The 2026 volleyball season is underway. There are a large number of freshmen who will start their careers this week. It will also be the beginning of the senior seasons for various members of Cedar Ridge’s 2021 3A State Championship team.
Cameron Lloyd: Last season, Lloyd was a three-time defensive player of the week in the Patriot League playing for Lehigh University. Lloyd was the first player in Cedar Ridge history to surpass 500 career kills. Last season, Lloyd played in all 26 matches for the Bison and she switched to libero. She led the team with 424 digs, which was second in the Patriot League. She also led the team with 30 aces. Bucknell finished 12-14 overall, 9-7 in the Patriot League last year. The Bison will open the season against Ohio in the Marshall Tournament in Huntington, WV on Friday to open a doubleheader. Later that day, Bucknell will face Marshall. On Saturday, they will face Niagara.
Cameron Lanier: Entering her senior year at Elon, Lanier started 22 matches in 2025. She finished the season with 240 points, registering 211 kills and 45 blocks. She was second on the team in kills. Lanier had a season-high 18 kills in a 3-2 win over UNC Wilmington. Lanier was a middle blocker for Cedar Ridge’s state title team. The Phoenix will start the season in the Quest for the Crown event at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA against St. John’s on Friday.
Anaya Carter: The Division II UNC Pembroke Braves are picked to finish . Last year, Carter played in 23 matches and had ten aces. UNC Pembroke will start the season in Florida where Carter will take on a familiar face in the season-opener on Friday. In 2025, UNC Pembroke went 17-15 overall, 13-7 in Conference Carolinas.
Graylinn Serge: Starting her junior season at UNC Greensboro, Serge appeared in 23 matches in 2025. She was fifth on the team with 147 digs. Serge was named to the Southern Conference Academic All-Conference team. The Spartans start the season at South Carolina at the Gamecock Classic in the Carolina Volleyball Center on Friday. The Spartans will also face Northeastern on Saturday in Columbia, SC.
Ava Wilkerson: Last winter, Wilkerson enrolled early as a freshman at the University of Houston. She will make her debut in the LSU Tournament against Incarnate Word in Baton Rogue, LA on Friday. The Cougars will also face Wake Forest on Saturday.
Aubrey Jordan: After graduating with over 1,000 kills in her Orange career, Jordan will start her career at Gardner-Webb University this Friday. The Runnin’ Bulldogs will face Lehigh to open the Lehigh Tournament in Bethlehem, PA on Friday. Gardner-Webb will also face Morgan State and Cleveland State on Saturday.
Katie Silcott: After graduating from Orange, Silcott will start her career at Division II Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida. The Marlins will face UNC Pembroke to start the Shark Invitational in Fort Lauderdale, FL on Friday in the opening match of a doubleheader. The Sailfish are picked to finish third in the Sunshine State Conference. Silcott also enrolled early.
Mia Marty: The setter for the Cedar Ridge Red Wolves the past two seasons, Marty will make her debut with Division II University of Wingate this week. Last year, Marty was named All-Big 7 Conference as Cedar Ridge won the Big 7 Conference championship. She also played softball. The Bulldogs will kick off the season against Lee College in the Lander Invitational in Greenwood, SC on Friday. They will also face the host team, Lander, in the latter end of a doubleheader on Friday.
Fiona Cunningham: The woman who coached the 2021 Cedar Ridge volleyball team to the 3A State Championship will start her second season as head coach at Le Moyne College this week. Cunningham will lead the Dolphins against UNC Wilmington in the Seahawk Classic in Wilmington on Friday. The Citadel and Kennesaw State will also be in the event. Cunningham was hired as Le Moyne head coach after serving as an assistant at North Carolina Central and East Carolina.
Next week, we’ll have a preview of the various local Division III players who will start their seasons next week.
