The University of St. Francis Fighting Saints women's volleyball team opened its 2026 season by splitting two matches. The team dominated Wilberforce University, achieving a decisive 3-0 victory, but fell short against No. 17-ranked Aquinas College, losing 3-0. Against Wilberforce, the Saints showcased a strong performance with a .444 attack percentage in the final set, while the match against Aquinas highlighted a competitive first half, despite a lopsided third set finish.

By the Numbers
  • USF defeated Wilberforce 25-14, 25-15, 25-9, with a .444 attack percentage in the final set.
  • Aquinas had a .330 attack percentage, winning the match against USF with scores of 25-21, 25-21, 25-13.
Yes, But

While USF showed promise with a solid win against Wilberforce, the subsequent match against a ranked opponent reveals gaps in consistency and performance under pressure, particularly during the decisive third set against Aquinas.

State of Play
  • The Fighting Saints maintain a 1-1 record following their season opener.
  • USF displayed strong offensive moments but struggled to maintain momentum against ranked competition.
What's Next

The Saints have a 13-day break before facing Indiana University South Bend on September 1, where they will aim to improve their performance in the Chicagoland Athletic Conference opener.

Bottom Line

St. Francis demonstrated potential in their debut but must refine their gameplay against stronger opponents to achieve greater success in upcoming matches.