Wright State Volleyball Opens Horizon League Play Against Northern Illinois
- Wright State opens its Horizon League volleyball schedule on September 18 and September 19, hosting Northern Illinois at McLin Gymnasium in Dayton.
- Wright State was selected first in the Horizon League preseason poll, collecting 117 points.
- Northern Illinois enters conference play with a 6-4 overall record and rides a four-match winning streak.
Wright State opens its Horizon League volleyball schedule on September 18 and September 19, hosting Northern Illinois at McLin Gymnasium in Dayton. Friday’s match starts at 6 p.m., while Saturday’s contest begins at 2 p.m. The Raiders enter conference play after finishing the 2025 season with a 21-11 overall record. That campaign culminated in the program’s fifth NCAA tournament appearance in the last seven seasons, following Horizon League tournament titles in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2025. Wright State also secured an at-large selection in 2019 and captured five regular-season conference titles over that span.
Returning All-League Talent and Preseason Expectations
Wright State was selected first in the Horizon League preseason poll, collecting 117 points. The program has topped the preseason poll in six of the last seven seasons, dating back to the spring 2021 campaign. The reigning conference champions bring back four All-League award winners from last season. First-team selections Lauren Yacobucci and Reilly Zegunis lead the returnees, marking consecutive first-team honors for both players. They are joined by second-team selections Mya Ayro and Katie Sowko, with Sowko adding the recognition to her previous all-freshman nod.
Scouting Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois enters conference play with a 6-4 overall record and rides a four-match winning streak. During that stretch, the Huskies earned victories over Chicago State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, SIUE, and UIC. Friday’s match marks the 16th all-time meeting between the two programs. Northern Illinois holds a 14-1 advantage in the historical head-to-head series against Wright State.
Roster Construction and Future Schedule
Additions for the 2026 campaign feature four newcomers, including three freshmen, rounding out a 16-player roster that includes five sophomores, three juniors, four seniors, and one graduate student. Following the opening weekend series against Northern Illinois, the Raiders hit the road to continue conference play. Wright State travels to face Oakland on October 2 and Cleveland State on October 3.