Liberty
10/22/2026 11:11:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Sam Houston volleyball travels to Lynchburg, Virginia, this weekend for a two-match Conference USA series against Liberty on Friday and Saturday at Liberty Arena.Â
The Bearkats enter the weekend with a 14-7 overall record and a 5-3 mark in conference play after earning two wins over Delaware last weekend at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. Sam Houston sits tied for third in the CUSA standings and looks to carry that momentum into its next road test.Â
Head coach Brenda Gray earned her 800th career victory Friday against Delaware, becoming the third head coach in the country to reach the milestone. The Bearkats also received a boost from freshman Faith Roulston, who was named CUSA Freshman of the Week following the series.Â
Sam Houston continues to rely on a balanced offensive attack led by Chloe Monson, who leads the team with 300 kills and averages 3.75 kills per set. Bella Wood follows with 206 kills and 2.58 kills per set, while Chelsea Butler has recorded 169 kills and leads the team with a .315 hitting percentage. Roulston has added 116 kills, providing another offensive option for the Bearkats.Â
The Bearkats also feature a strong defensive presence, led by Shaelin White, who has recorded 356 digs and averages 4.45 digs per set. White broke 1000 career digs this last weekend against Delaware. Wood has contributed 172 digs, while Monson has added 188. At the net, Butler leads the team with 81 total blocks, followed by Rachelle Reed with 96 and Roulston with 52.Â
Brenlin Garlitz and Lauren Pyle have helped direct the Bearkat offense, combining for 789 assists. Garlitz leads the team with 423 assists, averaging 5.29 per set, while Pyle has recorded 366 assists. Both setters have also contributed 22 service aces apiece.Â
Liberty enters the series at 12-8 overall and 4-4 in CUSA after dropping both matches to FIU last weekend. The Lady Flames remain a strong offensive opponent, ranking second in the conference in hitting percentage during league play at .289. Sam Houston ranks first in conference-only opponent hitting percentage, holding opposing offenses to a .156 mark.Â
The Bearkats will look to use their defensive strength and offensive depth to gain ground in the conference standings as the regular season continues.Â
Sam Houston opens the series Friday at 5 p.m. CT, with the second match scheduled for Saturday at noon CT. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+, with live statistics available online.Â
