Lady Jays ready for opening weekend of VB action in Illinois

The Minnesota West Lady Jays volleyball team got to play against someone other than themselves when they traveled to Iowa Lakes Community College on Tuesday.

With that scrimmage match in the books, the Lady Jays are now off to Illinois to take part in what should be a competitive tournament. They'll play their first counting match of the 2026 season on Friday when they take on Delta College of Michigan at 2:15 p.m. in the Rockford, Ill., Opening Weekend Tournament. Another Friday match will follow at approximately 4:15 p.m. against Elgin, Ill. Community College.

Tourney play in Rockford continues on Saturday with a match against Harper College of Palatine, Ill., that's scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Minnesota West has one more match, against College of DuPage of Glen Ellyn, Ill., at 12:15 p.m. Listed times are Central time.

The Lady Jays begin the season with a No. 5 ranking in the NJCAA Division 3 Volleyball Preseason Poll. One of their opponents this weekend — College of DuPage — owns the No. 4 ranking.

After this weekend's matches, Minnesota West will be back on the road next weekend for the annual Crossover Tournament at Anoka-Ramsey. The Lady Jays play their home opener at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 against Riverland.