Francis Marion University was selected second overall in the 2025 Conference Carolinas Women's Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Poll that was released on Tuesday (Aug. 26).

The Patriots tallied 192 total points and three first-place nods as voted on by the league's head coaches. Emmanuel University was voted the preseason favorite in the Conference Carolinas after receiving nine of a possible 15 first-place votes and totaling 215 points. Defending league tournament champion Converse University rounded out the top three with a trio of first-place nods and 190 points.

University of Mount Olive (186) ranked fourth, followed by North Greenville University (177), UNC Pembroke (175), Shorter University (136), King University (117), Southern Wesleyan University (105), Young Harris College (94), Belmont Abbey College (81), Barton College (76), Lees-McRae College (69), Chowan University (48), Erskine College (36), and Ferrum College (23).

Francis Marion head coach Lauren Baufield-Edwards returns 10 players, including three starters and the libero, from last season's 16-13 squad that placed second in the final East Division standings. The Patriots delivered a strong finish to the 2024 campaign after winning 14 of their final 16 matches.

Leading the returnees is the senior tandem of 6-1 middle blocker Caroline Lucas and 5-6 setter Mya Mendoza – both All-Conference Carolinas First-Team selections in 2024. Also back are junior 5-8 opposite-side hitter Camryn Faggart and senior 5-4 libero Katie Floyd.

The 2025 roster includes eight newcomers: four transfers and four freshmen.

Francis Marion will begin its season against Coker University on Friday, Sept. 5 at the Bulldog Classic hosted by Wingate. The Patriots will play a 30-match schedule this fall, including two in-season tournaments, and will host 13 matches in the Smith University Center. The home opener will be Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. against Converse University.

The 2025 Conference Carolinas Women's Volleyball Championship is scheduled to start with preliminary rounds on November 15 or 16 before the quarterfinals, semifinals and final will be competed at the Student Center Complex on the campus of King University in Bristol, Tennessee on November 21-23.