Wednesday, September 16
Waco, Texas
7 p.m.
Baylor
vs
UIW
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No. 18 VB set for Two-Match Homestand
9/15/2026 4:04:00 PM | Volleyball
Incarnate Word and UTEP to serve as final non-conference tests for BU
WACO, Texas – Baylor volleyball returns home this week for the 20th edition of the Baylor Classic, welcoming Incarnate Word and UTEP to the Ferrell Center for a pair of contests.
The Bears open the week Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Incarnate Word before hosting UTEP Friday at 7 p.m.
Baylor has dominated this event over the years, with a 49-6 all-time record in the Classic and a 12-match winning streak heading into the 2026 edition. The Bears have also compiled a 5-1 record through the first two multi-team events of the 2026 season.
Fresh off a strong showing in front of a big crowd in Nebraska, freshman Nadiya Johnson is excited to put their program on display in front of the home fans this week.
"We really want to fill the Ferrell, and we want people to come support volleyball," she said. "Texas is the best state to play in because there are so many young girls that play volleyball. We really want to be able to show the light of God to young girls as they grow up and play; we want to be that experience for other people. Seeing that for Nebraska was so inspiring for us because we have the Ferrell here, and so many young girls nearby; it just seems so attainable, and we really want to reach for that."
Wednesday's meeting with Incarnate Word comes exactly 43 years after the program's first and only meeting, with Baylor earning a 2-0 sweep in San Antonio in September 1983.
Friday's matchup against UTEP will mark the first meeting between the Bears and Miners since September 2012. Baylor head coach Ryan McGuyre has never faced either Incarnate Word or UTEP during his tenure in Waco, but boasts a 72-35 mark against in-state opponents.
Baylor is coming off a strong showing at the Ameritas Challenge in Lincoln, Neb., where the Bears went 2-1. Baylor opened the weekend with dominant sweeps of Georgia Tech and New Mexico, while its lone setback came against No. 1 Nebraska.
The Bears provided the Huskers with their toughest test of the young season. Entering the match, Nebraska had allowed opponents to reach 20 points in just one of its first 15 sets. Baylor eclipsed the 20-point mark in all three sets against the nation's top-ranked team, including forcing extra points in the third and final set before falling 26-24.
Ksenia Rakhmanchik continues to lead the way offensively for the Bears. The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week has been on a tear to open the season, leading the Big 12 and ranking among the nation's top 10 in attacks per set (12.22), kills per set (4.78) and points per set (5.19).
The stellar sophomore averaged 6.00 kills per set while hitting .302 during the Ameritas Challenge, including an 18-kill performance against the No. 1 Huskers. She was also joined on the Big 12's Starting Seven by Baylor setter Isabela Haggard, who directed the Bears to a .264 hitting percentage over the three-match weekend.
Wednesday's match against UIW is 2-5-4 night, where fans can purchase tickets for just $2.54, while Friday's match will feature free cheeseburgers for students while supplies last. Both matches are available on ESPN+, with stats available at BaylorBears.com/Stats.
Single-match tickets are on sale throughout the 2026 season at BaylorBears.com/tickets or by calling the Baylor Athletics Ticket Office at 254-710-1000.
To stay up to date with Baylor Volleyball all year long, follow the program on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok: @BaylorVBall. Want to support the team? You can do so by giving to the One Way Club.
The Bears open the week Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Incarnate Word before hosting UTEP Friday at 7 p.m.
Baylor has dominated this event over the years, with a 49-6 all-time record in the Classic and a 12-match winning streak heading into the 2026 edition. The Bears have also compiled a 5-1 record through the first two multi-team events of the 2026 season.
Fresh off a strong showing in front of a big crowd in Nebraska, freshman Nadiya Johnson is excited to put their program on display in front of the home fans this week.
"We really want to fill the Ferrell, and we want people to come support volleyball," she said. "Texas is the best state to play in because there are so many young girls that play volleyball. We really want to be able to show the light of God to young girls as they grow up and play; we want to be that experience for other people. Seeing that for Nebraska was so inspiring for us because we have the Ferrell here, and so many young girls nearby; it just seems so attainable, and we really want to reach for that."
Wednesday's meeting with Incarnate Word comes exactly 43 years after the program's first and only meeting, with Baylor earning a 2-0 sweep in San Antonio in September 1983.
Friday's matchup against UTEP will mark the first meeting between the Bears and Miners since September 2012. Baylor head coach Ryan McGuyre has never faced either Incarnate Word or UTEP during his tenure in Waco, but boasts a 72-35 mark against in-state opponents.
Baylor is coming off a strong showing at the Ameritas Challenge in Lincoln, Neb., where the Bears went 2-1. Baylor opened the weekend with dominant sweeps of Georgia Tech and New Mexico, while its lone setback came against No. 1 Nebraska.
The Bears provided the Huskers with their toughest test of the young season. Entering the match, Nebraska had allowed opponents to reach 20 points in just one of its first 15 sets. Baylor eclipsed the 20-point mark in all three sets against the nation's top-ranked team, including forcing extra points in the third and final set before falling 26-24.
Ksenia Rakhmanchik continues to lead the way offensively for the Bears. The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week has been on a tear to open the season, leading the Big 12 and ranking among the nation's top 10 in attacks per set (12.22), kills per set (4.78) and points per set (5.19).
The stellar sophomore averaged 6.00 kills per set while hitting .302 during the Ameritas Challenge, including an 18-kill performance against the No. 1 Huskers. She was also joined on the Big 12's Starting Seven by Baylor setter Isabela Haggard, who directed the Bears to a .264 hitting percentage over the three-match weekend.
Wednesday's match against UIW is 2-5-4 night, where fans can purchase tickets for just $2.54, while Friday's match will feature free cheeseburgers for students while supplies last. Both matches are available on ESPN+, with stats available at BaylorBears.com/Stats.
Single-match tickets are on sale throughout the 2026 season at BaylorBears.com/tickets or by calling the Baylor Athletics Ticket Office at 254-710-1000.
To stay up to date with Baylor Volleyball all year long, follow the program on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok: @BaylorVBall. Want to support the team? You can do so by giving to the One Way Club.
—Baylorbears.com—
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, September 16
Saturday, September 12
Sunday, September 06
Saturday, September 05
