You should care about WSU volleyball because the program is doing something most of Pullman isn't: getting ready for a postseason that actually makes sense. The Cougs are prepping for the Rams and Bobcats, and that's a concrete, winnable path forward. Compare that to the nonsense still swirling around football, where the Pac-12 bowl math still makes no sense, but here's how Cougs fit into a system designed by people who act like 2024 never happened. Volleyball doesn't have that problem. It just has a net and a schedule.
Jen Greeny's squad has been quietly consistent in a way that deserves more attention than it gets. While Schweitzer and WSU team up to tackle wildfire research, no fluff shows the university doing real, practical work for the region, the volleyball team is doing something similar on the court: matching up against opponents who are beatable if you execute. The Rams and Bobcats aren't glamorous names, but that's the point. This is the part of the season where you stack wins, build momentum, and make sure you're the team nobody wants to draw in the first round.
Our take is simple: don't sleep on this stretch. The Cougs have the kind of balance, solid serving, smart blocking, hitters who don't panic, that translates into February volleyball. The same way Citowicki and Carolan break down the Fresno State match for Wazzu soccer by focusing on specific adjustments, this volleyball team needs to dial in on the small stuff. Serve receive. Transition kills. Don't let the Rams hang around. That's how you turn a midweek non-conference match into a statement.
One thing to watch: how does the rotation look after the first few points? If the setters are spreading the ball early, that's a good sign. If the outsides are forcing swings into double blocks, that tells you the preparation still has work to do. Either way, we'll be listening for Schroeder on the mic, and we'll know soon enough whether this team is peaking at the right time. Go Cougs.