Triple Espresso, College Edition

The GIST: Two of the season’s most compelling women’s soccer squads hit the pitch tomorrow when the top-ranked Florida State Seminoles host the No. 24 Georgia Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. ET on ACCNX. For the former, it’s 2024’s first true test. For the latter, it’s a potentially season-defining match.

The Seminoles’ start: The reigning natty champs are still hands down the nation’s hottest team — they’ve outscored their first three season opponents by a mind-numbing 18-0, extending last year’s win streak to 18 games.

• Despite losing half their 2023 roster, the ’Noles haven’t skipped a beat thanks to three standout freshmen: forward Wrianna Hudson and midfielders Ashlyn Puerta and Lara Dantas. Think Triple Espresso, college edition.

• The biggest question facing FSU? How well their young core will hold up against their first ranked opponent of the season.

The Bulldogs’ start: Hoping to earn nationwide recognition in pre–SEC play, Georgia gambled with an ambitious early schedule. So far, it’s generally paid off: The Bulldogs held their own with then–No. 7 Pitt, put up a good fight against No. 5 UNC, and crushed Kennesaw State. Now, the pressure’s on to make a serious statement against their final ranked nonconference opponent.

• The Dawgs’ offense is powered by forward Margie Detrizio and midfielder Summer Denigan, who’ve each netted three goals so far this season, with Denigan’s booked via a hat trick on Sunday. To keep up with FSU’s scoring machine, both must overperform tomorrow.

Tonight’s can’t-miss match: No. 3 UCLA and No. 16 BYU will kick off the midweek action tonight at 10 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network. A mediocre season start sent BYU tumbling from No. 4 in yesterday’s poll, but nothing gets a squad back on track like a high-profile road win.

The GIST: The women’s volleyball season always opens with searing nonconference invitationals, but 2024 served up the hottest start yet: Last night, The First Serve Showcase delivered two top-10 thrillers at this year’s national championship venue, No. 6 Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center. Delicious.

Allick and Beason shine for No. 2 Nebraska: After trading two tight sets with No. 9 Kentucky, the Cornhuskers took control, winning the invite’s opener 3-1 thanks to the 11 kills apiece from outside hitter (OH) Merritt Beason and middle blocker Rebekah Allick. Beason also added eight digs in the dub. Hot damn.

Harper Murray returns to the court: The Nebraska OH and 2023 Freshman of the Year finalist has been recovering from a mental health crisis since her team’s December title game loss, she shared in an ESPN article yesterday. The revelation provides important context for her offseason legal issues, including a DUI and a shoplifting charge.

• Despite mixed feelings from fans (see: this post’s comments), Murray recorded eight kills last night, appearing calm and confident as she looks to make good on her promises. The redemption tour is so on.

OH Sarah Franklin is a stone-cold killer in No. 3 Wisconsin loss: The reigning Player of the Year racked up an astonishing 17 kills in the evening’s second blockbuster matchup. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to keep pace with No. 6 Louisville’s dynamic OH duo of Anna DeBeer (10 kills, 16 digs) and Charitie Luper (11 kills, 10 digs) — Franklin’s Badgers fell 3-1 to the host squad. Tough.