ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies volleyball team opens the 2025 regular season this weekend in Kalamazoo, as they are set to compete in the Western Michigan Tournament.
Oakland looks to continue improving under fourth-year head coach Krista Rice. The team finished 17-13 overall last season, with an 11-7 conference record. The Golden Grizzlies welcome eight new additions and return seven players, including starter Libby Smith, who enters her sixth season at OU.
Following Oakland's two-game preseason schedule, the Horizon League announced its preseason poll, with the Golden Grizzlies tied for eighth place. Oakland aims to start the regular season strong with three matches in three days in Kalamazoo.
FRIDAY, AUG. 29
OPPONENT: Western Michigan
TIME: 6:00 p.m. ET
LIVE STATS | TICKETS
LIVE STREAM: YouTube
SCOUTING THE BRONCOS
Just west on I-94, the Golden Grizzlies and Broncos have met 12 times in program history, with WMU leading the series 10-2. The last two Oakland wins came at the OU Credit Union O'rena: a 3-1 victory in 2015 and a sweep in 2016. This marks the first meeting between the in-state foes since 2017.
Western Michigan was picked fourth in the Mid-American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, and Mary Clare Brusek earned preseason All-MAC honors. The Broncos finished 20-13 in 2024, including back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024.
SATURDAY, AUG. 30
OPPONENT: DePaul
TIME: 3:00 p.m. ET
LIVE STATS
LIVE STREAM: WMUBroncos.com/watch
SCOUTING THE BLUE DEMONS
Saturday's match will be the third all-time meeting between Oakland and DePaul. The Golden Grizzlies won the previous two contests in 2019 and 2021.The Blue Demons were projected to finish sixth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches Poll.
Head coach Marie Zidek brought in eight newcomers as DePaul comes off a 21-14 record in 2024.They advanced to the conference semifinals in 2024 before falling to No. 1 seed Creighton. Zidek and DePaul extended their season with a postseason run to the NIVC Great Eight.
SUNDAY, AUG. 31
OPPONENT: Illinois State
TIME: 12:00 p.m. ET
LIVE STATS
LIVE STREAM: WMUBroncos.com/watch
SCOUTING THE REDBIRDS
The Golden Grizzlies face the Redbirds for the first time in three seasons, having dropped a three-set match to ISU at the Beale Street Challenge hosted by Memphis in 2022. Illinois State leads the all-time series 3-0, with prior match ups in 2008 and 2014.
The Redbirds ended their 2024 campaign fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 17-16 record. The 2025 squad has been picked to finish third in the MVC Preseason Poll, with Aida Shadewald and Khenedi Guest earning preseason All-MVC honors. ISU returns eight players who started at least nine matches under fourth-year head coach — and former Wright State head coach — Allie Matters.
How to Follow Oakland Volleyball: For complete information on Oakland Volleyball, follow the team on X at @OaklandWVB and head coach Krista Rice at @KKg1007. The team is also on Instagram.
