BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - With longtime DII power University of West Florida leaving the Gulf South Conference and moving to DI, the GSC volleyball coaches have voted University of Alabama in Huntsville, Trevecca Nazarene University and Lee University as the three teams to battle it out for the regular season and tournament championships in the 2026 poll.
UAH and Trevecca finished tied for second behind West Florida last season. The Chargers and Trojans posted a 15-5 conference mark while the Flames were 12-8. Montevallo is picked to place fourth while Christian Brothers rounds out the top five in the 2026 voting.
"UWF was a strong presence in our conference and a team I enjoyed competing against every year. Without them in the GSC, I think every program probably feels like they have a better chance at taking the tournament," said Coach Christa Fabre. "There are several strong teams that make up our conference and it will still be a tough fight to reach the top. Coach Moseley has put together a solid squad at UAH and I'm looking forward to facing them; I think we will see some high level competition."
The GSC coaches placed three Lee players on the Preseason All-Conference Team. Esthefany Rabit, a senior middle blocker, Payton Danley, a junior middle blocker and right-side hitter, joined Sophia Lippert, a sophomore outside hitter on the eight-member squad. No other team had more than one player selected.
"All three of these ladies, Esthefany, Payton and Sophia played major roles in our success last season," said Coach Fabre. "We are excited for the season ahead and I believe we are equipped to be a championship contender in our conference.
"Sophia is taking on a major role for us this year as we are looking for her to play six rotations. Her back row plays and first contact touch is something we are excited to see more of this season as well as her always strong efficiency and ability to score at the net.
"Payton has been a force for us both offensively and defensively in her dynamic ability to both score the ball offensively and block the best hitters we face at the pin. Esthefany is a strong block and presence at the net, and we are looking for the same high efficiency in both categories this season from her as well," added the coach, who begins her fourth season with the Lady Flames.
She noted, "We anticipate that Jordyn Butler (red-shirt, junior) and (sophomores) Olivia Reevey and Jasmine Terry will also play important roles for us. We have a great group of setters and DS/Liberos who will help us get the ball up to our front row, so we are developing a well-rounded unit. We have a strong group and are setting our goals and standards high to be able to look back with pride at the body of work we put in!"
Coach Fabre does have one key figure to replace. "Izzy Denton was a huge part of our first contact success last season, and we have a couple of freshmen coming in, one of those being Avery Sample, who are performing well in that spot as well as some returners. There is great competition going on in our gym for the libero jersey! Emmi Black is another freshman we are excited about in the setter role and can see getting some time."
The Flames will play three exhibition matches before opening the regular season. They will host Tusculum College (Sat. Aug. 15), and Covenant and Carson Newman (Sat. Aug. 22). On Friday (Aug. 28) they will open the regular season in Greenwood, S.C., facing host Wingate University and UVA Wise. The Flames will return to action in the same event on Saturday (Aug. 29) testing Converse College.
2026 GSC Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. UAH (7), 79 points
2. Trevecca Nazarene (2), 71 points
3. Lee (1), 65 points
4. Montevallo, 51 points
5. Christian Brothers, 44 points
6. Valdosta State, 43 points
7. Mississippi Christian, 41 points
8. West Alabama, 23 points
9. Union, 18 points
10. AUM, 15 points
First-place votes in parentheses
2026 GSC Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
Kaitlyn Grant, Sr., MB, Trevecca Nazarene
Esthefany Rabit, Sr., MB, Lee
Sydney Durban, So., DS, UAH
Rhaia Davey, Sr., MH, Mississippi Christian
Sophia Lippert, So., OH, Lee
Mary Grace Bundrant, Sr., MB, UAH
Payton Danley, Jr., MB/RS, Lee
Carleiny Morillo, Sr., S, Christian Brothers
Eimy Negron Domenech, Sr., L, Valdosta State
GSC Volleyball Newcomers to Watch List
Ella Schumacher, UAH (Jr., OH, Sussex, Wis.)
Chelsea Daffin, AUM (Jr., OH/OPP, Mobile, Ala.)
Autumn Harper, AUM (Fr., MB, Mobile, Ala.)
Gabby Wokatsch, AUM (Fr., OH, New Berlin, Wis.)
Emmi Black, Lee (Fr., S, Cleveland, Tenn.)
Avery Sample, Lee (Fr., DS/L, Jonesboro, Ark.)
Mamie Fromdahl, Mississippi Christian (Jr., S, Mobile, Ala.)
Harper Green, Mississippi Christian (Fr., OH, Beeville, Texas)
Ava Rothe, Mississippi Christian (Fr., S, Kiel, Wis.)
Libby Rogers, Montevallo (Fr., S, Fairhope, Ala.)
Ellie Scharlow, Montevallo (Fr., OH, New Albany, Ind.)
Anna Vandell, Montevallo (Fr., OH, Deland, Fla.)
Brynne Krangnes, Trevecca Nazarene (So., S, Collierville, Tenn.)
Avery Ray, Trevecca Nazarene (Jr., RS, Soddy Daisy, Tenn.)
Anna Edwards, Union (So., RS, Pfafftown, N.C.)
Carly Edwards, Union (So., OH, Pfafftown, N.C.)
Isabella Messer, Union (Jr., DS/L, Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Camryn Childers, Valdosta State (Jr., OH, Cape Canaveral, Fla.)
Charlotte Kerscher, West Alabama (Fr., L, Straubing, Germany)
Ola Winiarek, West Alabama (Jr., OH, Bartoszyce, Poland)
