MURFREESBORO, N.C. – In just one week, Chowan Volleyball will officially return to the court as the Hawks open the 2026 season looking to build on the program's continued growth under third-year Head Coach Kellan Hollingsworth.

Hollingsworth enters the season with a combination of returning experience and several newcomers expected to make an immediate impact. A talented group of freshmen, along with the addition of several transfers, will add depth to the Hawks' roster as Chowan prepares to compete in a competitive Conference Carolinas slate.

Joining Hollingsworth on the sideline this season will be a familiar face in recent Chowan graduate and reigning Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year Diana Rodriguez. After concluding a decorated playing career with the Hawks, Rodriguez will transition into a new role as a graduate assistant for the program.

Chowan will have an opportunity to test its roster early, opening the season with back-to-back non-conference tournaments before turning its attention toward Conference Carolinas play.

The 2026 season will also mark the debut of Chowan's new developmental squad, providing additional opportunities for younger members of the program to gain valuable collegiate playing experience while continuing to develop their skills. Primarily composed of freshmen, the developmental team will compete against other Conference Carolinas developmental programs throughout the season before concluding the year at the Conference Carolinas Women's Volleyball Developmental Championship.
 

2026 Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll 

Conference Carolinas released its 2026 Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll, with Chowan picked 15th among the league's 16 institutions.

Defending Conference Carolinas Tournament Champion Emmanuel claimed the top spot after receiving 10 first-place votes and 216 points. The Lions, who finished as the tournament runner-up in 2024 before capturing the title in 2025, have also won the Southwest Division in each of the last two seasons.

Emmanuel narrowly edged 2025 East Division Champion Francis Marion, who received the remaining six first-place votes and 215 points. UNC Pembroke was selected third with 181 points, followed closely by 2025 tournament runner-up North Greenville with 180. Defending Northwest Division Champion Converse rounded out the top five with 174 points.

Shorter was picked sixth with 148 points, followed by Mount Olive with 139 and Southern Wesleyan with 122. Lees-McRae (120) and Belmont Abbey (98) completed the top 10.

King was selected 11th with 89 points, followed by Barton (73), Young Harris (67) and Erskine (48). Chowan received 34 points to take the No. 15 spot, while Ferrum rounded out the poll with 16 points.

The preseason poll was voted on by the league's head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own programs.

 

	School	Points (1st Place)
1	Emmanuel	216 (10)
2	Francis Marion	215 (6)
3	UNC Pembroke	181
4	North Greenville	180
5	Converse	174
6	Shorter	148
7	Mount Olive	139
8	Southern Wesleyan	122
9	Lees-McRae	120
10	Belmont Abbey	98
11	King	89
12	Barton	73
13	Young Harris	67
14	Erskine	48
15	Chowan	34
16	Ferrum	16

2026 Conference Carolinas Players to Watch

Along with voting in the preseason poll, each Conference Carolinas member institution had the opportunity to select three student-athletes as Players to Watch for the upcoming season. Representing Chowan are Anna Holcombe, Madison Henderson and Andrea Krgovic.

Anna Holcombe is no stranger to the culture and expectations of the Chowan Volleyball program as she enters her third season with the Hawks. The Wake Forest, North Carolina native has developed into a versatile outside hitter and will look to continue providing a spark for the Chowan attack.

Holcombe brings valuable experience into the season after appearing in 106 sets throughout her career. She has recorded 260 kills offensively while adding 266 digs on the defensive side of the ball, displaying her ability to contribute in multiple areas of the game. Now entering the latter half of her collegiate career, Holcombe's experience and familiarity with the program will make her an important piece of the Hawks' lineup in 2026.

Madison Henderson made an immediate impact during her freshman campaign and returns for year two looking to build upon a strong start to her Chowan career. The Mount Gilead, North Carolina native established herself as a force at the net from the middle blocker position.

