Saint Louis Volleyball // Billiken Invitational
Match No. 1	Saint Louis vs. Buffalo
Date // Time	Friday, Aug. 28 // 6 p.m.
Stream // Live Stats	ESPN+ // LiveStats
Match No. 2	Saint Louis vs.UIC
Date // Time	Saturday, Aug. 29 // 2 p.m.
Stream // Live Stats	ESPN+ // LiveStats
Match No. 3	Saint Louis vs. Lindenwood
Date // Time	Sunday, Aug. 30 // 2 p.m.
Stream // Live Stats	ESPN+ // LiveStats
Location	St. Louis, Mo. (Chaifetz Pavilion)

FIRST SERVE

Saint Louis opens the 2026 at home with the Billiken Invitational. The Billikens will face Buffalo on Friday, UIC on Saturday and Lindenwood on Sunday inside Chaifetz Pavilion.
 
FOLLOWING THE ACTION
 
All three of SLU's matches will be streamed on ESPN+. Fans can follow live stats for all six games using the links attached to each game here.
 
ABOUT THE BILLIKENS
 
Saint Louis enters year four under head coach Andrea Beaty-Cain. The Billikens went 13-16 last season with a 10-5 record inside Chaifetz Pavilion. SLU was picked to finish eighth in the A-10 Preseason Poll. Jetta Brenning, Kayla Jansen and Tamia Maddox return after starting all 29 matches last season. Brenning was named Second-Team All-Conference and was joined on the All-Rookie Team by Ellie Rink. All five of SLU's top points leaders return.
 
SLU returns nine players in total from last year's squad and welcomes four newcomers (two freshmen and two transfers).
 
ABOUT THE BULLS
 
Buffalo went 1-1 in exhibition play with a win over Niagara and a 3-2 loss to Colgate.  The Bulls return nine players from its 2025 roster, including four rotational starters, while welcoming eight newcomers — five freshmen and three transfers. Senior Manoela Forlin, a 2025 Second-Team All-MAC selection, headlines the returning group after recording 345 kills, 390 points, 28 aces, 214 digs and 25 blocks last season. The Bulls also add transfers Hailey Campagna from Mississippi State and Abbie Willis from Western Carolina, along with international newcomers Anaya Cole and Michal Benaim. The Bulls went 9-18 last season and were picked to finish eighth in the MAC Preseason Poll.
 
ABOUT THE FLAMES
UIC was picked to finish tied for fourth in this season's Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll after posting a 17-10 record in 2025. The Flames return key contributors from last season, including setter Mihaela Harizanova and Gabi Peter. Harizanova ranked eighth in the MVC in assists per set a year ago, while Peter provides another experienced option on the attack. With a strong group of returners, UIC will look to build on its 2025 success and make a push in the MVC this season.
 
 
ABOUT THE LIONS
Lindenwood was picked to finish fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Poll after going 11-16 last season. The Lions return their top four scorers from 2025, including 2025 First-Team All-OVC selection Autumn Bax, who led the team with 348 kills and averaged 3.41 kills per set. Dana Grib and Ashley Geluck were named OVC Players to Watch, with Grib returning after leading the team with 437 digs and Geluck bringing back 273 kills, 26 aces and 47 blocks. Lindenwood also returns 113 of its 162 starts from last season, with 10 of its 17 players entering the year as juniors or seniors. The Lions added three transfers, including outside hitter Susanna Beretti, who was an NCAA Division II All-American at Quincy after ranking third nationally with 534 kills last season.