Mustangs Look to Continue Strong Start This Week in Texas

Thursday, August 31

Nacogdoches, TX

4 P.M.

Stephen F. Austin

Mustangs Look to Continue Strong Start This Week in Texas

8/29/2023 5:41:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly volleyball will look to build off its 2-1 start to the season this week when they head to Nacogdoches, Texas to play three matches as part of the Stephen F. Austin Tournament.

The Mustangs (2-1) will face host Stephen F. Austin Thursday, August 31 at 4 p.m. PT inside Shelton Gym. Fans can watch the match live WAC International and follow live stats. Links to both of those can be found on the schedule page.

As part of the Stephen F. Austin Tournament, the Mustangs will face Southern Mississippi on Friday at 4 p.m. PT and Nicholls State on Saturday at 9 a.m. PT. Those matches will not be streamed. However, live stats will be available to follow along.

After dropping their opening match of the 2023 season to Iowa last week 3-1 at the Sacramento State Invitational, the Mustangs bounced back the next two days with a 3-1 win over Nevada followed by a 3-0 sweep over the host Hornets to win the Sacramento State Invitational.

Redshirt sophomore outside hitter Lizzy Markovska was named Tournament MVP after averaging 3.64 kills per set, 4.27 points per set, and 2.45 digs per set. She had double digit kills in two of the three matches, including a career-high 17 in the win over Nevada.

Junior outside hitter Tommi Stockham was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 3.18 kills and 2.82 digs per set. She also led Cal Poly in aces for the weekend with five.

Junior libero Jolei Akima had a stellar weekend defensively in the back row and was also named to the All-Tournament Team. She averaged 5.00 digs per set which ranks tied for 35th in the NCAA heading into this week. She posted a career-high 25 digs during Cal Poly's win over Nevada.

Cal Poly also saw four true freshmen who played significant roles in the opening weekend in setter Samantha Callahan, outside hitter Katie Clevenger, defensive specialist Ella Scott, and outside hitter Emma Fredrick.

Scouting Stephen F. Austin

- The Lumberjacks got off to a 2-1 start last weekend at the South Alabama Tournament, beating Jackson State and Tulane, losing to South Alabama.
- Last season, they finished 26-5, winning the WAC Championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament where they lost in the first round to Baylor.
- The Lumberjacks were picked to finish first again this year in the WAC Preseason Poll.
- This will be the first meeting between Cal Poly and Stephen F. Austin.

Scouting Southern Mississippi

- The Golden Eagles are off to an 0-3 start to the season, falling to No. 23 Rice, No. 19 Houston, and No. 22 USC last week.
- They were 21-12 last season, making it to the Final Four of the NIVC Tournament, and return nine players from that team.
- This will be the first meeting between Cal Poly and Southern Mississippi

Scouting Nicholls State

- The Colonels started the season last week going 1-2, beating Portland but falling to Sam Houston and Oral Roberts.
- They were 7-30 last year, but only return two starters and seven players from last year's team.
- This will be the first meeting between Cal Poly and Nicholls State.