WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State University women's volleyball team will open its 2026 season at the Catawba/Belmont Abbey Tournament, hosted by Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina, on Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29.

The Rams will face Erskine College at 3 p.m. and Belmont Abbey College at 5 p.m. on Friday, then concluding the tournament against Davis & Elkins College at 2 p.m., on Saturday.

When: Friday, Aug. 28 and Saturday, Aug. 29
Where: Goodman Arena (Salisbury, North Carolina)
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2026 Winston-Salem State Women's Volleyball
The Rams head into the weekend ready to launch their 2026 campaign with a roster built around returning experience and proven production. After finishing 16-10 overall and 13-3 in CIAA play in 2025, WSSU returns a strong core from last season's squad as the Rams look to build on their success and compete among the conference's top teams.

Leading the way for the Rams are preseason All-CIAA selections Kamiyah Wilson, Holiday Ellis and Aria Caldwell, giving Winston-Salem State three returning players recognized among the conference's top preseason performers. Wilson and Ellis return after earning first-team All-CIAA honors last season, while Ellis also earned D2CCA All-Atlantic Region honors following a standout 2025 campaign.

Head coach Christa Brown, who was named the 2025 CIAA Coach of the Year, enters the season with a veteran group capable of making an impact early. With three Preseason All-CIAA selections returning, including two first-team honorees from a year ago, the Rams enter the 2026 campaign picked to finish fourth in the CIAA preseason poll and looking to make an immediate statement in the season opener.

Erskine College
The Flying Fleet finished 8-20 overall and 6-14 in conference play last season under seventh-year head coach Kelly Burdeau. Erskine returns several key contributors, including Becca Yohe, who led the team with 314 kills and averaged 2.99 kills per set, and Ali Angell, who added 247 kills at 2.52 kills per set. Ella Dietrich also returned after recording 192 kills and posting a .254 hitting percentage last season.

Belmont Abbey College
The Crusaders finished 11-17 overall and 7-13 in conference play last season under 10th-year head coach Toni Fox. Belmont Abbey returns an experienced offensive group, led by Renata Bolado, who recorded 306 kills and averaged 2.86 kills per set in 2025. Lola Sultenfuss added 245 kills, while Katie Brookins and Chloe Lowder recorded 224 and 235 kills, respectively. Lowder also finished with a team-best 99 total blocks.

Davis & Elkins College
The Senators finished 0-26 overall and 0-16 in conference play last season under third-year head coach Julie Danner. Davis & Elkins was led offensively by Melisa Ozsar, who recorded 126 kills and averaged 1.94 kills per set, while Kaylee Vanjo added 105 kills and 1.52 kills per set. Christine Rangel contributed 93 kills, while Neve Norris led the team defensively with 246 digs and averaged 3.08 digs per set.

Up Next
The Rams will hit the road again the following weekend to compete in the King Classic, Thursday, Sept. 3, through Friday, Sept. 4, hosted by King University in Bristol, Tennessee.

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