HAMILTON, N.Y. – Villanova volleyball travels to the Empire State this weekend for the Colgate Volleyball Classic, fresh off its 2-1 finish at the Asics Classic. Hosted by the Colgate Raiders, the tournament also features the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Princeton Tigers.
 
Villanova will open the tournament on Friday when it takes on Princeton at noon EDT. Saturday's contest is slated to be one of the 'Cats' toughest matchups this season when they take on the nationally ranked #7 Sun Devils at 4 p.m. EDT. The Wildcats will conclude the trip against the host Raiders on Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT.
 
GOLDEN STATE GRIND
It was a successful opening weekend for the 'Cats this past weekend in Malibu, California. After falling to Pepperdine in four sets on Friday, VU rebounded by earning two straight wins to close out the Asics Classic. VU dropped the first set in Saturday's match against Sacramento State before rattling off three straight-set victories to claim a 3-1 win. Freshman Chloe Kelly and junior Cat Young led the way for the 'Cats, tallying 14 and 11 kills respectively. Sunday's finale versus the South Dakota State Jackrabbits saw Villanova capture a 3-2 win after a back-and-forth, five-set thriller between the two sides. After trailing two sets to one, the Wildcats stormed back in the fourth set in large part due to Campbell McKinnon's four kills in the penultimate set. The final set of the weekend was dominated by the 'Cats as they were able to jump out to a 10-4 lead and would eventually finish off the Jackrabbits 15-9. McKinnon and Young were named to the all-tournament team for their outstanding play throughout the California trip. McKinnon was also named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll.
 
THE POWER TRIO: KELLY, MCKINNON, & YOUNG LEADING THE FRONTLINE
Kelly, McKinnon, and Young have been the driving forces behind the Wildcats' early-season momentum. Kelly has proved to be essential in the young season as a freshman, posting 3.78 kills per set (34 total, .354 hitting percentage) and 4.44 points per set across 9 sets, while contributing 9 digs (1.00/set), 6 block assists, and 3 service aces. McKinnon has been an anchor at the net for the 'Cats as she is currently tied for the team lead with 38 kills (2.92/set, paces the squad with a .492 hitting percentage) and 4.15 points per set. She's also been a crucial part of the team's defense with a squad-high 21 total blocks (1.62/set). Young has delivered standout versatility, tying for the team lead with 38 total kills (2.92/set, .271 hitting percentage) and 3.62 points per set, while ranking first in the group with 8 service aces (0.62/set) and second in digs with 26 (2.00/set).
 
TAMING THE TIGERS

• Princeton's 2026 campaign begins this weekend at the Colgate Volleyball Classic as they look to build on a 2025 season that saw them go 18-7, winning the Ivy League regular season championship and the Ivy League Tournament. The Tigers were bested in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Volleyball Championship, where they would fall to Southern Cal in straight sets.
• Princeton was picked to top the Ivy League once more. Key returners include senior All-Ivy setter Sydney Draper, who led the Ivy League with 966 assists. Senior outside hitter Erin McNair, who was named second-team All-Ivy after finishing T-10th in the league with 255 kills, and senior libero Sydney Bold, who finished fifth in the Ivy League with 308 digs.
• 15th-year head coach Sabrina King's squad holds a 3-3 record against the 'Cats, with VU taking the most recent matchup in 2024 in straight sets.  

 
DOUSING THE (SUN) DEVILS

• The Arizona State Sun Devils come into the Colgate Volleyball Classic at 2-1 overall, fresh off three-straight ranked matchups to start the 2026 season, defeating second-ranked Texas at the Jeep AVCA First Serve and 14th-ranked Minnesota before falling in straight sets to #20 Southern Cal in the State Farm Volleyball Classic.
• The back-to-back Big 12 Champion Sun Devils were chosen as the preseason favorite. They are led by reigning Big 12 Player of the Year and AVCA First Team All-American senior opposite hitter Noemie Glover and Big 12 Volleyball Preseason Team selections graduate outside hitter Aniya Clinton and junior outside hitter Una Vajagic.
• Villanova has faced the Sun Devils just one time in program history, with ASU taking down the 'Cats in 2012 in straight sets.

 
RAIDING THE RAIDERS

• The host Raiders begin the Colgate Classic with a 1-2 overall record after participating in the Tennessee Tournament. Colgate dropped their first two matches at #22 Tennessee and versus Fairfield 3-0 before picking up a 3-2 win against Morehead State.
• Colgate was predicted to finish second in the Patriot League behind reigning champions American. Senior Milan Bayless and junior Tiana Owens were both named to the Preseason All-Patriot League team ahead of the 2026 campaign.
• The 'Cats maintain a winning 3-0 record all-time versus the hosts, with a straight-set victory in 2024 at the Yale Invitational being the latest matchup. 

 
Friday and Saturday's matches will be streamed via the Colgate Athletics YouTube Channel, while Sunday's match will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
Keep up with the Villanova University volleyball program through social media by following on X (@NovaVolleyball) and Instagram (@novavolleyball) and 'liking' on Facebook (/NovaVolleyball).