA tournament and their season. These challenging opponents force teams to dig deep within themselves and their teammates to ultimately prepare them for any post-season tournament games.

On Saturday, the AVCA First Serve continues with Wisconsin taking on Louisville at 3 p.m. CT on Fox, followed by No. 2 Texas playing No. 12 Arizona State at 5 p.m. CT on FS1.

Published |Modified
Abbie Harris
ABBIE HARRIS

Abbie Harris has been talking about women's sports to anyone who would listen, and sometimes to those who wouldn't, for as long as she can remember. She has been the host of a weekly Nebraska women's sports podcast for over a year, primarily covering volleyball, women's basketball, and softball. Harris holds three degrees, including a Ph.D. from Saint Louis.

Home/College