GREENVILLE, SC – Following an East Division title and boasting the best-record in the conference play, Francis Marion University was picked second overall in the 2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Poll that was released on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 20).
The Patriots totaled 215 total points and six first-place nods as voted on by the league's head coaches. Emmanuel University, the reigning Conference Carolinas Tournament champion, was selected as the preseason favorite after receiving 10 of a possible 16 first-place votes and tallying 216 points.
UNC Pembroke (181) ranked third, followed by North Greenville University (180), Converse University (174), Shorter University (148), University of Mount Olive (139), Southern Wesleyan University (122), Lees-McRae College (120), Belmont Abbey College (98), King University (89), Barton College (73), Young Harris College (67), Erskine College (48), Chowan University (34), and Ferrum College (16).
Francis Marion head coach
Lauren Baufield-Edwards enters her 10th season at the helm and returns 10 players, including seven individuals who saw significant playing time from last season's 21-10 squad, which also posted a league-best 18-2 mark in conference matches.
Leading the returnees is the 2025 Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year, senior outside hitter
Madilyn Gartner, who also earned American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Team honorable mention. She ranked 15th in NCAA Division II with 462 total kills, while totaling 219 digs, 48 blocks, and 16 service aces.
Also returning, senior outside hitter
Allison Miller, who recorded 248 kills and 340 digs in 2025. The Patriots welcome back senior defensive specialists
Kayla Clayworth and
McKenna Wiseman, both ranked top five on the team in digs last year. Sophomore setter
Aubrey Johnson returns to the lineup following a standout freshman campaign after pacing the team with 790 assists and earning league Specialist of the Week twice.
The 2026 roster includes eight newcomers: seven freshmen and one newcomer.
Francis Marion will begin its season against Valdosta State University on Friday, August 28 at the Cobra Coker Classic hosted by Coker University in nearby Hartsville, S.C. The Patriots will play a 29-match schedule this fall, including two in-season tournaments, and will host 11 contests in the Smith University Center. The home opener will be on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. against Young Harris College.
The 2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Volleyball Championship is scheduled to start with preliminary rounds on November 6 or 7 before the quarterfinals take place on November 10-11. The semifinals and final will be played at the Lumbee Guaranty Court on the campus of UNC Pembroke on November 14-15.
