The 2019 DII women's volleyball season got underway on Sept. 5 and we wasted little time getting into intense top-25 action.
Reigning champions Tampa prevailed in its opening day match against Central Missouri in a top 25 showdown between two of DII women's volleyball's all-time powerhouses. Minnesota Duluth split its opening day matches against West Coast powers, defeating No. 19 Cal State LA before falling to No. 2 Cal State San Bernardino. And Tarleton State picked up an opening day sweep as impromptu hosts of the Texan Invitational in the wake of Hurricane Dorian.
PRESEASON TOP 25: What we learned from the first AVCA poll of 2019
You can find every result of the opening matches for each of the top 25 teams below with a brief primer of the tournaments played over the weekend.
2019 TOURNAMENT INFO: The essential guide to the DII women's volleyball championship
Every opening day match for the 2019 DII women's volleyball top 25
(UPDATE: Due to Hurricane Dorian's impact on Florida, several opening weekend matches have been canceled. These have been noted in the schedule below. Check back for updates and scores throughout the weekend.)
| Rank | School | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tampa | Tampa 3, Indiana (PA) 0 | Tampa 3, Central Missouri 0 |
| 2 | Cal State San Bernardino | Cal State San Bernardino 3, West Alabama 0 |
| 3 | Western Washington | Western Washington 3, West Florida 2 |
| 4 | Washburn | Washburn 3, William Jewel 0 | Washburn 3, Texas Women's 0 |
| 5 | Concordia - St. Paul | Concordia - St. Paul 2, Hillsdale | Concordia- St. Paul 3, Florida Southern 1 |
| 6 | Minnesota Duluth | Minn. Duluth 3, Cal State LA 0 | CSU San Bernardino 3, Minn. Duluth 1 |
| 7 | Lewis | Lewis 3, Millersville 0|Lewis 3, Shaw 0 |
| 8 | Northern State | Northern State 3, Alaska Fairbanks 0 | Northern State 3, DBU 0 |
| 9 | Southwest Minnesota State | Michigan Tech 3, SW Minnesota State 0 |
| 10 | Tarleton State | Tarleton State 3, Cal State LA 2 | Tarleton State 3, West Alabama 0 |
| 11 | Nebraska-Kearney | Nebraska-Kearney 3, Adams State 0 |Nebraska-Kearney 3, Findlay 1 |
| 12 | Ferris State | Ferris State 3, Ohio Dominican 0 |
| 13 | Wheeling | Wheeling 3, Florida Tech 0 | Wheeling 1, Western Washington 3 |
| 14 | Rockhurst | Rockhurst 3, West Alabama 0 | Rockhurst 3, Cal State LA 1 |
| 15 | Palm Beach Atlantic | Palm Beach Atlantic 3, Truman State 0 | Palm Beach Atlantic 3, Puerto Rico Mayaguez 1 |
| 16 | Barry | Barry 3, Saint Anselm 0| Barry 3, American International 0 |
| 17 | Central Missouri | Central Missouri 3, Valdosta State 0 |
| 18 | Drury | Drury 2, Emporia State 3| Drury 2, Central Washington 3 |
| 19 | Cal State L. A. | Minnesota Duluth 3, Cal State LA 0 |
| T-20 | Cal Poly Pomona | Cal Poly Pomona 3, Western Oregon 0 |
| T-20 | Texas A&M-Commerce | TAMU-C 3, St. Edward's 0 | TAMU-C 3, Henderson State 2 |
| 22 | Central Oklahoma | Central Oklahoma 3, Malone 0 | Central Oklahoma 3, West Liberty 0 |
| 23 | Central Washington | CWU 0, Northwest Missouri State 3|CWU 3, Drury 0 |
| 24 | West Florida | Western Washington 3, West Florida 2 |
| 25 | Wingate | Wingate 3, North Greenville 0 | Wingate 3, Belmont Abbey 0 |
Here's a look at three of the bigger tournaments to watch on DII women's volleyball's opening weekend.
The Courtyard by Marriott-Terrace Hotel Classic, Tampa, Sept. 6-7
This one is hosted by the defending champion Tampa Spartans. On opening night they follow their match with Indiana (PA) against No. 17 Central Missouri. No two teams in the history of the AVCA poll have been in the top 25 more than the Jennies (426) and the Spartans (398). The next day, No. 1 Tampa takes on No. 5 Concordia-St. Paul. You know, the team with the most national championships in the history of DII women's volleyball? Tampa has a bunch of returners from last year. If they sweep this tournament or even come out ahead, you can consider them serious threats for a repeat run.
Springhill Suites Invitational, West Florida, Sept. 5-7
The No. 23 Argos put themselves right to the test, facing off against the reigning national runners-up and No. 3-ranked Western Washington on opening night. West Florida closes its tournament taking on No. 13 Wheeling, a national quarterfinalist in Pittsburgh at the DII Festival one year ago. There's plenty of reason to have your eyes on this one.
CANCELED — Hyatt Place Bash at the Beach, Palm Beach Atlantic, Sept. 6-7
The host Sailfish, the preseason No. 15 in DII women's volleyball, were forced to cancel their annual Bash due to Hurricane Dorian. Every last one of their opponents is in the top 25. Palm Beach Atlantic was set to open against No. 10 Tarleton State — a national quarterfinalist one year ago — before playing No. 19 Cal State L.A. on Friday and then No. 6 Minnesota Duluth and No. 2 Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday. Talk about a stacked field.
PBA UPDATE — The Sailfish have joined the Shark Invitational hosted by Nova Southeastern and will play Friday at 11:30 a.m. against Truman State to open the season.
ADDED — The Texan Invitational, Tarleton State, Sept. 5-7
In wake of the canceled Bash at the Beach, the Texans are hosting a tournament hosting many of the teams scheduled for Palm Beach. These games are reflected in the schedule below.
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