Kansas City, MO – The University of the Cumberlands volleyball team will open the 2026 campaign ranked 10th in the NAIA Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll for their highest preseason ranking in program history, released by the national office Wednesday afternoon.

The Patriots are coming off the best season in program history, compiling a 36-1 overall record and a perfect 12-0 mark in Mid-South Conference play en route to capturing their first MSC regular season title. UC went on to win the MSC Tournament for the second time in three years before hosting an NAIA Opening Round match. Cumberlands defeated (RV) Columbia International 3-1 to advance to the NAIA Final Site, where the Patriots swept #17 Midland to earn their first win at the final site.

Cumberlands returns a strong core from last year's historic team, including five MSC First Team All-Conference selections. NAIA First Team All-American and MSC Player of the Year Sara Zampedri returns after leading UC with 415 kills and averaging 3.71 kills per set last season. Zampedri also tallied a team-high 76 service aces and finished the year with 310 digs.

MSC Setter of the Year Savanah Jolly also returns to direct one of the most efficient offenses in the country. Jolly dished out 1,208 assists and averaged 10.98 assists per set while adding 308 digs and 105 kills. She helped the Patriots finish among the top five in the NAIA in several offensive categories, including hitting percentage (.312), kills per set (14.08), and assists per set (13.08).

UC also brings back plenty of production around Zampedri and Jolly. Brynnley Bryant tallied 387 kills and 293 digs last season, while Kara Gipson recorded 248 kills and hit .482. Alana Shiery added 230 kills at a .385 clip and led the Patriots with 109 total blocks. Defensively, Davey Slaughter anchored the back row with a team-high 500 digs while averaging 4.31 digs per set.

Cumberlands is the lone Mid-South Conference team ranking in the top-25 while Cumberland University and Lindsey Wilson are both receiving votes. Northwestern (IA) sits atop the standings while Eatern Oregon is ranked second. Concordia (NEB) rounds out the top three teams heading into the 2026 season.

The Patriots will open the 2026 season on Friday, August 14, at the Keiser University Invitational in West Palm Beach, Fla. Cumberlands will face Goshen and Texas Wesleyan on the opening day of competition.
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