Friday, August 28
7 p.m.
Davidson College Athletics
vs
Winthrop University
Volleyball Opens 2026 Season At Home With Wildcat Classic
8/27/2026 5:52:00 PM | Volleyball
DAVIDSON, N.C. - The Davidson volleyball team opens up the 2026 regular season at home with the Wildcat Classic. The 'Cats are set to face Winthrop on Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m., followed by #19 North Carolina on Saturday, August 29 at 2 p.m., and Wofford on Sunday, August 30 at 2 p.m inside Belk Arena.
Winthrop won a share of the Big South Regular Season Title in 2025. The Tar Heels earned a preseason AVCA ranking for the first time since 2017 and are also set to become the first ranked non-conference opponent to play inside Belk Arena since Chris Willis has been the head coach at Davidson. Wofford enters the 2026 campaign as the three-time defending SoCon Tournament Champions.
"I am thrilled the way our scholar-athletes have come back from the summer," said head coach Chris Willis. "They have hit the ground running and we've practiced at an extremely high level."
The Wildcats were picked seventh in the A-10 Preseason Polls. Davidson is coming off a 2025 campaign that featured a 12-16 (7-11, A-10) record. There is a lot of optimism and excitement ahead with the 2026 squad.
"Offensively, we are at a new level," explained Coach Willis. "We are playing clean, strong, and fast."
Outside hitter and captain Elena Garcia-Guerrios earned Second Team All-A10 Honors last season and is back for her senior season. Garcia-Guerrios ranked fourth in the league with 3.60 kills per set in 2025. She also played six rotations a lot last season. Elena was second on the team in digs per set and tied for first on the team in service aces.
"Elena has always raised her game in practice and matches," said Coach Willis. "I think this year she's really understood that if she wants true success, she has to raise the level of everyone around her. She's really invested into everyone else."
This team features a lot of familiar faces on the pins and in the middle. Cayla Weisner, Ngodoo Harris, Melanie Tilles, and Mia Compas make up the returning middle blockers for the 'Cats. Weisner, a team captain, led the group with 85 total blocks last season. Compas posted a .304 hitting percentage last year, which was the fourth-best mark in the conference. Myla Young is the newest addition to the middle blockers. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native won a NYSAIS Championship twice during her high school career.
"Our middle have really dialed in on training at a deeper level, not just physically, but their eye work, and their mentality out there," explained Coach Willis.
In addition to Elena's production on the outside, the 'Cats have a plethora of options on the pins. Ellie Ocampo, Meile Songaila, and Ariyana Johnson are back. Ocampo finished last season strong with an A-10 Rookie of the Week award. The Houston, Texas native recorded a season-high 13 kills (.409 hit %) in a match against Saint Louis on November 14, 2025. Freshman Abbie Henson enters her first season as an outside hitter with the team. Angelique "Geli" St. Laurent, also a freshman, fills a big role as an opposite/right side hitter.
The back row features a lot of depth, especially at the Libero position with Brooke Briscoe, Adlee Grissett, and Peyton Garrick.
"I think we could have three of the top Liberos in the conference this year", said Coach Willis. "It has been awesome to see them push each other. They all want the Libero jersey."
Finally, the 'Cats are going to roll out both a 6-2 and a 5-1 offense throughout the year. Davidson has three setters on its roster with Kinsey Smith, Ylame Dsamou, and Kate Whiteley. Smith led the team with 6.43 assists per set last year. Dsamou was second on the team with 4.23 assists per set in 2025.
"I feel great about our setter position," said Coach Willis. "Our ball control is much improved this year."
The "Cats will play 11 non-conference matches and then open up the Atlantic 10 season on Friday, September 25 at preseason favorites Dayton.
Winthrop won a share of the Big South Regular Season Title in 2025. The Tar Heels earned a preseason AVCA ranking for the first time since 2017 and are also set to become the first ranked non-conference opponent to play inside Belk Arena since Chris Willis has been the head coach at Davidson. Wofford enters the 2026 campaign as the three-time defending SoCon Tournament Champions.
"I am thrilled the way our scholar-athletes have come back from the summer," said head coach Chris Willis. "They have hit the ground running and we've practiced at an extremely high level."
The Wildcats were picked seventh in the A-10 Preseason Polls. Davidson is coming off a 2025 campaign that featured a 12-16 (7-11, A-10) record. There is a lot of optimism and excitement ahead with the 2026 squad.
"Offensively, we are at a new level," explained Coach Willis. "We are playing clean, strong, and fast."
Outside hitter and captain Elena Garcia-Guerrios earned Second Team All-A10 Honors last season and is back for her senior season. Garcia-Guerrios ranked fourth in the league with 3.60 kills per set in 2025. She also played six rotations a lot last season. Elena was second on the team in digs per set and tied for first on the team in service aces.
"Elena has always raised her game in practice and matches," said Coach Willis. "I think this year she's really understood that if she wants true success, she has to raise the level of everyone around her. She's really invested into everyone else."
This team features a lot of familiar faces on the pins and in the middle. Cayla Weisner, Ngodoo Harris, Melanie Tilles, and Mia Compas make up the returning middle blockers for the 'Cats. Weisner, a team captain, led the group with 85 total blocks last season. Compas posted a .304 hitting percentage last year, which was the fourth-best mark in the conference. Myla Young is the newest addition to the middle blockers. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native won a NYSAIS Championship twice during her high school career.
"Our middle have really dialed in on training at a deeper level, not just physically, but their eye work, and their mentality out there," explained Coach Willis.
In addition to Elena's production on the outside, the 'Cats have a plethora of options on the pins. Ellie Ocampo, Meile Songaila, and Ariyana Johnson are back. Ocampo finished last season strong with an A-10 Rookie of the Week award. The Houston, Texas native recorded a season-high 13 kills (.409 hit %) in a match against Saint Louis on November 14, 2025. Freshman Abbie Henson enters her first season as an outside hitter with the team. Angelique "Geli" St. Laurent, also a freshman, fills a big role as an opposite/right side hitter.
The back row features a lot of depth, especially at the Libero position with Brooke Briscoe, Adlee Grissett, and Peyton Garrick.
"I think we could have three of the top Liberos in the conference this year", said Coach Willis. "It has been awesome to see them push each other. They all want the Libero jersey."
Finally, the 'Cats are going to roll out both a 6-2 and a 5-1 offense throughout the year. Davidson has three setters on its roster with Kinsey Smith, Ylame Dsamou, and Kate Whiteley. Smith led the team with 6.43 assists per set last year. Dsamou was second on the team with 4.23 assists per set in 2025.
"I feel great about our setter position," said Coach Willis. "Our ball control is much improved this year."
The "Cats will play 11 non-conference matches and then open up the Atlantic 10 season on Friday, September 25 at preseason favorites Dayton.
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