WEATHERFORD – After completing an 11-match non-conference stretch at three early season tournaments, SWOSU Volleyball now shifts its focus to Great American Conference play, with 16 of the final 17 regular season matches coming against league opponents ahead of the GAC Tournament, set for November 20-22.

The Bulldogs sit at 2-9 after navigating a challenging early schedule that included showdowns with No. 2 Central Oklahoma and now ranked No. 24 Minnesota Duluth, taking a set from each nationally ranked opponent.

The front line has been the team's calling card. Freshman middle Katja Blanchat leads the GAC and ranks 11th nationally with 1.49 blocks per set, while fellow freshman Sydney Winfrey adds 1.29 (second in the league, 19th nationally). As a group, SWOSU owns the second-highest blocks/set average in Division II and the most total blocks of any program in the country.

Veteran hitters provide the offensive spark. Senior Paris Patterson paces the Bulldogs with 2.91 kills per set, with classmate Hailey Smith close behind at 2.49. Senior setter Cameron Turner directs the attack with 8.42 assists per set, third best in the GAC, and libero Jada Permenter anchors the defense at 4.60 digs per set, fourth in the league.

SWOSU opens conference play at home Tuesday at 6 p.m. against East Central in the first of just seven home dates on the 2025 schedule.