University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Coppin State
Huskies Set to Host “For the White & Blue” Tournament
9/15/2026 2:46:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
STORRS, Conn. - UConn continues its home stretch this weekend, hosting the "For the White & Blue" Tournament at the UConn Volleyball Center. The Huskies welcome Coppin State, Merrimack and Rhode Island to Storrs, opening the weekend against the Eagles on Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. UConn will then face the Warriors on Saturday, Sept. 19 at noon before closing out the tournament against the Rams on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.
UConn went 2-1 at the East Coast Challenge, sweeping New Hampshire and FDU before falling to Yale, 3-1. Sophomore middle blocker Jordyn Hughes recorded 21 kills and 15 total blocks on the weekend, while freshman outside hitter Sydney Borowy led the Huskies with 33 kills. Both Hughes and Borowy were named to the East Coast Challenge All-Tournament Team.
Isabella Sohl was also named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week after totaling six kills, 84 assists, two service aces, 24 digs and four block assists across three matches at the East Coast Challenge.
This will be the first meeting between UConn and Coppin State. The Eagles went a perfect 3-0 at the Zips Invitational, co-hosted by Akron and Cleveland State, last weekend. Coppin State was picked to win the MEAC in the preseason poll after capturing two conference titles over the last three seasons.
The lone meeting between UConn and Merrimack came in 2023, with the Huskies earning a 3-1 victory at home. Despite an 0-9 record, the Warriors feature a trio of hitters averaging more than two kills per set in Jocelyn Hammerstrand, Mckenna Shotwell and Tamilore Afolalu. The offense is orchestrated by setter Sophia Debonis, who is averaging 5.19 assists per set.
The all-time series between UConn and Rhode Island is tied at 2-2, with the Huskies earning wins in 2013 and most recently in 2023 in New Haven, while the Rams won the meetings in 2009 and 2015. Rhode Island enters the weekend with a 4-5 record after defeating Quinnipiac, following five-set losses to Lafayette and Penn. The Rams also pose a formidable presence at the net, led by Johnson with 37 blocks, Chloe Abuto with 36 and Sawyer with 34.
