Mercer Volleyball Opens Season at Troy Invitational

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Volleyball will open the 2026 season at the Troy Invitational on Aug. 28-30, marking head coach Steve Benson's second season at the helm.

Mercer will take on the Troy Trojans at 7 p.m. ET on Aug. 28. Mercer returns to the court on Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. ET to face the Alabama State Hornets before finishing the weekend on Aug. 30 against the North Alabama Lions at 12 p.m. ET in Trojan Arena.

Mercer Bears

The Bears look to build off Benson's first year, which saw the team finish with an overall record of 10-20 and a 6-10 record in the SoCon. Mercer welcomes seven newcomers this year, while returning junior libero Aubri Martin, who finished fourth in the conference with 510 digs (4.81/set) and tied for tenth in the conference with 33 service aces (0.31/set). The orange and black will also welcome back Sammi Bergjans, who finished second in the SoCon with 43 service aces (0.42/set) and ninth with 539 assists (5.28/set). The Missouri native totaled six double-doubles and recorded a career-high 32 assists and 16 digs at Western Carolina on Nov. 15.

Troy Trojans

Troy was picked to finish in a tie for fourth in the Sun Belt Conference West Division this season after finishing 2025 with a 10-16 record, 7-9 in conference. The Trojans welcome four newcomers and 11 returners, including Madison Marx, who led the team with 535 assists (5.30/set) and was tied for third with 28 service aces (0.28/set). The Trojans also welcomed back Kalina Calvillo, who ranked second on the team in kills last season with 243 (2.41/set) and third in blocks with 38 (0.38/set).

Alabama State Hornets

Alabama State was predicted to finish fifth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, earning one first-place vote after finishing the 2025 season in third place with a 14-16 overall record and a 12-4 conference record. The Hornets welcome back three players, including the SWAC Preseason Setter of the Year, Kamrynn Clay. Last season, Clay led the team with 818 assists (7.17/set) while adding 27 service aces, 187 digs, and 13 blocks. She earned SWAC Postseason Setter of the Year and All-SWAC First Team honors in 2025. Alabama State also welcomes back Kaylen Hines, who was selected to the Preseason All-SWAC First Team as a middle blocker. Hines finished the 2025 season with 232 kills (2.23/set) and 86 blocks (0.83/set), which ranked fifth in the conference. The Hornets' returning players have set a high bar for the 15 newcomers, who will be fighting to earn a spot in the starting lineup this season.

North Alabama Lions

North Alabama was predicted to finish fourth in the United Athletic Conference after finishing the 2025 season in seventh place with a 14-16 record (8-8 ASUN). The Lions welcome five newcomers, including four freshmen, while returning 11. Reese Ricketts was one of two North Alabama scholar-athletes who were named to the Preseason All-UAC Team. Last season, she finished second on the team with 380 kills (3.33/set), third with 26 service aces (0.28/set), and third with 223 digs (1.96/set). She earned a Third-Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference selection in 2025 and an ASUN Player of the Week on Sept. 29. The Lions' other Preseason All-UAC Team selection was Kinslee McGowan, who is coming off a historic 2025 season, which saw her set program records for total assists (1,164) and assists per set (9.95). She recorded a career-high 60 assists on Oct. 12 against FGCU while recording two additional 50+ assist performances. Additionally, she tallied 10 double-doubles across the 2025 season in assists and digs.