Fairmont, W.V.a - The Concord University volleyball team was tabbed to finish fourth in the Mountain East Conference South Division as the MEC Preseason Coaches' Poll was released Monday afternoon.
MEC NORTH POLL
| Rank |
Team (First-Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. |
Wheeling (6) |
56 |
| 2. |
Fairmont State (5) |
53 |
| 3. |
West Liberty |
44 |
| 4. |
Frostburg State |
30 |
| 5. |
Point Park |
21 |
| 6. |
Davis & Elkins |
12 |
MEC SOUTHÂ POLL
| Rank |
Team (First-Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. |
Charleston (6) |
57 |
| 2. |
West Virginia Wesleyan (3) |
49 |
| 3. |
West Virginia State (1) |
42 |
| 4. |
Concord (1) |
34 |
| 5. |
Glenville State |
21 |
| 6. |
Shawnee State |
13 |
2025 REVIEW:
CU volleyball had a year to remember in 2025, notching its first 20-win season since 2002. Concord's 21 wins was tied for eighth most in a single season in program history. The Mountain Lions earned marquee wins over West Virginia State and West Virginia Wesleyan in the regular season and took down West Liberty in the MEC Quarterfinal in a five-set thriller. Concord found the extra gear late in matches, going a perfect 5-0 in five-set matches in 2025.
2026 SCHEDULE:
The Mountain Lions start their season in Florida at the Rollins College Invitational August 28-29. The UC-State Crossover is the next tournament for CU, taking place September 4-5. The Concord Classic returns the following week, September 11-12. CU hosts Mercer County foe, Bluefield State, on September 16 in the final non-conference matchup of the season. The Mountain Lions open MEC play September 18 on the road against Frostburg State and finish the season at home versus Shawnee State on November 5. As an MEC South Division member, Concord faces Charleston, Glenville State, Shawnee State, West Virginia State and West Virginia Wesleyan twice. The Mountain Lions will square off against each north division member once.
THE RETURNERS:
Concord returns 99 percent of their offense, headlined by senior outside hitters
Meg Williams and
Chloe Thompson, sophomore middle hitter
Addie Adkins and junior right side
Maddie Stull. For the second straight season, Williams was named to the All-MEC First Team behind a team-leading 336 kills. Thompson was the other Mountain Lions to eclipse the 300 kill mark, with a .205 hitting percentage. Named to the All-MEC Freshman Team, Adkins dominated with 256 kills on offense and 0.88 blocks per set on the defensive side. Stull took a major jump with 216 kills. Senior middle hitter
Jasmine Anderson returns as a top-five defender in the conference with 1.13 blocks per set. Senior setter
Paige Richmond returns after 635 assists a season ago and is closing in on 2,000 assists, just 107 away. To round out the returning crew, senior libero
Allie Davis is back after an All-MEC Second Team campaign in 2025. Davis tallied 540 digs with a career-high, 33, set against King in September.
THE NEWCOMERS:
The Mountain Lions bring in one transfer, defensive specialist
Zoe Richards. Concord ushers eight new freshman into the program with half of the bunch coming from West Virginia. That includes setter
Camden Hayslett (Hurricane, W.Va./Calvary Baptist), middle hitter
Alivia Stover (Ghent, W.Va./Shady Spring), right side
Reagan Whitt (Peterstown, W.Va./James Monroe) and right side
Brynlynn Waggy (Franklin, W.Va./Pendleton County). The incoming freshman from out of state consists of middle hitter
Reese Lawrence (Whispering Pines, N.C./Union Pines), middle hitter
Mariah Moss (Cleveland, Ohio/Nordonia), defensive specialist Kandé Richardson (Tortola, British Virgin Islands/Elmore Stoutt) and defensive specialist
Sophia Rozga (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West).
