ROCKHILL, S.C. – On Wednesday morning, the South Atlantic Conference released its 2026 Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll, with Anderson earning the top spot for the first time in program history with 116 points and eight first-place votes. The Trojans also collected five preseason honors. Seniors Ellie Nieporte (Boca Raton, Fla.), Emily Campbell (Statesville, N.C.), and Ava Reeves (Lexington, S.C.), along with junior Mia Elder (Leland, N.C.), were named to the Preseason All-Conference Team, while junior Maura Kindel (Easley, S.C.) was named a Player to Watch.
"We are looking forward to a very competitive conference schedule this fall," head coach Todd Hay says. "We have had a good preseason, and we are excited to start our year up in West Virginia. The 22-match conference schedule will be a grind, but that's why we do what we do: the love of competition. See you in Abney this fall."
During the 2025 season, Nieporte earned First Team All-Conference honors after recording 936 assists and averaging 9.85 assists per set. She also earned AVCA First Team All-Southeast Region and Honorable Mention All-America honors. Campbell earned Second Team All-Conference honors after recording 88 blocks and 240 kills, while also earning AVCA Honorable Mention All-Southeast Region and All-America honors.
Elder earned Second Team All-Conference honors after leading the Trojans with 282 kills and averaging 3.24 kills per set, while also earning AVCA Honorable Mention All-Southeast Region and All-America honors. Reeves earned Second Team All-Conference honors after recording 270 kills and averaging 3.03 kills per set. Kindel earned Third Team All-Conference honors last season after recording 62 blocks and 138 kills.
Last season, Anderson finished 23-8 overall and 16-4 in conference play. The Trojans earned a No. 3 ranking going into the NCAA Southeast Regional tournament and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the second time in program history.
The Trojans kick off their 2026 season at the Fairmont State Volleyball Classic on Friday, August 28. Anderson takes on Lees-McRae College at 1:00 P.M. and Fairmont State University at 5:00 P.M.
2026 SAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Anderson (8) - 116
2. Wingate (3) - 109
3. Lenoir-Rhyne (1) - 101
4. Carson-Newman - 97
5. UVA Wise - 71
6. Coker - 61
7. Tusculum - 55
8. Catawba - 52
9. Newberry - 42
10. Lincoln Memorial - 40
11. Mars Hill - 37
12. Emory & Henry - 11
Click HERE to view this year's 2026 SAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll release.
