VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova volleyball wraps up its non-conference play this weekend, returning to the Main Line to host the Villanova Classic on Friday and Saturday at Jake Nevin Field House.
 
The Wildcats open the tournament on Friday night when they take on UMBC at 7 p.m. EDT. Saturday night's contest will see Villanova take on a familiar foe in the Princeton Tigers, also at 7 p.m. EDT.
 
MAIN LINE MOMENTUM
Following back-to-back losses to formidable Power Four opponents in Iowa State and Penn State, the 'Cats will look to use home-court advantage this weekend to try and recapture some of their early-season momentum. It will be the first set of home matches for VU in just over 10 months after spending the first three and a half weeks on the road.
 
LEASHING THE RETRIEVERS

• The defending America East Conference Champion Retrievers were picked to finish atop the league in 2026. UMBC has dominated the America East Conference, winning the conference championship in five of the last six seasons.
• Preseason All-Conference selections Jalynn Brown (OH) and Hannah Howard (DS/L) headline the talented Retrievers squad. Brown has totaled 46 kills to go along with a .142 hitting percentage across 21 sets this season. UMBC's other statistical leaders include RS/OH Hannah Dobbs (102 kills, 13 aces), setter Isabel Ostvig (258 assists), Howard (130 digs), and MB Alissa Grant (38 blocks).
• Fifth-year head coach Kasey Crider has posted a 59-48 overall record throughout his head coaching career. His group holds a 1-5 all-time record against Villanova, with UMBC taking the latest matchup in four sets in Los Angeles back in August 2022.

 
TIGER TANGO (ROUND TWO) 

• Princeton was selected to top the Ivy League for the first time since 2019. Since beginning their 2026 campaign at the Colgate Classic, where they first met Villanova this season, the Tigers have accumulated a 2-4 record this season. Before making the trip to the Keystone State, they will first play host to one of the Wildcats' fellow Philadelphia-area foes when they take on the Temple Owls.
• The Tigers' leaders include OH Ashtyn Sims (60 kills), setter Sydney Draper (201 assists), MB Ava Harrington (3 aces), libero Sydney Bold (67 digs), and MB Jackie Onyechi (24 blocks).
• 15th-year head coach Sabrina King's squad holds a 6-7 record all-time against the 'Cats, with VU taking the most recent matchup just two weekends ago in a five-set thriller.

Streaming for both matches will be available on ESPN+. Both contests will also feature live statistics courtesy of StatBroadcast.

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