Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina volleyball began this year's preseason with its opening practice on Thursday afternoon as the Catamounts pulled the curtain back on their 2026 season for the first time inside the Ramsey Center.

After holding preseason photo day on Wednesday, WCU's 17 student-athletes who make up the 2026 squad opened practice Thursday. The team spent the majority of the session getting into the flow of play, as the roster features seven newcomers, including five freshmen making their collegiate debuts, along with a pair of transfers.

Western Carolina continues to rev up its preparation ahead of its lone exhibition match in 2026, as the Catamounts welcome NCAA D-II foe Anderson (S.C.) to Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center on Friday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m.

Western Carolina volleyball returns nine letterwinners from the 2025 squad, including the reigning Setter of the Year, Katie Boney (1,066 assists, 5 SoCon Setter of the Week selections) and the defending Freshman of the Year, Tatum Sharp (team-high 252 kills, .301 hitting pct., 74 blocks). Sharp and Boney are joined by Samantha Kranzler (243 kills, seven double-doubles) and Zoe Zudans (199 kills). Defensively, the Catamounts are led by liberos Eda Yalçinkaya (397 digs) and Halley Tang (302 digs).
 
WCU's 2026 roster includes five freshmen, six sophomores, three juniors, and three seniors apiece.

Following its exhibition on Aug. 21, Western Carolina begins the 2026 regular season on Friday, Aug. 28 at the Big Orange Bash hosted by Clemson. The Catamounts will square off with Butler, Charleston Southern, and the host Tigers over the three-day tournament. All told, 11 of the squad's first 13 games will be played away from the friendly confines of Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center, as the home opener is slated for Sept. 8 with an in-state battle against Gardner-Webb slated for 6 p.m.

Keep track of everything related to Catamount volleyball and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/catamountsports), Instagram (@wcu_catamounts, @catamountvb), and Twitter (@catamounts, @catamountvb).