DALLAS - CUSA Volleyball moves into the second week of the 2026 season after a competitive opening weekend of non-conference action. Kennesaw State and Sam Houston lead the way as the conference’s only unbeaten teams, with FIU, Liberty, MTSU and (RV) WKU each posting 2-1 records. 

GIVE IT TO JILL AGAIN 
Junior outside hitter Jillian Huckabey led FIU in kills during the Panthers 2-1 weekend, hitting an even .300 at the Florida Atlantic Invitational. Huckabey averaged 3.35 kills per set and 2.0 digs per set on the week. In the Panthers season opener on Friday against Stetson, she tallied a double-double with 16 kills and 12 digs.  

FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS 
Kennesaw State completed a perfect opening weekend, securing wins over The Citadel, UNCW and Le Moyne at the Seahawk Classic, giving KSU its first 3-0 start to a season since 2018. Haley Patterson was named MVP of the tournament after leading the Owls with 38 kills and a .325 hitting percentage. Her 38 kills were 16 more than any other Owl and accounted for more than 30 percent of KSU’s 126 kills during the weekend. She also posted a career-high 22 kills while hitting .405 in KSU’s 3-1 comeback victory against UNCW.

LANEY THE LEADING LADY 
Liberty’s Laney Daniell earned Offensive Player of the Week honors after posting 34 kills on a .410 hitting clip, averaging 2.83 kills per set in the Flames’ 2-1 weekend at the Buccaneer Classic. In all three matches, she set a new career-high in kills. The sophomore middle blocker tallied nine kills against SEC foe Auburn, 12 versus Akron and 13 in a 3-2 win over ETSU. 

DLOUHÁ THE RULA
Michaela Dlouhá’s defensive prowess at the net earned her the first Defensive Player of the Week award of the season. She had an impressive opening weekend for the Blue Raiders finishing with 31 kills, a .456 mark, 19 blocks and 12 digs. The senior middle blocker nearly had a triple-double in MTSU’s five-set victory over Boise State on Friday, posting 16 kills, seven blocks and seven digs. 

OFF TO A GREAT START 
Sam Houston remains undefeated after a 3-0 start to the 2026 campaign. The Bearkats secured wins over Cal State Fullerton, Miami (OH) and McNeese to give the Kats their first 3-0 start to a season since 2021. Chloe Monson earned MVP of the Bearkats Invitational after finishing the weekend with 47 kills, 22 digs and four blocks. Her 4.27 kills per set average leads CUSA. She posted double-digit kills in each of the three matches, including a match-high 21 kills along with 12 digs in the Bearkats 3-2 win against Miami (OH). 

GO TOPS 
After coming off a 2-1 weekend at the SEMO Tournament, WKU continues to receive votes in the AVCA-Taraflex Coaches Poll with six. The Hilltoppers will face off against (RV) Dayton on Saturday, Sept. 5 at the Tru by Hilton Beavercreek Invitational hosted by Wright State. WKU leads CUSA in hitting percentage with .345, while sophomore setter, Kate Rush earned Setter of the Week honors after logging 81 assists, 16 kills, 18 digs, eight service aces and a .455 hitting clip on the weekend.