VERMILLION, S.D. – Three opponents that Villanova has never met before on the volleyball court await this week as the 'Cats head to the South Dakota Classic from Sept. 18-20 to finish out the non-conference schedule.

The Wildcats will take on South Dakota on Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern to kick off the action then meet Drake late on Friday afternoon before wrapping up the trip early on Saturday versus Wichita State.

ON A ROLL    
It's the best start to a Villanova volleyball season since 2005 as the Wildcats have started out this season with eight straight Ws to follow up that year's 10-0 as the greatest opening slate in program history. To this point in the year, it's been more match wins (eight) than total sets lost (seven) as the 'Cats have started out with three sweeps, a trio of four-set victories and a pair of five-set dubs to become the only undefeated team left in the conference and one of 12 unbeatens remaining in the nation. 

'CATS IN THE NATIONAL STATS    
The scorching start for the Wildcats has featured a prolific attack that's contributed some of the top numbers in the country. As a team, Villanova ranks second nationally in kills per set (15.00) and assists per frame (13.94), while also placing third for team hitting percentage (.330). Individually, Campbell McKinnon has the second best hitting percentage in the country at .532 while Abby Harrell ranks top 60 nationally for both points (143) and service aces (16).

OPTIONS GALORE    
Part of the reason for Villanova's offensive success early on in 2025 has been the varied attack which has gotten production out of all six major contributors, meaning opponents can't funnel the defense to just one of them. Harrell (team-best 123 kills) and McKinnon have been the headliners, but the four beyond them have made their presence felt. Cat Young has six double-digit kill performances and has taken more than 200 swings. Taylor Lewis has contributed seven or more kills in each match, including 10 at Old Dominion. Newcomers Ava Mehrten and Reagan McGivern have pitched in as well with the fifth-year transfer Mehrten adding 37 kills including her VU-best eight at Old Dominion while freshman middle blocker McGivern is hitting over .400 with single digit errors and three efforts of eight kills.

THE SCOOP ON SOUTH DAKOTA

• The host Coyotes have racked up a 6-3 start to 2025 with the only losses coming to Connecticut, No. 17 Kansas and RV Oregon. 
• A program that has never faced Villanova, South Dakota's won the Summit League five times in the last seven years and fell in the NCAA Tournament last year at Creighton.
• USD is led by conference kills leader Lauren Medeck (137) while Avery Van Hook (351 assists, eighth nationally for total assists) and Kamryn Farris (170 digs, 15 service aces) lead the squad in other categories.

DISHING ON DRAKE

• The Bulldogs are 3-5 to open the season, taking down RV Western Kentucky, North Texas and FIU but dropping three five-set matches and a pair of sweeps.
• Drake went 16-2 in MVC play in 2024 but fell in the semifinals of the conference tournament after an upset loss to UIC.
• Macy Daufeldt is Drake's leader in kills (116) and digs (83), while Bliss Beck adds 36 blocks and a pair of setters (Addison Beagle and Kathryn Quick) both sit at over 125 assists.

SHARING ABOUT THE SHOCKERS

• Wichita State has begun the season at 6-3 after splitting the first two weekends, sweeping the Golden Eagle Invitational and being swept by No. 17 Kansas on Tuesday night.
• VU's final opponent this week, WSU swept all three matches at last year's AAC tournament despite entering as the four seed.
• The Shockers are paced by hitters Sydney Dunning (127 kills) and Brooklyn Leggett (93), while Memphis transfer Jordan Heatherly (302 assists, 11 aces) directs the offense.

Each matchup will feature stats courtesy of StatBroadcast and streaming available on Midco Sports Plus (individual match streaming links available on VU schedule page).