RICHMOND, Ky. - The Mountaineers will close out nonconference play and travel to Eastern Kentucky this weekend to play in the Geri Polvino Invitational. Opponents are Tennessee Tech, Presbyterian and Eastern Kentucky. App State volleyball (5-6, 0-0 SBC) looks forward to opening conference play at Old Dominion and adding two to the win column.
LAST TIME OUT
App State volleyball fell in three sets in their midweek road match at NC State on Tuesday.
MeMe Davis served as the main highlight of the match with 17 receptions on a 1.000 mark and 11 digs for an average of 3.67 digs per set.
The Wolfpack (8-1, 0-0 ACC) controlled the first set from an early lead at 1-5; a service error resulted in a Mountaineer (5-6, 0-0 SBC) side out. App State and NC State went back and forth for a few points before the Mountaineers went on a four-point scoring run, fueled by a Bella Hutchens kill and service ace. The Wolfpack went on a six-point scoring run at 9-11 that the Mountaineers weren't able to come back from, ultimately dropping the first set 14-25.
The Mountaineers had a pair of 3-0 scoring runs in the third set but, despite their best efforts, were not able to recover from NC State's early lead.
SCOUTING THE TOURNAMENT FIELD
App State vs. Tennessee Tech | Friday | 10:00 AM
The Golden Eagles (3-5, 0-0 SoCon) went 14-17 last season and were picked to finish seventh in their first season in the Southern Conference. Tennessee Tech averaged 12.6 kills, 11.7 assists and 14.3 digs per set in 2025, with Alayna Pierce leading the team with 264 kills.
Tennessee Tech enters the Geri Polvino Invitational with a 3-2 record after opening the season with losses to North Dakota State and Tulane before earning three straight wins. The Golden Eagles most recently swept Tennessee State, hitting .305 as a team while recording 46 kills and eight service aces.
Pierce has continued to lead the Golden Eagles offensively, recording 84 kills through the opening portion of the season. Freshman setter Morgan Petelin has directed the Tennessee Tech offense with 164 assists, while Jordyn Milhouse leads the team with 13 blocks.
App State vs. Presbyterian | Friday | 4:00 PM
Presbyterian (6-5, 0-0 Big South) enters the weekend with a 6-4 record after splitting its last four matches. The Blue Hose have recorded wins over Buffalo, N.C. A&T and Queens, while falling to Chattanooga and Charleston.
The Blue Hose are led offensively by Emma McHatten, who has recorded 102 kills through 10 matches, while Courtney Williams has added 100 kills and is hitting .320. Setter Anisa Dorlouis has totaled 305 assists and is averaging 8.03 assists per set.
Presbyterian has also produced 57 service aces and 89.5 total blocks this season. Celimar Hoyos leads the team with 11 aces and 193 digs, while Meredith Reisman has posted a team-high 39 blocks.
App State vs. Eastern Kentucky | Saturday | 2:00 PM
The Mountaineers will close the Geri Polvino Invitational against host Eastern Kentucky (7-2, 0-0 UAC) Sunday at 2 p.m.
EKU went 22-9 overall and 12-4 in the Atlantic Sun Conference last fall, advancing to the ASUN Tournament championship match. The Colonels return three starters and their libero from last season's squad and enter 2026 as the preseason favorite to win the United Athletic Conference.
Setter Emilee Hill was selected as the UAC Preseason Player and Setter of the Year, while libero Cassidy Trahan was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Outside hitter Addison Burke also earned a spot on the preseason All-UAC Team.
The Colonels enter the weekend with a 7-2 record after wins over South Florida, Utah State, Radford, Prairie View A&M, James Madison, Western Kentucky and Marshall. EKU is hitting .227 as a team, with Addison Burke leading the team with 106 kills and averaging 2.79 kills per set.
ON THE HORIZON
App State prepares to open conference play at Old Dominion on Sept. 24. The Mountaineers will face the Monarchs in a two-match series in Norfolk, Va., marking the beginning of Sun Belt Conference play for both teams.
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