Women's Volleyball 9/17/2026 2:02:00 PM

Buccaneers To Complete Nonconference Slate in Bowling Green

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - East Tennessee State University's volleyball team heads out on its final road trip of the nonconference season at the WKU Invitational, Friday and Saturday, at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky.

East Tennessee State (2-7) enters the weekend after a 3-2 victory over South Carolina. The Buccaneers defeated South Carolina, 3-2, at Brooks Gym. This marked the Bucs' first win over an SEC opponent since their 3-2 win over Tennessee on Sept. 4, 2018.

Three Buccaneers had double-doubles in the win: Alex Kreutzmann 31 assists/10 digs, Makayla Bays 11 kills/15 digs, and Karis Chatfield 12 kills/10 digs. The team had a season-high 68 kills and 63 assists.

The Bucs are set to face Oklahoma at 4 p.m. (ET) on Friday. This marks the first meeting of the two teams. The Sooners are 5-2 on the season.

At 1 p.m. (ET) Saturday, the Bucs will face tournament host Western Kentucky. The Bucs are 2-7 all-time against the Hilltoppers, as WKU has won the previous five meetings.

For news and updates ahead of the Buccaneers' 2026 season, follow the volleyball team on X and Instagram (@etsuvolleyball) or check back in on etsubucs.com.

Match Points

Lindsey Devine enters her 19th season at the helm of ETSU volleyball; her third consecutive season.
Devine earned her fourth regular-season title last season; the eighth in program history.
The 2026 squad consists of 11 returners, five freshmen, and one transfer.
The reigning SoCon Player of the Year, Makayla Bays, was selected as a Preseason All-Conference selection after her standout sophomore campaign.
At the end of the 2025 season, Makayla Bays ranked first in the SoCon with 45 service aces and second with .40 aces per set, 3.92 kills per set, 506.5 points, 4.48 points per set, and 443 total kills.
Devine's 2026 coaching staff consists of Aaron Giorgi, who is in his third season with the program, and former ETSU Buc Isabella Iosua, who joins the staff this season.
At the end of the 2025 season, the Bucs were ranked first in the conference in nine categories: aces per set (1.66), assists per set (12.39), hitting percentage (.238), kills per set (13.23), match W-L percentage (.767), opponent hitting percentage (.177), team assists (1,400), team kills (1,495), and team service aces (188).
Makayla Bays leads the team with 118 kills and 17 service aces. Her 86 digs are second on the team. Alex Kreutzmann's 193 assists rank first on the squad. Her eight service aces and 77 digs rank third. Melanie Morris is first on the team with 122 digs, while Gianna Blair's 42.0 blocks pace the squad.

Scouting report

Oklahoma is 5-2 on the season with its only losses being to Washington and Georgia Tech.
The Sooners rank third in the SEC with 13.20 assists per set. Their 14.36 kills per set rank fourth.
Avaya Maga is third in the conference with 11.44, which also ranks sixth in the nation.
Elise Hani is fifth in the SEC with her .449 hitting percentage, ranking 18th in the nation.
Western Kentucky is 5-5 on the season and most recently took a 3-0 loss to Louisville, Sept. 16.
The Hilltoppers are first in Conference USA with 2.22 aces per set, a .254 hitting percentage, and 82 team service aces.
Kate Rush is first in the conference with .70 aces per set, ranking 14th nationally, 26 aces, ranking sixth nationally, and 347 total assists.
She is second with 9.38 assists per set.
Faith Young leads the team with a .421 hitting percentage.
Taylor Baron is first in the CUSA with 163 total digs and fourth with 4.41 digs per set.
Kaira Knox is third with .46 aces per set, second with 17 aces, and fifth with 128.5 points.