RUSTON, La. – HCU women's volleyball is set to begin its 2026 fall season at the Jambalaya Jam this weekend, hosted by Louisiana Tech. The Huskies will open the season with a match against Little Rock on Friday, Aug. 28, at 3:30 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 29, HCU will battle the hosts, Louisiana Tech, at 4 p.m. before wrapping up the weekend with a match against Iona on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m.
Head coach Trent Herman added some strong new additions for the 2026 campaign
, in senior transfer setter Ensilina Savelio
from Lander, as well as freshman middle blocker
Malaya Balina-Ayers.
The Huskies finished their 2025 campaign with an overall record of 12-18, and 7-9 in conference play. Averaging 12.8 kills per set, HCU ranked sixth in the Southland Conference. Defensively, HCU averaged 15.2 digs per set.
Little Rock finished the 2025 season with a 16-15 record. The Trojans are led by first-year head coach Aubrey Becker and return second team all-OVC outside hitter Bella Cherry. Louisiana Tech, meanwhile, posted a 9-21 record last season that included a 3-1 loss to the Huskies in Ruston. Sunday's opponent, Iona, is coming off an 11-21 season a year ago and are led offensively by sophomore Julia Leonardo who led the Gaels with 3.55 kills per set as a freshman.
HCU will return to Houston for the Houston Invitational, hosted by UH, where they will open against Texas Southern on Thursday, Sep. 3 at 6:30 p.m. The following day, on Friday, Sep. 4, the Huskies will play two games: a 1 p.m. matchup against Abilene Christian, followed by a 6:30 p.m. contest versus the hosts, Houston.
