WASHINGTON – Villanova volleyball continues its early-season road swings this week, traveling to the nation's capital for the American Tournament on Thursday and Friday.
The Wildcats will open play on Thursday against host American at 6 p.m. EDT, before concluding the weekend with a neutral-site matchup against the Iowa State Cyclones on Friday at 4 p.m. EDT.
EMPIRE STATE STATEMENT
Villanova enters the weekend following a 2-1 performance at the Colgate Volleyball Classic. The Wildcats kicked off the trip with a thrilling five-set, come-from-behind victory over Princeton on Friday, anchored by a 29-assist, 11-dig double-double from
Alyssa Nelson and double-digit kills from
Chloe Kelly (19),
Campbell McKinnon (13), and
Cat Young (10).
After dropping a Saturday match to nationally ranked Arizona State in straight sets, the 'Cats bounced back on Sunday with another five-set thriller over host Colgate. Five Wildcats recorded double-digit kills, led by McKinnon and Young with 15 apiece,
Taylor Lewis with 12, and
Reagan McGivern and
Abby Harrell with 11 each. Nelson dished out 39 assists alongside 15 digs for her second double-double of the weekend. Both McKinnon and Nelson earned Colgate Classic All-Tournament Team honors for their performances.
STEINBACH ON THE TEAM'S PERFORMANCE
"While we still have work to do to reach our full potential, winning those gritty, back-and-forth matches says a lot about this group," head coach
Josh Steinbach said. "I'm thrilled with the depth we showed with so many players making key contributions, and learning how to execute and win in fifth sets is a massive positive for our team moving forward."
SETTING THE STANDARD
Junior
Alyssa Nelson has been a key cog in Villanova's attack this season. Having led the team in assists in each of her first two seasons on the main line, Nelson is poised to lead the 'Cats again in the assist department this season. The junior setter has accumulated 159 assists (6.12/set) thus far on the young season. She also ranks second on the team with 52 digs (2.00/set) and eight service aces. As Nelson approaches the 1,500-career-assist milestone, her leadership, court vision, and steady decision-making remain central to Villanova's success.
DOWNING THE EAGLES
- The host Eagles begin the American Tournament with a 4-3 overall record after taking a straight-sets victory in their most recent matches against the Howard Bison.
- American was predicted to finish first in the Patriot League for the first time since 2019 this season. After going 24-5 en route to a Patriot Regular Season and League Championship last season, the Eagles return every player from their 2025 roster. Junior Deniz Dakak was named Patriot League Preseason Player & Setter of the Year, while junior Bella Marrero was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. Senior Prinzez Zeck, junior Elise Sterling, and sophomore Sophie Dufour joined Dakak and Marrero on the Preseason All-League Team.
- Villanova is 3-3 all-time against American, with the latest matchup coming in 2014 that saw the Eagles take a straight-sets victory.
WEATHERING THE CYCLONES
- Iowa State comes into the American Tournament with a 4-2 mark on the season. ISU was beaten by the in-state rival Iowa Hawkeyes last time out, losing in straight sets.
- Coming off of a 2025 campaign that saw them finish third in the Big 12 at 23-8, the Cyclones were picked to finish sixth in the conference in 2026. Junior Rachel Van Gorp was selected to the Big 12 Volleyball Preseason Team.
- This will be just the second meeting between the 'Cats and the Cyclones. The lone matchup between the two programs came in 1997, with Villanova taking a 3-1 win.
Streaming will only be available for the American match, which will air on
ESPN+. Live statistics for both matches can be found on
SIDEARM Stats.
Keep up with the Villanova University volleyball program through social media by following on X (@NovaVolleyball) and Instagram (@novavolleyball) and 'liking' on Facebook (/NovaVolleyball).
