University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
South Dakota
Volleyball Ready to Host Top Dogs Challenge
9/3/2025 6:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
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UConn Links: 2025 Schedule 2025 Roster
South Dakota Links: 2025 Schedule 2025 Roster
Ball State Links: 2025 Schedule     2025 Roster
Colgate Links: 2025 Schedule   2025 Roster
STORRS, Conn.- UConn volleyball returns home this week to host the Top Dogs Tournament at the UConn Volleyball Center. The Huskies will welcome in South Dakota, Ball State, and Colgate, opening with a matchup against the Coyotes on Thursday evening.
The Huskies started 2025 on the right foot last weekend, winning all three matches at the Bearcat Classic Tournament hosted by Binghamton University. UConn swept Lehigh on Friday afternoon before fighting off the host Bearcats in a five-set battle on Saturday and sweeping Fordham in their second match of the day.
Audrey Rome (Sandwich, Ill.) was named Tournament MVP after finishing the weekend with 31 kills (2.82/set), highlighted by a career-high 13 terminations against Binghamton. Rome also anchored UConn defensively with 10 blocks in the three matches. Grace Maria (Arlington, Va.) and Doga Kutlu (Ankara, Turkey) joined Rome on the all-tournament team. Maria registered 29 kills (2.64/set), tying her career-high of 12 against Binghamton. The junior outside hitter also chipped in with 20 digs and 8 service aces. Kutlu conducted UConn's attack with 103 assists (9.36/set) and added 27 digs on the defensive end. Rome and Kutlu were named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll earlier this week. Emma Werkmeister (Victor, N.Y.) led the Huskies with 39 kills (3.55/set), punctuated by an early season-high 21 kills in the win over Binghamton.
Scouting the Opposition
The Huskies will take on South Dakota on Thursday night, the first ever meeting between the two schools. The Coyotes will ship out to Storrs with a 2-1 record on the season, bouncing back from a season opening defeat at RV Oregon with wins over Montana State and Prairie View. Lauren Medeck led the South Dakota offense with 41 kills (3.42/set) including two double doubles. The Coyotes were picked 2nd in the Summit League preseason poll, with defensive specialist Kamryn Farris and setter Avery Van Hook named as players to watch.
UConn will face Ball State on Friday afternoon, the second meeting between the two (Ball State won in four sets in 2003). The Cardinals opened 2025 with a five-set win over St. Thomas before falling to No.11 Minnesota in straight sets and dropping a five-set match against Cal Poly. The dynamic outside hitter duo of Noelle VanOort and Carson Tyler led the way with 50 kills apiece on the weekend. The Cardinals were picked to finish 2nd in the MAC preseason poll. Tyler and libero, Sophie Ledbetter, were selected to the Preseason All-MAC Team.
Colgate comes to Storrs for the final match of the tournament on Saturday afternoon. The Raiders enter the tournament with a 2-1 record on the season, dropping their opener to Colorado State before bouncing back with wins over Northern Colorado and Washington. Colgate has won four consecutive Patriot League titles and was predicted to win its fifth in a row in the 2025 preseason poll.The Raiders are led by reigning Patriot League Player of the Year Milan Bayless. Bayless poured in a team-high 36 kills across the three matches of the weekend. UConn and Colgate matched up last season in Hamilton, with UConn staging an improbable reverse sweep comeback win to stun the Raiders in five sets. The Huskies lead the all-time season series 11-3.
Watch and Follow: All matches will be streamed on UConn+ throughout the weekend. Follow UConn volleyball on Instagram and X @UConnVBall, and with the key words "UConn Volleyball" on Facebook.
Tournament Schedule:
South Dakota @ UConn- Thursday, 9/4 (6:00pm)
Ball State vs Colgate- Friday, 9/5 (10:30am)
Ball State @ UConn- Friday, 9/5 (4:30pm)
Colgate @ South Dakota- Friday, 9/5 (7:00pm)
Ball State vs South Dakota- Saturday, 9/6 (11:30am)
Colgate @ UConn- Saturday, 9/6 (3:00pm)
