It never was announced like the soccer schedules, so perhaps it’s still being tweaked. But it is listed on the site for 2023.

https://www.gocsucougars.com/sports/wome...l/schedule

It’s a very nice, but challenging schedule.

Hosting Northern Illinois, UC Irvine, Southeast Missouri, Jacksonville State, Milwaukee, Western Illinois, Evansville, and Hartford. I believe Hartford is not D1 this year, but probably honoring a return trip owed from Chicago going there last season.

Traveling to Northern Illinois, Oakland, also playing Eastern Michigan and Kansas City there, Evansville, Western Illinois, Tennessee, West Virginia, Florida State, New Mexico State and UTEP.

I suspect a few more games will be played at Florida State, WVU, and possibly Tennessee. Hard to tell, but I suspect.

Hosting at least 8 home matches is outstanding. 3 P5 teams is a real challenge. Still good relationships with Western Illinois and Northern Illinois, getting home and homes from each, as well as Evansville. Former conference mate New Mexico State has showed up on numerous CSU schedules last season and this season, so good to see former conference mates will still scheduling the Cougars. Same as in MBB last season.

Florida State and Tennessee were both tournament teams last season.

Looking at this year's roster, I think we will win our share of those games.

Here’s some of what’s on the roster. Things look pretty good.

“The Cougars are a veteran-dominated team led by seniors Yanlis Feliz (6'0" outside hitter), Mesalina Severino (6'1" middle blocker), Maria Fernanda Lopez Torres Tapia (5'10" outside hitter) and Whitney Barnes (5'11" outside hitter). Feliz was the 2021 Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, the first such honor for a Chicago State student-athlete and was also named an AVCA All-American (Honorable Mention), becoming the first AVCA All-American in Chicago State history”

Looks like 2 Americans and the rest Internationals. Whitney Barnes from California, mentioned above, is one of the better players. Another is from Illinois.

Good roster. We need to win all we can this season, because we have four key seniors (although these days I am never sure if they are Covid seniors or regular seniors).

It looks like from the early results that the two newcomers (Lagida and Zagumny) are going to be good ones.

How realistic are our chances of an at-large in volleyball? I realize it was only a couple of years or so ago that we did it, but at our level, if we have a strong season is it something that we can expect?

If they can be above .500 (when is very possible) then they could get another NIVC bid.

Now, I truly think they have a great squad this year. A lot of upperclassmen as well as height. Their new freshmen, Laguna and Zagummy, have been impressive. It’d take a consistent effort but their schedule definitely affords the opportunity for an at large.

Next, the Cougars host the Windy City Invitational, UC Irvine coming in, along with Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri.

UC Irvine has started out 0-3 with losses to Seton Hall 0-3, San Francisco 1-3, and New Mexico 2-3.

Jacksonville State is 1-2, with 0-3 losses to Coppin State and Auburn, and a 3-2 win over McNeese.

SEMO is 2-1, with a 3-0 win over Evansville, a 3-1 win versus Central Michigan and. 1-3 loss to SIU.

Playing at home, it’s a great opportunity to get some good wins. Irvine is a strong program and the Big West plays a high level of volleyball. UCI was 20-10 last season and 13-7 in the conference. Irvine is picked in the middle of the pack in the BW preseason poll, similar to where they finished last season.

Next games are the Oakland Tournament. OU is 3-3, Eastern Michigan is 1-5, and UMKC is 6-0.

On top of having the best record, KC has also played a little stronger competition I think. But none of them have played any powerhouse programs by a long shot.

I’d guess the Cougars come out of the weekend 2-1 or 3-0.

Chicago State cruised by previously undefeated Missouri Kansas City 3-1.

Next up is Eastern Michigan, and host Oakland on Saturday.

Both upcoming opponents are .500 or below, so there is a good chance Chicago State emerges 7-1 from the tournament.

Not sure what happened against EMU other than they fell short. All three sets were close. Very disappointing loss though as EMU only had one win coming into this match..

(09-08-2023 06:55 PM)joshadam84 Wrote:  Not sure what happened against EMU other than they fell short. All three sets were close. Very disappointing loss though as EMU only had one win coming into this match..

Even down by 2, if they’d won the third I think they could have pulled it out. 3 close games…

That really sucked. I really thought the Cougars would get out with 3 wins after the KC win.

With the 3-0 win over host Oakland University, Chicago State sealed the win of the Oakland Tournament.

The Cougars move to 6-2 on the season.

Next up they head to Knoxville to play the Tennessee Volunteers on the 14th and the Evansville Aces the day after.

I’m hoping they can shock Tennessee in their next one. Would be an amazing feat, and help make up a bit for their loss to EMU.

(09-09-2023 07:17 PM)joshadam84 Wrote:  I’m hoping they can shock Tennessee in their next one. Would be an amazing feat, and help make up a bit for their loss to EMU.

Tennessee is 6-1 versus a mediocre schedule. Wins versus Texas State, Marist, UT Martin, San Diego, Boston College and Loyola Chicago.

It’s a great opportunity, for sure.

Bad loss to Tennessee. They were the much better team. 25-13, 25-14, 24-13.

I thought Chicago State would put up a better showing and maybe take a game.

A great way to respond today and sweep Evansville, 25-20, 25-20, 25-13. Next match is on the 19th against Milwaukee.

(09-15-2023 05:27 PM)joshadam84 Wrote:  A great way to respond today and sweep Evansville, 25-20, 25-20, 25-13. Next match is on the 19th against Milwaukee.

And Evansville is on the schedule twice more. A home and home. Even 2 out 3 would be good unless they are a really just a horrible team. It’s hard to keep beating the same team.

For those keeping track, Chicago State volleyball stands at 7-3 right now.

(09-16-2023 11:26 PM)Todor Wrote:  For those keeping track, Chicago State volleyball stands at 7-3 right now.

I'll take it!