FIRST SERVE
The 2026 version of the Arkansas Tech volleyball team officially opens its season this weekend at the Washburn Invitational, hosted by Washburn. In their first weekend of regular season action, the Golden Suns will play four matches total with two on Friday, August 28 and two and on Saturday, August 29. 

Friday's matches will see the Golden Suns take on Westminster and host Washburn. The Westminster match is scheduled for a 9:00 a.m. start while the Washburn match is slated for a 2 p.m. start.  

On day two of the invitational, the Golden Suns will take on Oklahoma Christian at 11:30 a.m. and then play William Jewell at 4:30 p.m. later that day. 

The entirety of the classic will have live stats and live video for all matches. Video coverage is pay-per-view through the MIAA Network. Links for stats and video are available at www.ArkansasTechSports.com/coverage  

TECH(NICALLY) SPEAKING  

Excitement is high surrounding the 2026 Golden Suns volleyball team as they will begin the second year under head coach Hannah Wuest. In her first season at the helm after being the top assistant at national powerhouse Ferris State the five years prior, Wuest guided the Golden Suns to a 15-12 overall record and an 11-5 mark in conference play to finish in a tie for fourth in the league standings. 

The overall and conference win totals were the most for the program since 2021. 

This year, the Golden Suns are picked to finish fifth in the GAC according to the conference preseason coaches' poll. 

Last season also saw a trio of Golden Suns be named all-conference in Erika Hernandez (Second Team), Henley Hooks (First Team) and Savannah Meyer (Second Team). Those three were the top-three point scorers for the Golden Suns last season with each having over 250 points scored and at least 225 kills. 

Hooks and Meyer's all-conference campaigns came in their junior seasons while Hernandez's was in her freshman season, netting her GAC Newcomer of the Year honors. Hooks and Meyers are also closing in on the 1,000 career kill milestone. Hooks is 224 kills shy while Meyers is 117 away.  

Alongside those three, the Golden Suns return starting libero Samantha Wojtowicz and their second-leading blocker, Carson Thiebaud. Wojtowicz averaged 4.85 digs per set and totaled 461. Thiebaud totaled 58.0 blocks. 

In addition to their returner total of 13, the Golden Suns bolstered their roster with six newcomers.  

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS 

Westminster 

Last season, the Griffins finished with a 17-10 overall record and were 9-5 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), placing sixth in the final regular season standings. The Griffins would qualify for the RMAC Tournament, but fell 3-1 to Colorado State-Pueblo in the quarterfinals.  

This year, the Griffins have been picked ninth in the RMAC Preseason Coaches Poll and will be under the leadership of first-year head coach Lindsey Calvin after she was named the program's head coach in February following the retirement of Susan Dulaney. Prior to taking over at Westminster, Calvin got a year of familiarity under her belt as she served as a volunteer assistant for the Griffins in 2025. 

Calvin also has previous coaching experience at Seattle Pacific University and Saint Mary's College of California. 

The Griffins have 10 returners this year and welcome in seven newcomers. 

Washburn 

Invitation hosts, Washburn finished the 2025 season 27-5 overall and 13-3 in the MIAA. The Ichabods were MIAA regular season co-champions along with Nebraska Kearney and Missouri Western and played for the MIAA Tournament Championship against Kearney but lost 3-0. Washburn would still advance to the NCAA Central Region Tournament and advanced to the semifinals before losing to Concordia-St. Paul, 3-0.  

The Ichabods ended the 2025 season nationally-ranked No. 8 and enter the 2026 season with that same ranking according to the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top-25 poll. Washburn is also picked to finish in tie for first in the MIAA this year according to the league's head coaches in their preseason poll. The Ichabods tied atop the poll with Nebraska Kearney, but Washburn garnered the most first-place votes with five. 

Washburn is led by Chris Herron, who is entering his 25th year at Washburn and his 28th overall after spending three seasons at Benedictine prior. In his time at Washburn, Herron is 664-159 and has won 20 or more matches 21 times and 30 or more 10 times. Overall, Herron's career record is 739-178. 

The Ichabods return a veteran roster that includes 13 returners highlighted by 2025 All-MIAA selections Keilah Rivers, Taylor Rottinghaus and Brynne Topolski. Washburn is also bolstered by eight newcomers with six coming from the prep ranks and two as transfers. 

Oklahoma Christian 

Last season, the Eagles finished with a 19-10 overall record and were 11-6 in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) to finish seventh in the conference standings. The Eagles would lose in the first round of the LSC Tournament, falling to No. 2-seed, Lubbock Christian, 3-2. 

This year, Oklahoma Christian is picked to finish seventh in the 18-team LSC according to the preseason coaches poll. In that same poll, the Eagles had three players named to the LSC Players to Watch list. On that list were junior outside hitter, Chole Jones, sophomore defensive specialist, Macey Nehring and sophomore setter, Summer van Meerveld.  

The Eagles are led by Asa Freeman, who enters his fourth season at the helm of Oklahoma Christian. Freeman currently holds a 47-31 record and has posted consecutive winning seasons that have seen the Eagles qualify for the LSC Tournament.  

William Jewell 

Last season, the Cardinals finished with a 4-23 overall record and were 0-13 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) to finish 14th in the conference standings.  

This year, the Cardinals have been picked 14th in the GLVC Preseason Coaches Poll and will be under the leadership of second-year head coach Joe Adams. Prior to taking over at William Jewell, Adams spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach at Coe College in Iowa. 

The Cardinals have 11 returners this year and welcome in five newcomers.