DAYTON — The Wright State volleyball team heads to the heart of the Midwest this weekend for a pair of matches in the Ameritas Players Challenge. The Raiders tangle with No. 1-ranked Nebraska on Friday night before facing California on Saturday afternoon. The match against Nebraska can be seen on BIG+.

MATCH INFORMATION
Friday, September 5 - at Nebraska - 8 p.m. ET - Watch - Live Stats
Saturday, September 6 - vs. California - 12 p.m. ET - Live Stats

LAST TIME OUT
Wright State opened 2025 with a 2-1 weekend at the WKU Invitational, dropping the first match to (RV) Western Kentucky before a reverse sweep over Drake and a five-set win over Loyola Chicago. Katie Sowko and Mya Ayro were named to the WKU Invitational All-Tournament Team. Sowko turned in 43 kills (3.58 kills/set), including a career best 22 kills against Loyola, as part of a pair of double-doubles, while Ayro finished with 50 kills (3.85 kills/set), including a career best 25 against Drake.

UN-FAMILIAR OPPONENTS
Wright State faces as pair of first time foes this weekend, having never previously squared off with Nebraska or California on the volleyball court. 

TESTS AGAINST THE BEST
The Raider non-conference schedule features three teams ranked in the latest AVCA Poll - No. 1 Nebraska, No. 9 Pitt, No. 25 Dayton - and a fourth that's receiving votes (Western Kentucky). 

MOVING ON UP
Wright State's upcoming Tru by Hilton Beavercreek Invitational will be played in the Nutter Center, marking the first time collegiate volleyball has been played in the Nutter Center since Wright State hosted the 1991 National Invitational Volleyball Championship. The Raiders are set to face No. 9 Pitt on Friday, Sept. 12 before a matchup with Ohio State on Saturday, Sept. 13 and a meeting against Ohio on Sunday, Sept. 14. Tickets for the Tru by Hilton Beavercreek Invitational are on sale now. 

KNOW THE FOES
- Nebraska has opened the season 4-0, including a trio of wins against teams inside the Top 10 - then No. 3 Pitt, then No. 6 Stanford and then No. 7 Kentucky - while dropping just one set to the group. Nebraska finished 33-3 overall with a 19-1 Big Ten record a season ago, falling in the national semifinal in five sets to Penn State. Nebraska was 22-1 in home matches a year ago
- Cal started 2025 with a pair of home wins last weekend in the California Tournament, dowing San Diego State in four sets and sweeping San Francisco. Cal recorded a 15-17 overall record with a 7-13 mark in the ACC in 2024, tallying a 4-1 record in true neutral site matches.

STARTING STRONG
Wright State opened the 2025 season with a 2-1 record at the WKU Invitational, continuing a recent trend of getting the year started on the right foot. Since 2019, the Raiders have won  12 of 17 matches in opening weekend action (not counting the COVID-altered Spring 2021 season where they began 6-0). Wright State started also 2-1 in 2019, dropping the opener before winning two straight to kick off what turned into a 16-match winning streak.