WASHINGTON – With Patriot League play less than two weeks away, the American University volleyball team finishes its non-conference schedule with a three-match slate at home this week. The Eagles host crosstown opponent Howard on Tuesday before welcoming Villanova for the program's annual Bender Blue Out match on Thursday, and they close out the week with a Big 12 challenge against Iowa State on Saturday.
Game Information
- Tuesday, Sept. 8 vs. Howard at 6 p.m. (Meltzer Center)
- Thursday, Sept. 10 vs. Villanova at 6 p.m. (Bender Arena)
- Saturday, Sept. 12 vs. Iowa State at 1 p.m.(Meltzer Center)
- Tickets: AUEagles.com/Tickets
- Where to Watch: All three matches can be watched live on ESPN+.
- Live Stats: HERE
- Talent: Dan Laing and Ethan Jenkins
Series History
- American has a 36-6 record against the frequent foe Howard, but the Bison have had the better of AU in recent years. They swept the Eagles a season ago in Burr Gymnasium, and have won three of the last five matchups overall.
- Zenai Jethroe logged 10 kills in the match last year for Howard, and the Bison hit .330 overall.
- AU is 3-3 against Villanova, last facing off against the Big East opponent in 2014.
- Saturday will be the first-ever matchup against Iowa State.
What to Know About American: 3-3
- The Eagles played in the Best Western Invitational hosted by Bowling Green this past weekend, going 1-2 in the tournament. They picked up a win against Northern Kentucky in four sets, but fell to both Bowling Green and Arkansas State in four.
- AU was without outside hitter Sophie Dufour for all three matches, who was sidelined due to injury.
- Overall, the Eagles struggled to control the ball and attack efficiently. They made 27 reception errors to post an .894 percentage on the weekend, and they hit just .141 on the attacking end.
- In comparison, the Eagles posted a .928 reception percentage on just 18 errors in their prior three matches, and they hit .238 as a team.
- Despite the challenging stretch, the Eagles had positives to take away from the win over NKU. In one of their best defensive performances of the season so far, they recorded a season-high 58 digs and 11 blocks to hold the Norse to a .053 hitting percentage. Bella Marrero had 20 digs and Prinzez Zeck had seven blocks to lead the way.
- Zeck was dominant defensively upfront all weekend, totaling 16 blocks. Elise Sterling followed behind her with 13. Zeck's 29 total blocks lead the Patriot League.
- Salme Hollas and Sterling led the Eagles offensively in the tournament. The senior from Estonia put down 31 kills and totaled 40 points, while Sterling swung for 25 kills and compiled 39 points.
- The junior middle blocker Sterling has been American's most dangerous scoring threat so far this season, totalling 66 kills on a .299 hitting percentage.
- Head coach Jenny Glenn has used her newcomers in the early stages in the 2026 campaign, as senior transfer Olivia Miller has appeared off the bench in every match, and freshmen Sam McMillan and Sydney Guerrier have seen action as well.
- Miller has been used as a defensive specialist, posting 29 digs and a .929 reception percentage. The outside hitter McMillan earned her first start against Northern Kentucky, and she's put down 26 kills in 17 sets played so far. Guerrier is a versatile setter with the ability to play on the outside, and she's logged 10 kills with seven assists in eight sets of action.
- In the first week of the season, the Eagles defeated two power four schools in Northwestern and Virginia. Sterling headlined AU's offensive production in both matches, striking 32 kills at a .429 clip across both matches.
What to Know About Howard: 0-5
- It's been tough sledding for Howard to start the season, whose young but talented team has been swept in three straight contests.
- The Bison reached the MEAC Championship game last year, and return key starters Zenai Jethroe, Kaitlynn Robinson, and Alexys James. All three players were selected to the Preseason All-MEAC Team.
- The middle blocker Jethroe leads the team in blocks, while freshman Addison Buckner has totaled 56 kills to lead their attacking effort.
What to Know about Villanova: 4-2
- The Wildcats are coming off their first 20-win season since 2019, and they were voted to finish second in the BIG EAST preseason poll. Senior outside hitter Abby Harrell was selected as the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year, becoming the first Wildcat in program history to earn the preseason honor.
- Villanova most recently defeated fellow Patriot League member Colgate in five sets on Sunday, Sept. 6.
- Middle blocker Campbell McKinnon leads the team in kills with 75, swinging a .463 hitting percentage. Outside hitters Cat Young and Chloe Kelly follow behind her with 66 and 64 kills, respectively.
What to Know About Iowa State: 4-1
- The Cyclones are a perennial contender in the Big 12, having made the NCAA Tournament in four out of the last five seasons and advancing to the second round of the big dance in 2025.
- Off to a commanding 4-1 start, ISU is led by senior outside hitter Nayeli Ti'a, who has the sixth-most kills in the Big 12 with 72 and four per set.
- One of ISU's top weapons is junior standout libero Rachel Van Gorp, who was named to the AVCA Preseason Player of the Year Watch List after becoming the inaugural AVCA National Libero of the Year last season. She currently holds 80 digs to her name, averaging 4.44 per set.
- The Cyclones were selected to finish sixth in the Big 12 preseason poll.
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