CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State women's volleyball team has been selected to finish fourth in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) preseason predicted order of finish. At the same time, three Rams earned recognition on the 2026 Preseason All-CIAA Team.

Kamiyah Wilson, Holiday Ellis and Aria Caldwell were selected to the preseason team, giving Winston-Salem State more preseason All-CIAA selections than any other program in the conference.

Wilson and Ellis return after earning first-team All-CIAA honors last season. Ellis was also named to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Atlantic Region Team following a standout 2025 campaign.

Ellis led the Rams with 312 kills last season, averaging 3.32 kills per set. She also recorded 240 digs and finished the season with 352.5 points. Wilson added 167 kills while posting a team-best .363 hitting percentage and contributing 66 total blocks. Caldwell recorded 116 kills and 17 total blocks during the 2025 season.

The Rams' returning talent helped position the program fourth in this year's preseason poll and provides Winston-Salem State with a strong foundation heading into the 2026 campaign. WSSU finished the 2025 season with a 16-10 overall record and a 13-3 mark in CIAA play.

As a team, the Rams recorded 1,118 kills, 1,483 digs and 150 total blocks last season, averaging 11.9 kills, 15.8 digs and 1.6 blocks per set.

Head coach Christa Brown enters the season after being named the CIAA Coach of the Year. With three preseason All-CIAA selections returning to the lineup, including two first-team honorees from a year ago, the Rams enter the 2026 season among the conference's top preseason contenders.

Winston-Salem State opens its 2026 campaign on Friday, Aug. 28, at the Catawba/Belmont Abbey Tournament in Salisbury, N.C.

2026 PRESEASON ALL-CIAA VOLLEYBALL TEAM 

Libero 
Kellee Craig, Virginia State University
 
Middle Hitter 
Mya Hejl, Fayetteville State University 
Kamiyah Wilson, Winston-Salem State University 
Sydni Hunter, Shaw University 

Outside Hitter 
Gracie Darville, Virginia State University 
Aryanna Connell, Claflin University 
Holiday Ellis, Winston-Salem State University 

Right Side Hitter 
Da'Maia Bryant, Livingstone College 
Aria Caldwell, Winston-Salem State University 

Setter 
Giovanna Teixeira, Fayetteville State University 
Gabby Hale, Bowie State University (transferred from Bluefield State)

Utility 
Grayson Graham, Claflin University 

2026 CIAA VOLLEYBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH 

1. Fayetteville State University 
2. Shaw University 
3. Virginia State University 
4. Winston-Salem State University 
5. Bluefield State University
6. Bowie State University 
7. Livingstone College 
8. Virginia Union University 
9. Claflin University 
10. Elizabeth City State University 
11. Johnson C. Smith University 
12. Lincoln University (PA)  

For more information on Winston-Salem State Athletics and its 12 varsity sports, visit wssurams.com.