Henderson's impact was evident in her freshman campaign, as she overcame a few missed games due to injury to lead Conference Carolinas with 71 total blocks and recording 107 kills. Her presence at the net was a major factor for the Hawks defensively, while her ability to contribute offensively added another dimension to Chowan's attack.  With a full collegiate season now under her belt, Henderson enters her sophomore campaign poised to take another step forward as one of the Hawks' key contributors.

Andrea Krgovic enters her junior season as a new addition to the Chowan Volleyball program. Originally from Bijelo Polje, Montenegro, Krgovic joins the Hawks as a transfer and will add another experienced option at the setter position. As she begins her first season in Murfreesboro, Krgovic will look to make an immediate impact in Chowan's offense and help facilitate the Hawks' attack throughout the 2026 season.

 

Chowan

• Anna Holcombe, Jr., OH, Wake Forest, North Carolina

• Madison Henderson, So., MB, Mount Gilead, North Carolina

• Andrea Krgovic, Jr., S, Bijelo Polje, Montenegro

 

Barton

• Bailey McIntyre, Jr., Outside Hitter, Mooresville, North Carolina

• Kylie Simpson, Jr., Lexington, Kentucky

• Paige Bagwell, Sr., Setter, Kings Mountain, North Carolina

Belmont Abbey

• Renata Bolado, Jr., OH, Sugar Land, Texas

• Lola Sultenfuss, MB, Sr., Hendersonville, North Carolina

• Emma Youngblood, S, Jr., Fletcher, North Carolina

Converse

• Alysha Arroyo, Sr., Isabela, Puerto Rico (2025 All-Conference second team, 2024 Conference Carolinas All-Tournament)

• Ariel Bryant, Sr., Fort Mill, South Carolina (2024 All-Conference third team, 2024 Conference Carolinas All-Tournament)

• Alayah Robertson, Sr., Clayton, North Carolina (2025 All-Conference second team)

Emmanuel

• Ellie Jackson, Gr., OH, Jacksonville, Florida (2025, 2024 All-Conference first team, 2025, 2024 AVCA honorable mention All-America and All-Southeast Region)

• Maruša Pešut, So., S, Maribur, Slovenia (2025 Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year and first team all-conference, 2025 AVCA Southeast Region Freshman of the Year)

• Cailin Pritchard, Sr., OPP, Guyton, Georgia (2nd team All-Conference in 2024, 3rd team All-Conference in 2025)

Erskine

• Becca Yohe, Sr., OPP, Summerville, South Carolina

• MJ Hurd, Sr., L, Pembroke Pines, Florida

• Ella Dietrich, Jr., MB, Port Orange, Florida

Ferrum

• Catherine Bennett, Sr., OH, Melbourne, Florida

• Ema Powell, So., MB, Brevard, North Carolina

• Harleigh Propst, Jr., Setter, Fayton, Virginia

Francis Marion

• Madilyn Gartner, Sr., OH, Albertville, Minnesota (2025 AVCA honorable mention All-America, 2025 honorable mention AVCA All-Southeast Region, 2025 D2 CCA All-Southeast Region first team, 2025 Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year and all-conference first team)

• Haleigh Kamer, So., OH/OPP, Black Mountain, North Carolina

• Venessa Blake, Gr., MB, Summerville, South Carolina

King

• Avery Schwieger, Jr., OH, Winter Park, Florida

• Isabella "Gracie" Statzer, Fr., MB, Abingdon, Virginia

• Amaya Hall, Sr., S, Indian Trail, North Carolina

Lees-McRae

• Iza Rosin, So., S, São Paulo, Brazil (2025 All-Conference Carolinas third team)

• Brooke Ashkenase, Jr., DS, Wesley Chapel, Florida

• Peyton Volk-Tuller, Jr., RS, Mooresville, North Carolina

Mount Olive

• Olivia Melvin, Jr., OH, Fayetteville, North Carolina (2025 All-Conference Carolinas third team, 2024 Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year)

