WVU Volleyball (3-1) is fresh off a pair of wins at the Sunshine State Classic. Now, the Mountaineers return home to face VCU, Lehigh, and Toledo at Hope Coliseum Thursday-Friday. Read more: Mountaineer Volleyball to host trio of squads in West Virginia Invitational.
Two of the three visiting teams tout early winning records, including one sitting undefeated. The Mountaineers have only faced one of the three in the past, according to WVU Athletics.
This is the second of two tournaments hosted at Hope Coliseum this season, solidifying the first time there has been multiple on the same schedule in program history.
Where the Mountaineers stand
Similar to the previous season, WVU is off to a solid start in non-conference play.
Much of the early success can be attributed to the duo of Nina Horning and Alexis Finnvold. Horning (points, kills) and Finnvold (assists) have led those respective categories in each of the Mountaineers’ first four matches.
Freshman Reagan Turk has also come alive, leading the team in digs in the past two games.
The defense is also making waves as a unit. The Mountaineers lead the Big 12 and sit in the top five across the NCAA in blocks.
Take away the unforced errors, and this team is trending in the right direction so far.
Returning home means there are three new chances for fans to check out matches at Hope Coliseum, something head coach Jen Greeny said she is hoping for when she joined WV Sports Nation on the John Fredericks Media Network before the season.
“Come to a volleyball match, especially if you haven’t been to one,” Greeny said. “I guarantee that you will enjoy yourself.”
It may be tough to create an intimidating environment for a growing program in a massive, 14,000-seat arena, but the hope is there.
Related: WVU Volleyball Head Coach Jen Greeny exclusive: Building culture, attendance growth
So far, the first two home games combined to draw just over 1,300 fans.
The opponents
VCU
The tournament kicks off Thursday when Virginia Commonwealth University (1-3) brings its squad to Morgantown. The Rams are coming off a 1-1 showing at its own invitational, beating East Tennessee State before dropping to Virginia.
Nina Boledovicova is the top player to watch for in this tournament opener, leading the way with 35 kills and 46 total points.
The match is set for 5 p.m. Thursday on Club Connections Night.
Lehigh
The first matchup for WVU’s Friday doubleheader features an undefeated Lehigh (6-0) squad.
The Mountain Hawks swept both the Steel Classic and DSU Invitational to get to that point.
Lehigh did not just win, either — they dominated. The Mountain Hawks have won 18 of 20 sets this season, showing their superiority against each of their opponents.
This is the matinee match of the invitational, with action starting at 11 a.m. Friday. The featured promotion is Volleyball 101, where fans can learn the game.
Toledo
The Friday nightcap features Toledo (4-1) from the MAC. UT also swept through its first four games of the Rocket Invitational, winning all 15 sets. The reigning MAC Tournament champs could not come out of the tournament completely clean, though, falling to Notre Dame in four sets in the finale.
This is the Rockets’ first trip away from Savage Arena this season.
The featured promotion in Friday’s 7 p.m. showdown is Dollar Discount Night. WVU is 2-0 in the all-time series against Toledo.
Full West Virginia Invitational schedule
Thursday
Toledo vs. Lehigh – 2 p.m.
WVU vs. VCU – 5 p.m.
Friday
WVU vs. Lehigh – 11 a.m.
Toledo vs. VCU – 1:30 p.m.
WVU vs. Toledo – 7 p.m.
Tune in
Every match in this year’s West Virginia Invitational is set to stream on ESPN+.
The Mountaineers have three new chances to impress the home crowd in hopes of furthering the growth of the program in the midst of a budding golden era for WVU Athletics.
Related: JaCorey Thomas gives WVU Football another veteran option in the secondary
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