Anna Rita Named Preseason All-Sun Belt
8/19/2026 1:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
NEW ORLEANS – Coastal Carolina senior Anna Rita was named to the Sun Belt's 2026 Preseason Volleyball All-Conference Team, the league announced Wednesday. She is the lone Chanticleer selected to the team.
A middle blocker from Latvia, Rita earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors during her first season at Coastal after transferring from Austin Peay. She ranked fourth in the conference with 143 total blocks and second with 30 solo blocks and 1.39 blocks per set.
Rita's 143 blocks were the fifth-most in a single season in program history and the third-most during the rally-scoring era, which began in 2008. Her 113 block assists made her one of nine players in school history to record more than 100 in a season, while her 1.39 blocks per set established a program record for the rally-scoring era.
The Sun Belt also announced its preseason coaches' poll, with Coastal Carolina picked to finish third in the East Division behind preseason favorite James Madison and Georgia Southern. App State was selected fourth, followed by Marshall, Georgia State and Old Dominion. Arkansas State was picked to win the West Division.
Following Saturday's exhibition match at Winthrop, the Chanticleers will open the regular season against Duke on Friday, Aug. 28, inside the HTC Center. Coastal will then host Queens on Sunday, Aug. 30, as part of the Coastal Carolina Invitational.
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Coastal Carolina app on your mobile device. Follow @CoastalVBall on Instagram and X, and Facebook, and subscribe to CCU Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Chants.
2026 Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll
East Division
1. James Madison (12) - 95
2. Georgia Southern (2) - 84
3. Coastal Carolina - 68
4. App State - 52
5. Marshall - 44
6. Georgia State - 29
7. Old Dominion - 20
West Division
1. Arkansas State (12) - 95
2. South Alabama (1) - 79
3. Southern Miss (1) - 64
T4. Louisiana - 56
T4. Troy - 56
6. Louisiana Tech - 24
7. ULM - 18
(Parentheses indicate first-place votes)
A middle blocker from Latvia, Rita earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors during her first season at Coastal after transferring from Austin Peay. She ranked fourth in the conference with 143 total blocks and second with 30 solo blocks and 1.39 blocks per set.
Rita's 143 blocks were the fifth-most in a single season in program history and the third-most during the rally-scoring era, which began in 2008. Her 113 block assists made her one of nine players in school history to record more than 100 in a season, while her 1.39 blocks per set established a program record for the rally-scoring era.
The Sun Belt also announced its preseason coaches' poll, with Coastal Carolina picked to finish third in the East Division behind preseason favorite James Madison and Georgia Southern. App State was selected fourth, followed by Marshall, Georgia State and Old Dominion. Arkansas State was picked to win the West Division.
Following Saturday's exhibition match at Winthrop, the Chanticleers will open the regular season against Duke on Friday, Aug. 28, inside the HTC Center. Coastal will then host Queens on Sunday, Aug. 30, as part of the Coastal Carolina Invitational.
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Coastal Carolina app on your mobile device. Follow @CoastalVBall on Instagram and X, and Facebook, and subscribe to CCU Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Chants.
2026 Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll
East Division
1. James Madison (12) - 95
2. Georgia Southern (2) - 84
3. Coastal Carolina - 68
4. App State - 52
5. Marshall - 44
6. Georgia State - 29
7. Old Dominion - 20
West Division
1. Arkansas State (12) - 95
2. South Alabama (1) - 79
3. Southern Miss (1) - 64
T4. Louisiana - 56
T4. Troy - 56
6. Louisiana Tech - 24
7. ULM - 18
(Parentheses indicate first-place votes)
2026 Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Preseason Awards
Preseason Player of the Year: Kennedy Louisell, James Madison
Preseason Libero of the Year: Maddie Cugino, Georgia Southern
Preseason Setter of the Year: Erin Madigan, Arkansas State
Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
Addison Collum, Arkansas State (Rightside Hitter)
Erin Madigan, Arkansas State (Setter)
Kaitlin Whitlock, Arkansas State (Outside Hitter)
Anna Rita, Coastal Carolina (Middle Blocker)
Reagan Barth, Georgia Southern(Outside Hitter)
Maddie Cugino, Georgia Southern (Libero)
Kennedy Louisell, James Madison (Outside Hitter)
Ayen Nhial, James Madison (Middle Blocker)
Emma Barnett, Marshall (Outside Hitter)
Cambria Gaier, South Alabama (Outside Hitter)
Sadie McAda, Southern Miss (Outside Hitter)
Sunni Sheppard, Southern Miss (Libero)
Preseason Player of the Year: Kennedy Louisell, James Madison
Preseason Libero of the Year: Maddie Cugino, Georgia Southern
Preseason Setter of the Year: Erin Madigan, Arkansas State
Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
Addison Collum, Arkansas State (Rightside Hitter)
Erin Madigan, Arkansas State (Setter)
Kaitlin Whitlock, Arkansas State (Outside Hitter)
Anna Rita, Coastal Carolina (Middle Blocker)
Reagan Barth, Georgia Southern(Outside Hitter)
Maddie Cugino, Georgia Southern (Libero)
Kennedy Louisell, James Madison (Outside Hitter)
Ayen Nhial, James Madison (Middle Blocker)
Emma Barnett, Marshall (Outside Hitter)
Cambria Gaier, South Alabama (Outside Hitter)
Sadie McAda, Southern Miss (Outside Hitter)
Sunni Sheppard, Southern Miss (Libero)
Players Mentioned
MB
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