Army
Kats head to Arlington for Maverick Classic
9/3/2026 11:37:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
ARLINGTON - The Sam Houston volleyball team will hit the road this weekend looking to continue its strong start to the 2026 season as the Bearkats travel to Arlington for the Maverick Classic at College Park Center. Â
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The Bearkats enter the weekend with a 3-0 record after sweeping the competition at last weekend's Bearkat Invitational, the first 3-0 start for the program since 2021. Sam Houston opened the season with a 3-0 sweep of Cal State Fullerton before battling past Miami (OH), 3-2, later that evening. The Kats closed the tournament with another straight-set victory, defeating McNeese, 3-0, to claim the tournament title. Â
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 Sam Houston will open the three-match weekend in Arlington Friday against Army before returning to action Saturday with a matchup against Kent State. The Bearkats will close the tournament Saturday evening against host UT Arlington. Â
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Sam Houston will open the 3-match weekend in Arlington on Friday vs Army with first serve set for 10 a.m. The tournament continues Saturday, with Sam Houston facing Kent State at 2 p.m. before closing the weekend against host UT Arlington at 6 p.m. Â
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The 6 p.m. matchup against the Mavericks will be the only Sam Houston match streamed on ESPN+, while all three matches will be available through live stats.Â
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As expected, sophomore Chloe Monson was a key offensive weapon for the Bearkats through the opening weekend, earning MVP honors at the Bearkat Invitational. Her weekend was highlighted by 14 kills on a .429 hitting percentage in the win over McNeese and a 21-kill effort in the comeback win over the RedHawks. Â
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Monson was joined by teammates Bella Wood and Lauren Pyle on last weekend's all-tournament. Wood averaged 2.73 kills per set over the three matches while Pyle averaged 4.82 assists per set, directing the Kats to a .230 attack percentage as a team.Â
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Defensively, the Kats were outstanding at the net, out blocking all three opponents a week ago and holding the rest of the field to .094 hitting. Rachelle Reed led the way with 1.18 blocks per set, recording five blocks apiece in the wins over Miami and McNeese.Â
