Volleyball Hosts FAU, Tulane to Open Conference Play

DENTON, Texas – The UNT volleyball team begins American Conference play this weekend against Florida Atlantic and Tulane as it completes a five-match homestand at the UNT Volleyball Center.

North Texas battles Florida Atlantic on Friday at 6 p.m. in the league opener and concludes the weekend Sunday afternoon against Tulane at 1 p.m.

Both matches will be available for streaming on ESPN+. James Trietley and Faith Lynch are set to handle broadcast duties Friday while Owen Simpson and Hek'ma Harrison take the call versus the Green Wave.

Weekend Overview

The Mean Green hold a decisive 14-7 lead in the all-time series against Florida Atlantic, which originally began 20 years ago. However, FAU has won back-to-back matchups despite the Mean Green taking the first set in each of those contests. UNT has captured victory just once in its past four tries at home against FAU.
In a series that dates back to 1976, UNT is 9-3 through a dozen meetings with Tulane. The Mean Green swept both matchups last season, including an intense five-set battle in New Orleans on Oct. 10. They are undefeated in three home matchups against the Green Wave and have won six of the last seven overall.
With a pair of wins this weekend, UNT would begin conference play 2-0 for the fourth time in its past five seasons. Last year, it fell to Charlotte in head coach Dave Fleming's American Conference debut.

UNT Quick Hits

The Mean Green have won four of their past five matches to take a 7-4 overall record into the American Conference slate.
UNT enters the weekend with momentum after a 2-1 showing at its home tournament, which concluded on an epic reverse sweep of East Texas A&M.
Dave Fleming is in his second season at the helm of the Mean Green program, compiling a 28-13 record during that time. In Fleming's debut season, UNT won 20+ matches for the first time since 2017 and finished fourth in the American.
Outside hitter Jahniya Jackson has taken a significant leap in her second season with the program, leading the Mean Green with 132 kills (3.14/set) thus far. She also owns a pair of double-doubles and has topped the team in kills seven times.
The North Texas lineup features a strong middle blocker duo in Loredana Fouonji and Addison Achilles, who have each started every match this season. Fouonji was a Second Team All-Conference performer in 2025, while Achilles is averaging 1.56 kills per set and currently holds the team lead for blocks at 39.0. Fouonji is just behind with 38.0 of her own.
Sophomore Alessandra Romo has earned the start at libero in all 11 matches this season and ranks second in the league with 156 digs (3.71/set). She was named American Conference Defensive Player of the Week back on Aug. 31 for an excellent performance at the ACU Invitational.
UNT continues to receive significant contributions from its setter duo of Sidney Soria and Olivia Branum, who are combining for 10.53 assists per set. Just a freshman, Branum's five double-doubles are the most on the team.

Previously On...

North Texas went 2-1 last weekend while serving as host of the UNT Invitational.
The Mean Green secured their first sweep of the season Thursday against Tarleton State before pulling off a reverse sweep of East Texas A&M in the non-conference finale. It was UNT's 17th reverse sweep in program history and first since Sept. 18, 2025, against LA Tech.
After going down 0-2, UNT outscored the Lions 65-37 over the final three sets and recorded season-highs in both kills (71) and service aces (13).
Outside hitter Lillian Croshaw was named to the All-Tournament Team as she tied her career-high of 20 kills on Sunday. She is averaging 3.0 kills per set on a .367 hitting percentage over her last five matches.
Jahniya Jackson joined Croshaw on the All-Tournament Team.

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Players Mentioned

Addison Achilles

Olivia Branum

Lillian Croshaw

Loredana Fouonji

Jahniya Jackson

Alessandra Romo

Sidney Soria

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