MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Though West Virginia didn’t win a Big 12 volleyball match last season, the program still enjoyed a watershed moment when a school-record 3,112 fans turned out to see WVU host eventual national champion Texas.
Now comes word that this season’s return trip by Texas will provide another benchmark: National television.
ESPNU announced Monday it plans to broadcast the Mountaineers’ match against Texas on Oct. 23 — the first WVU home match to air nationally.
“We are excited to be a part of another program first for WVU Volleyball this season with our program’s first televised match,” said West Virginia coach Jill Kramer. “Joining the Big 12 Conference has certainly elevated the national exposure for our volleyball program, and this nationally-televised match gives us yet another opportunity to showcase what the West Virginia University fan base is really like, as well as provide another historical event for our fans to enjoy.”
Texas swept WVU at the Coliseum last year, but the Mountaineers aim to be more competitive this fall, returning six starters, including setter Brittany Sample. Libero Anna Panagiotakopoulos also is back after a promising freshman season.
WVU finished 8-22 overall and 0-16 in league play, whereas Texas finished 29-4 and 15-1 in the Big 12, beating Oregon in the national finals.