GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport University women's volleyball team is set to open its 2026 campaign this weekend, traveling to Findlay, Ohio, to compete in the Findlay Classic. The Panthers will play three matches over the opening weekend, taking on Ashland, host Findlay and California (Pa.).

Davenport enters the new season with several key pieces returning to the lineup, including a pair of All-GLIAC performers in Abby Alan and Hayley Carr. The Panthers were selected to finish sixth in the 2026 GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving 52 points.

Top Returners
Leading the group of returners is senior outside hitter Alan (Burlington, Wis.), who enters her final season in a Davenport uniform after earning First Team All-GLIAC honors in 2025. Alan paced the Panther offense with a team-high 312 kills while averaging 3.22 kills per set. She also contributed 25 service aces, 104 digs and 26 total blocks during her junior campaign.

Carr (Hudsonville, Mich.) returns for her junior season after earning Second Team All-GLIAC honors a season ago. Serving as the Panthers' primary libero, Carr played in all 101 sets and 28 matches while posting career highs in nearly every statistical category. She led DU with 450 digs and averaged 4.46 digs per set while adding 88 assists and 32 service aces. Carr recorded double-digit digs in 26 of Davenport's 28 matches.

Sophomore setter Madison Berry (Evergreen Park, Ill.) also returns after making an immediate impact during her freshman campaign. Berry appeared in 96 sets across 28 matches and directed the Panther offense with a team-high 902 assists, averaging 9.40 assists per set. Her freshman campaign was highlighted by earning GLIAC Setter of the Week honors for the week of Sept. 22.

Newcomers
Four new faces join the Panthers' 17-player roster for the 2026 season, with all four entering their first year of collegiate volleyball.

The freshman class consists of defensive specialist Jayce Keller (Oconomowoc, Wis.), middle blocker Clare Beazley (Clinton, Mich.), setter Keira Dommer (New Haven, Ind.) and outside hitter Savanah Weathers (Chicago, Ill.).

Schedule Breakdown
Davenport is slated to play 24 matches during the 2026 regular season, beginning with three contests at the Findlay Classic.

Following the season-opening weekend, DU will return to Grand Rapids for its first home action of the season, hosting the annual Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic. The Panthers will play four matches during the tournament at the DU Student Center.

Davenport will then turn its attention to GLIAC play, with the conference portion of the schedule set to begin on Friday, Sept. 11.

Scouting the Opponents
Ashland
About the Eagles

• Finished the 2025 season with a 13-14 overall record.
• Junior outside hitter Sara Krizsa returns after tying for the team lead with 208 kills a season ago.
• Sophomore outside hitter/defensive specialist Jenna Shedden also returns after tying for the team lead with 208 kills as a freshman, appearing in 72 sets across 24 matches.
• Head coach Alicia Wood enters her second year with the program, but her first full season at the helm of the Eagles.
• Ashland was picked to finish second in the East Division of the 2026 G-MAC Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving five first-place votes.

Findlay
About the Oilers

• Finished the 2025 season with a 24-6 overall record and a 13-2 mark in G-MAC play. The Oilers advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament, defeating Wayne State in the opening round before falling to Indianapolis.
• Findlay will have a different look in 2026 after graduating several of its top performers, including AVCA Third Team All-Americans Emma White and Makenna Belcher. White, a setter, was also named the 2025 G-MAC Player of the Year, while Belcher led the Oilers with 428 kills.
• Head coach Wick Colchagoff enters his 33rd season at the helm of the program with a career record of 656-377.
• The Oilers were selected second in the North Division of the 2026 G-MAC Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving six first-place votes.

California (Pa.)
About the Vulcans

• Finished the 2025 season with a 19-11 overall record and a 6-8 mark in PSAC West play.
• Sophomore Olivia Weiseman returns after leading the Vulcans with 356 kills while adding 402 digs, 87 assists, 43 blocks and 25 service aces as a freshman. Weiseman was named the PSAC West Freshman of the Year and AVCA Atlantic Region Freshman of the Year while earning AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and First Team All-PSAC West honors.
• Senior Sarah Stephenson also returns after finishing second on the team with 313 kills while adding 59 blocks in 2025. Stephenson earned Second Team All-PSAC West honors following her junior campaign.
• The Vulcans were selected fifth in the PSAC West Preseason Poll entering the 2026 season.
• Head coach Audrey Emerich enters her third season at the helm of the program.

2026 GLIAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
 

1 Ferris State			99 (9)
2 Grand Valley State			90 (2)
3 Wayne State			78
4 Northern Michigan			73
5 Parkside			69
6 Davenport			52
7 Michigan Tech			49
8 Purdue Northwest			34
9 Saginaw Valley State			32
10 Lake Superior State			16
11 Roosevelt			13

Live Coverage
Friday, August 28 vs. Ashland (1:30 PM) -  Live Stats
Friday, August 28 vs. Findlay (7:30 PM) - Live Stats
Saturday, August 29 vs. California (Pa.) (10 AM) - Live Stats