RedHawks Open Season at Bearkat Invitational

Friday, August 28

Huntsville, Texas

11 a.m.

Miami University

McNeese

RedHawks Open Season at Bearkat Invitational

8/26/2026 3:35:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Miami Notes

BEARKAT INVITATIONAL: The Red and White begin the 2026 season by traveling to the Bearkat invitational this week, Aug. 28-29. The RedHawks will begin the tournament against McNeese at 11 a.m. on Friday, and they will play their second match of the day in the evening versus tournament host Sam Houston at 8 p.m. Miami concludes the tournament by taking on Cal State Fullerton at 12 p.m. on Saturday.

ALL-MAC CREECH: In her freshman season as an outside hitter, Molly Creech was selected to the All-MAC Second Team and to the MAC All-Freshman Team. Creech was one of two RedHawks to receive All-MAC honors since the 2020-21 COVID season and she was also the first Miami freshman to be named to the MAC All-Freshman Team since the 2018 season. Heading into her sophomore season in 2026, Creech was named Preseason All-MAC.

ABOUT MCNEESE: McNeese is coming off a season where it posted a 8-20 mark and went 4-12 in the Southland Conference. McNeese was picked to finish ninth in the Southland Preseason Poll. The RedHawks and Cowgirls have never competed in a match.

ABOUT SAM HOUSTON: Sam Houston recorded an 11-18 record (3-13 CUSA) in 2025. The Bearkats were selected to finish 10th overall in this year's Conference USA Volleyball Preseason Poll. The all-time series is 1-0 in favor of the Red and White. The last time Sam Houston and Miami faced off, the RedHawks secured a 3-2 victory on Sept. 16, 2000.

ABOUT CAL STATE FULLERTON: Cal State Fullerton finished the 2025 season with an 8-22 record (3-15 Big West). The Titans were selected to finish 11th in the Big West Preseason Poll. The RedHawks are 1-0 when facing off with the Titans. The last win versus Cal State Fullerton came on Sept. 5, 2008 in a 3-0 victory.

TELEVISION: Miami's 8 p.m. Friday match against Sam Houston will be aired on ESPN+.

UP NEXT: The Red and White return home to host the Best Western Invitational Sept. 4-5. The RedHawks will take on Evansville, Kansas City and Purdue Fort Wayne at the invitational.

STRONG RETURNS: Of its 19-player roster, the Red and White return nine players from the 2025 roster. Seniors Raegan Lantz and Chelsea Williams anchor a solid veteran group. They are joined by juniors Sophie Crawford, Lydia Michelin and Kamryn Utley. The sophomore class includes Molly Creech, Lauren Coyne, Grace Kreutz and Lindy Radaszewski.

FRESH ON THE SCENE: 10 newcomers will be joining the Miami roster in 2026. The RedHawks welcome seven freshmen this season which includes Kendall Bosse, Madison Brown, Holland Van Deusen, Ria Furuta, Rachel Morgan, Sophie Stallworth and Reesa Zimmerman. Miami also brings on Maria Insana who is a senior (transfer from Youngstown State), Sydney Waller who is a redshirt sophomore (transfer from Samford) and Piper Willinger (transfer from Syracuse) who is a graduate student.