The Francis Marion University volleyball program will begin the 2025 campaign on Friday (Sept. 5) at the Bulldog Classic with a pair of matchups against Coker University and USC Aiken on the campus of Wingate University.

The initial two matches will kick off a 30-match schedule for the fall, including 13 home matches at the Smith University Center.

Following the season-opening tournament, the Patriots will travel to the Pacer Invitational (Sept. 12-13) for three matches at USC Aiken. FMU will compete against Carson-Newman on Friday at 3 p.m. before facing USC Aiken (1 p.m.) and Augusta University (5 p.m.) on Saturday.

After beginning Conference Carolinas play on the road at Barton (Sept. 16), the Patriots will host their home-opener on Friday, Sept. 19, versus Converse at 6 p.m.

Under the direction of ninth-year head coach Lauren Baufield-Edwards, Francis Marion 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. FMU delivered a strong finish to the 2024 campaign, winning 14 of its final 16 matches.

The Patriots were tabbed second in the recently released Conference Carolinas Women's Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Poll for 2025.

Leading the returnees is the senior duo of 6-1 middle blocker Caroline Lucas and 5-6 setter Mya Mendoza – both All-Conference Carolinas First-Team selections in 2024.

"Caroline and Mya bring on-court leadership and competitiveness with plenty of collegiate experience, but the beauty of this team is that everybody is still competing for a spot, said Baufield-Edwards". "Those two were all-conference last year, but they are getting pushed in the greatest of ways from the rest of the team."

Also back are junior 5-8 opposite-side hitter Camryn Faggart, senior 5-4 libero Katie Floyd, and senior 5-4 libero Andrea Delcher, who comprised the majority of the starting line-ups. However, the Patriots must replace recent graduates in outside hitter Kara Walker and middle blocker Kaytlin Smart.

Other returnees include outside hitters senior Katie Kemp, redshirt junior Kayla Clayworth (who missed the 2024 season with an injury), and junior Madilyn Gartner (who missed a majority of the 2024 due to injury). Also returning for FMU, sophomore middle blocker Ella Curbow and junior setter Ella Martinez.
 
The 2025 roster includes eight newcomers: four transfers (6-0 middle blocker Vanessa Blake, 5-6 libero/defensive specialist McKenna Wiseman, 5-7 outside hitter Allison Miller, and 5-10 outside hitter Lily Puritis) and four freshmen (5-11 middle blocker McKayla Stockwell, 5-8 setter Aubrey Johnson, 5-9 opposite side hitter Myla Ronchetto, and 5-8 outside hitter Skyy Ruben).

"I love being around them," expressed Baufield-Edwards regarding this year's squad. "They're fun, make practices enjoyable, and coachable. The team learns quickly, and most of all, they love to compete."

Lucas headlines the attack for the Patriots heading into her senior year with the program. The reigning Team MVP tallied 13 double-figure kill matches while ranking second in the Conference Carolinas with a .339 hitting percentage. She also ranked among the top 10 in the league with 3.35 points and 2.77 kills per set. Mendoza will direct the offense at setter following a breakout junior season with the Patriots. She registered double-digit assists in every match and ranked third in the Conference Carolinas with 9.29 assists per set. Mendoza tallied 12 assist/dig double-doubles in 2024 while finishing sixth in the league with 0.46 service aces per set. Additionally, Faggart brings experience to the offense after sitting fifth on the team with 147 kills in 25 matches with 15 starts.

Defensively, Floyd led the team with 382 digs behind 19 performances with double-digit digs, including 20-plus in five matches. Delcher also brings collegiate experience to the Patriots with 234 digs in 2024 while ranking third on the team with 30 service aces in 28 matches. Wiseman, a transfer from West Virginia State, joins the program after tallying 200 digs and 27 service aces in 31 games.

The Patriots will begin the 2025 season by playing five programs that made the NCAA Tournament in their opening nine matches. Baufield-Edwards referenced that she intentionally set a strong strength of schedule to test her team. "I want to see what we're made of. We have to be challenged and learn how to fight when our backs are against the wall. With those teams that made the tournament, I see no better way to start the season so we are prepared for conference play."

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.