No. 17 Baylor Volleyball Began Big 12 Road Trip
The Bears traveled to Utah for critical conference matchups against BYU and Utah.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Volleyball
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The No. 17 Baylor volleyball team has traveled to Utah to begin its Big 12 conference schedule. The Bears, currently holding an 8-2 record, will face off against BYU and Utah to solidify their national standing.
Why it matters
Entering conference play is a pivotal moment for the Bears as they look to maintain their status as an upper-echelon squad in the national rankings. Success during this road trip against high-caliber Big 12 opponents is essential for their postseason trajectory.
No. 17 Baylor enters the series with an 8-2 record, while opponents BYU and Utah hold records of 8-1 and 8-3, respectively. Nadiya Johnson leads the efforts with 82 kills and a .229 hitting percentage.
The players
Baylor Bears
The collegiate volleyball team representing Baylor University based in Waco, Texas.
Nadiya Johnson
A prominent player for the Baylor volleyball team who was previously ranked as the No. 38 high school national player.
BYU
Brigham Young University is a major collegiate institution and member of the Big 12 Conference.
Utah
The University of Utah is a premier athletic program competing within the Big 12 Conference.
The details
The Baylor roster features six true freshmen, providing a mix of youth and experience as the team heads to Provo, Utah. The opening match against BYU is scheduled to take place at the George Albert Smith Fieldhouse and will be broadcast on FS1.
Timeline
The team began its road trip on September 25, 2026.
The match against BYU takes place on September 25, 2026, at 9 p.m.
The Big Picture
This road trip marks a tangible step in the 2026 Big 12 volleyball conference expansion. The geographic shift in the conference schedule creates new competitive hurdles for traditional programs like Baylor.
The road trip outcome will directly impact Baylor's position in the Big 12 standings and overall national ranking. Nadiya Johnson's offensive efficiency against top-tier conference blockers remains a key metric for fantasy or performance tracking.
The takeaway
The Bears must leverage their youthful roster to secure victories against experienced teams like BYU and Utah. Success away from home is critical for maintaining their national ranking through the remainder of the season.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the Bears, explore our Volleyball section.
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