Volleyball Set To Begin New Season
7/29/2026 5:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CONWAY, S.C. – Coastal Carolina officially opens preseason practice Thursday, July 30, as the Chanticleers begin preparations for the 2026 season.
Six players return from last year's squad: All-Sun Belt middle blocker Anna Rita, setter Bella Loeswick, outside hitter Anzley Rinard, middle blocker Kayla Channell, libero Julia Rivera and opposite hitter Elin Andersson. Joining the six returners are eight newcomers — four transfers and four freshmen.
In this new world of college athletics, losing pieces is going to be part of everybody's program, head coach Steve Loeswick said. The teams that can adjust and put that group together the quickest will have an opportunity to be successful.
Six players return from last year's squad: All-Sun Belt middle blocker Anna Rita, setter Bella Loeswick, outside hitter Anzley Rinard, middle blocker Kayla Channell, libero Julia Rivera and opposite hitter Elin Andersson. Joining the six returners are eight newcomers — four transfers and four freshmen.
In this new world of college athletics, losing pieces is going to be part of everybody's program, head coach Steve Loeswick said. The teams that can adjust and put that group together the quickest will have an opportunity to be successful.
The challenge is replacing a veteran core that accounted for much of the team's production in 2025. Coastal lost its top three statistical leaders in kills, assists and digs .
The Chanticleers added four transfers in setter Kaylee Musick (FIU), right-side hitter Natalie Hughes (San Diego State), middle blocker Hatteras Welker (Eastern Michigan) and libero Jonna Spohn (Maryland). Coastal also welcomes freshmen Abby Bucey, Isabele Filardo, Talia Johnson and Viara Parapunova.
We brought in a nice transfer group, Loeswick said. Getting them used to how we play, our defensive schemes, our offensive schemes and getting them used to playing with new players was important. There were also some metrics that, after reviewing last season, we thought we could improve upon, and we attacked some of those.
We've got some new pieces I haven't seen live yet, Loeswick said. They're obviously very talented players, but they're going to need time with the group to feel comfortable with the tempo and with each other.
The opening days of preseason camp will focus on establishing the standards the Chanticleers will carry throughout the season.
We're going to create opportunities for them to compete and have fun, but also show them exactly where our standards are, Loeswick said. We want them to understand what Chanticleer volleyball is about and begin establishing that identity.
Coastal will host High Point in an exhibition match on Aug. 15 before traveling to Winthrop for a second exhibition match on Aug. 22. The Chanticleers open the 2026 regular season at home against Duke on Aug. 28.
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