The beginning of the NCAA volleyball season is fast approaching. The chance to meet and see the latest version of the Arizona Wildcats in action is, too. This week features the release of the AVCA preseason poll, the first Bump, Set, Spike event of the season, and the Red-Blue Scrimmage. What should Arizona fans know?
AVCA preseason poll
The coaches have a fairly high opinion of the Big 12’s depth if the preseason poll is any indication. They just don’t think any of the truly elite teams play in the league.
The other three Power 4 leagues placed at least two teams in the top 10. The Big 12 put six teams in the preseason poll, but the top ranked is Arizona State at No. 12. Trailing the Sun Devils are Kansas (15), TCU (18), Baylor (21), Colorado (23), and BYU (24).
Four more league teams received votes in the poll: Iowa State (27th/104 pts), Utah (31st/41 pts), Kansas State (38th/10 pts), and Arizona (40th/8 pts).
Arizona will play 15 matches against 12 teams that either made the preseason top 25 or received votes. Nine of those matches will be played on the road. That starts on Friday, Sept. 4 against No. 13 Creighton in Omaha.
Fan engagement
The Wildcats got their preseason fan engagement events going at the beginning of the month with their second annual Aces on the Green golf tournament. The fundraiser is meant to help defray costs, including occasional charters for especially difficult conference trips.
The second opportunity to meet and interact with the team occurs on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The Wildcats will begin their Bump, Set, Spike fan events at 6 p.m. MST at the Sands Club. Head coach Rita Stubbs has been hosting the events for the last two seasons as a way for fans to get to know what’s going on with the team.
The RSVP for the first event is already closed, but there will be additional Bump, Set, Spike events later in the season.
Fans can also get to know the Wildcats and the rest of the teams in the Big 12 during the league’s virtual media day broadcasts on Tuesday, Aug. 11 and Wednesday, Aug. 12. The events will stream on ESPN+ and be available on BYUtv. A league preview will air on ESPNU on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 4:30 p.m. MST.
Red-Blue Scrimmage
Arizona volleyball didn’t play an intrasquad scrimmage or exhibitions for most of its existence. That has changed over the past few years.
The Red-Blue Scrimmage was introduced under former head coach Dave Rubio in the fall of 2021. Exhibitions were introduced in 2024 to kick off Stubbs’ second year of leading the program. This season, the program will play the Red-Blue Scrimmage and two exhibitions.
Red-Blue gets things started on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. in McKale Center. The intrasquad scrimmage will give fans a look at a roster that has changed dramatically since last season. While many of the players competed in the spring tournament held in McKale Center, Carlie Cisneros and several freshmen and transfers weren’t available.
Cisneros played beach volleyball this spring in hopes that it would help her be more explosive on the indoor courts. She and others will need to step in to fill the scoring role that Jordan Wilson had last season.
Some of the new pins who might pick up that slack include freshman Hayden Reeder and transfers Kennedy Osunsanmi, Payton Woods, and Destiny Ndam-Simpson. Returners Britt Carlson and Renee Jones will also be in the mix.
A new setter will be getting them the ball. The competition is between transfers Maria Olga Siapani and Harmony Sample.
Competition for time in the middle will be between returners Journey Tucker and Maya Flemister, freshman Marina Vosloo, and transfer Kristen Dear.
Defensive specialist and libero duties will be handled by returners Brenna Ginder, Brookelyn Hatton, and Shea Davis along with freshman Gigi Whann.
