Troy University Athletics
Thursday, September 17
Troy, Ala.
6 p.m.
Troy University
vs
Murray State
Photo by: Davis Photography
Volleyball Wraps up Non-Conference Slate With Trojan Invitational
9/16/2026 11:58:00 AM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. — Troy volleyball returns home to conclude their non-conference schedule with the Trojan Invitational. The Trojans will take on Murray State on Thursday, Sept. 17, followed by The Citadel on Friday, Sept. 18, and Northwestern State on Saturday, Sept. 19 to conclude the weekend.
Following a tough weekend in Gainesville, Fla. for the Florida Invite, the Trojans look to get back in the win column. This past weekend, Troy dropped a competitive four-set match to FAU, then fell in three sets to No. 10 Florida.
The Trojan Invitational kicks off Thursday evening when the Trojans take on Murray State beginning at 6 p.m. An action-packed Friday features three matches, beginning with The Citadel vs. Murray State at 10:30 a.m., followed by Northwestern State vs. Murray State at 3:30 p.m., and Troy vs. The Citadel at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, The Citadel vs. Northwestern State commences at 10:30 a.m. and Troy vs. Northwestern State rounds out the weekend at 3:30 p.m.
Game Information
Matchups: Murray State (1-8) | The Citadel (3-6) | Northwestern State (6-6)
When: Thursday, 6 p.m. | Friday, 6:30 p.m. | Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Troy, Ala. — Trojan Arena
Watch: ESPN+ (all Troy matches)
Stats: TroyTrojans.com/livestats
Scouting Murray State
5th meeting: Murray State leads all-time series 3-1.
The Trojans and Racers last faced off on Sept. 15, 2017, where Troy swept Murray State. Murray State had won the previous three contests with the first matchup between the programs occurring in 1998. Second-year Anne Makowski leads the Racers with 111 kills on .200 hitting.
Scouting The Citadel
3rd meeting: Troy leads all-time series 2-0.
Troy won the last matchup between the two programs back on Sept. 12, 2024, in three sets. The Trojans won the first matchup between the two in three sets back on Sept. 20, 2019. As a team, the Bulldogs are hitting .153 on 358 kills through their first nine matches. Third-year setter Greta Pleuss leads the team with 200 assists.
Scouting Northwestern State
7th meeting: All-time series is tied 3-3.
Saturday's matchup between the Trojans and Demons marks the seventh meeting between the two programs. The series is tied at three wins apiece, with Northwestern State winning the most recent clash back on Sept. 1, 2017, in three sets. Northwestern State enters the weekend having won five consecutive matches. The Demons are hitting .175 with 516 kills as a team. Fourth-year setter Jade Longlad has a team-high 345 assists.
Immediate Impact
The Trojans welcomed three first-year players to the 2026 roster including outside hitter Isa Ruether, and defensive specialists Haley Nash and Kenzly Foote. Ruether has been an offensive spark for the Cardinal and White, as the Franklin, Wis., native has tallied double-digit kills in three consecutive matches. Nash has been an anchor for the Trojans on defense, as the College Station, Texas, native leads the team with 57 digs. Foote has been effective in the serving game, as the Alabaster, Ala., native has tallied eight service aces on the season, and at least one in four consecutive matches.
Notables
Following a tough weekend in Gainesville, Fla. for the Florida Invite, the Trojans look to get back in the win column. This past weekend, Troy dropped a competitive four-set match to FAU, then fell in three sets to No. 10 Florida.
The Trojan Invitational kicks off Thursday evening when the Trojans take on Murray State beginning at 6 p.m. An action-packed Friday features three matches, beginning with The Citadel vs. Murray State at 10:30 a.m., followed by Northwestern State vs. Murray State at 3:30 p.m., and Troy vs. The Citadel at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, The Citadel vs. Northwestern State commences at 10:30 a.m. and Troy vs. Northwestern State rounds out the weekend at 3:30 p.m.
Game Information
Matchups: Murray State (1-8) | The Citadel (3-6) | Northwestern State (6-6)
When: Thursday, 6 p.m. | Friday, 6:30 p.m. | Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Troy, Ala. — Trojan Arena
Watch: ESPN+ (all Troy matches)
Stats: TroyTrojans.com/livestats
Scouting Murray State
5th meeting: Murray State leads all-time series 3-1.
The Trojans and Racers last faced off on Sept. 15, 2017, where Troy swept Murray State. Murray State had won the previous three contests with the first matchup between the programs occurring in 1998. Second-year Anne Makowski leads the Racers with 111 kills on .200 hitting.
Scouting The Citadel
3rd meeting: Troy leads all-time series 2-0.
Troy won the last matchup between the two programs back on Sept. 12, 2024, in three sets. The Trojans won the first matchup between the two in three sets back on Sept. 20, 2019. As a team, the Bulldogs are hitting .153 on 358 kills through their first nine matches. Third-year setter Greta Pleuss leads the team with 200 assists.
Scouting Northwestern State
7th meeting: All-time series is tied 3-3.
Saturday's matchup between the Trojans and Demons marks the seventh meeting between the two programs. The series is tied at three wins apiece, with Northwestern State winning the most recent clash back on Sept. 1, 2017, in three sets. Northwestern State enters the weekend having won five consecutive matches. The Demons are hitting .175 with 516 kills as a team. Fourth-year setter Jade Longlad has a team-high 345 assists.
Immediate Impact
The Trojans welcomed three first-year players to the 2026 roster including outside hitter Isa Ruether, and defensive specialists Haley Nash and Kenzly Foote. Ruether has been an offensive spark for the Cardinal and White, as the Franklin, Wis., native has tallied double-digit kills in three consecutive matches. Nash has been an anchor for the Trojans on defense, as the College Station, Texas, native leads the team with 57 digs. Foote has been effective in the serving game, as the Alabaster, Ala., native has tallied eight service aces on the season, and at least one in four consecutive matches.
Notables
- In the Trojans' loss to FAU on Sept. 12, 2026, third-year standout Kalina Calvillo eclipsed 500 career kills with her 15-kill outing against the Owls.
- Troy enters the weekend invitational atop the Sun Belt Conference in aces/set with 2.10 — this mark ranks 22nd nationally.
- The Trojans are 2-1 in the confines of Trojan Arena this season. A challenging road slate produced no wins for Troy, as they sit 0-2 on the road and 0-1 in neutral-site matches.
Players Mentioned
Outside Hitter
/ Volleyball
Defensive Specialist
/ Volleyball
Defensive Specialist
/ VolleyballSunday, August 30
Sunday, August 30
Sunday, August 30
Saturday, August 29