• Rachel Clark, Sr., MB, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Lyndsay Reid, Sr., S, Thomasville, North Carolina

UNC Pembroke

• Abby Peduzzi, Sr., OH, Hilton Head, South Carolina (2025 and 2024 All-Conference Carolinas first team)

• Addie Decker, Jr., RS, Indianapolis, Indiana

• Tyler Patterson, Sr., S, Jacksonville, Florida (2024 All-Conference Carolinas second team)

North Greenville

• Anna Fiddelke, Sr., MB, Fountain Inn, South Carolina (All-Conference Carolinas second team)

• Samantha Ball, Sr., OH, Saint Paul, Minnesota (All-Conference Carolinas second team)

• Allison Ball, Sr., S, Saint Paul, Minnesota (All-Conference Carolinas second team)

Shorter

• Victoria Sparks, Sr., OH, Bardstown, Kentucky

• Caitlyn Sutton, So., L, Loganville, Georgia

• Alexis Williams, Sr., MB, Hillsboro, Kentucky

Southern Wesleyan

• Ainsley Stovall, Jr., OH, Freeport, Illinois

• Briley Wolff, So., MB, Boerne, Texas

• Megan Gilliland, Sr., RS/MB, Casstown, Ohio

Young Harris

• Lyza Thigpen, Sr., S, Flowery Branch, Georgia (2024 All-Conference Carolinas third team)

• Piper Duckworth, Fr., OPP, Cumming, Georgia

• Mary Margaret Wilson, So., OH, Acworth, Georgia

The Road Ahead: 2026 Schedule

The Hawks will hit the ground running on August 28, traveling to Hartsville, South Carolina, for the Coker Cobra Classic. Chowan will play three matches over two days, opening the 2026 season against Saint Leo before facing tournament host Coker later that evening. The Hawks will close out the tournament against Valdosta State on August 29.

September will begin with another early-season test as Chowan travels to Elizabeth City, North Carolina, for the Viking Classic on September 4-5. The Hawks will face West Chester and host Elizabeth City State on the opening day before taking on Kutztown and Glenville State to conclude the tournament.

After eight neutral-site contests to begin the year, Chowan will make their long-awaited debut inside the Hawks Athletic Center on September 9, hosting Barton College at 6 PM. The Hawks will then hit the road for back-to-back contests at Lees-McRae on September 11 and King on September 12.

Chowan will return to Murfreesboro for a three-match homestand, welcoming Erskine on September 18, Belmont Abbey on September 19 and Mount Olive on September 23. The Hawks will then travel to Rome, Georgia, to face Shorter on September 26 before closing out the month at home against Francis Marion on September 29.

October opens with a trip to Georgia as the Hawks face Emmanuel in Franklin Springs on October 2 before traveling to Young Harris the following day. Chowan will then return home for three straight matches, hosting UNC Pembroke on October 7, Southern Wesleyan on October 9 and North Greenville on October 10.

The second half of the month will challenge the Hawks on the road with four consecutive matches away. Chowan will travel to Ferrum on October 16, UNC Pembroke on October 23, Francis Marion on October 24 and Mount Olive on October 27.

The Hawks will return to the Hawks Athletic Center for their final two home contests of the regular season, hosting Converse for Senior Day on October 30 before welcoming Ferrum for a Halloween matchup on October 31. Chowan will then close out the regular season on November 3 with a road contest against Barton once more.

The road to a Conference Carolinas title will begin with the opening round of the 2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Volleyball Championship on November 6 or 7, followed by the quarterfinal round on November 10 or 11. The final four teams remaining will advance to Pembroke, North Carolina, where the semifinals and championship match will be contested November 14-15 at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court at UNC Pembroke.

With a core of returning Hawks, newcomers ready to make an immediate impact and a schedule that will test Chowan from the opening serve, the pieces are in place for the Hawks to take another step forward in 2026.