Volleyball 2026 Season Preview

ORLANDO - The UCF volleyball team returns to the court next week, marking the beginning of year two under head coach Matt Botsford, who immediately transformed the Knights after taking charge over 18 months ago.

In 2025, the Black and Gold nearly doubled their win total and saw the second-most year-over-year RPI growth in the Power Four, jumping from 204 to 63. Not only did the Knights tally a pair of top-25 wins, a mix of experience and youth showcased what fans can expect from this program for years to come.

This time around, the squad returns that balanced mix from a year ago, along with bringing in seven newcomers to bolster all areas of the floor.

RETURNERS

A rarity in the modern landscape of college athletics, setter Abby Schomers and outside hitter Avah Armour return for their fourth season together in their respective roles, as last season the tandem, who boasted an abundance of Big 12 experience, were centerpieces throughout.

Armour now enters her senior season as a reigning AVCA All-American, having been tabbed an honorable mention, alongside numerous other conference and regional honors, after pacing UCF with a dominant 4.35 kills per set. Her 513 points shouldered plenty of the offensive load in 2025, ranking among the top players in the conference in multiple categories.

Orlando native Fallon Stewart returns alongside sophomore Nygeria Hart, who looks to make a big jump after her freshman season. The Knights also saw plenty of offensive contribution from middles Ella Chapman and Sasha Cohen, who each maintained UCF’s strength at the net in 2026.

Cohen, who arrived in Orlando with Armour in 2023, featured in every match last season, tallying a career-best 1.84 kills per set. Chapman on the other hand, ranked second in the Big 12 with an efficient .363 hitting percentage in conference contests.

On the back row, Alexa Haley made an instant impact last season after taking over starting libero duties prior to Big 12 play, eventually garnering a spot on the Rookie Team after averaging 3.26 digs per set. She returns along with Sarah Mendoza and Reese Moore, who provide excellent depth at the position and each played a role throughout their freshmen seasons.

Shadowing the experiences of Schomers in 2025, Mikayla Porter showed glimpses of what she has to offer in the setter role and will look to build upon her campaign after combining for 73 assists across a pair of starts to end the season at Kansas State and Kansas.

TRANSFERS

Botsford and his staff went to work early in the portal and announced the signings of Kiki Horne and Emma Cook, who have now been with the team since the spring. Horne, a former standout freshman at UCLA in 2024, the Pittsburgh native boasts a combined 259 kills over her two seasons with the Bruins, and adds to the physical presence in the UCF attack.

Cook, a Fernandina Beach native, earned All-Citris Conference First Team honors during her sophomore season at Eastern Florida State College. She’ll join Chapman and Cohen and experience options at the net in 2026.

Chloe Albiez rounds out the transfers, and will be another marquee addition to the offense after an historic pair of seasons at Feather River College in Northern California. She produced 513 kills (4.28 per set) in 2025 en route to being named the AVCA Two-Year College Player of the Year.

An experienced winner, having won back-to-back 3C2A State Championships, Albiez will be a dynamic option for the Knights this season.

FRESHMAN

As a class of five first-years enter their sophomore season in 2026, the Knights welcome in a new class of four freshmen. Each hailing from Florida, the group adds height and physicality to the roster. 

Orlando native Natasha Casey was a standout at Lake Howell High School and boasts a big serve and plenty of explosiveness to the offense. She is joined by fellow Central Florida native London Adkins, who attended Lake Brantley High School and set the school’s blocking record in just her first three seasons.

She’ll be joined in the middle’s room by Clearwater product Deana Petrov, who stands at 6-6 and tallied over 250 kills at Largo High School across two seasons of play.

The group is rounded out by 6-6 Tampa native Elena Dibbs-Frantz after a strong career at Carrollwood Day School, where she tallied 303 kills and 31 blocks during her senior season.

THE ROAD AHEAD

UCF will open the season once again at home, hosting Robert Morris, Stony Brook and NC State in the Black & Gold Classic from August 28-30. The Wolfpack serve as the first of four Power Four non-conference opponents for the Knights, who will also welcome Virginia to The Venue on September 12, and travel to Wake Forest and No. 9 Purdue for a pair of tournaments. 

The Knights open up Big 12 play at home against Kansas State on September 24 before embarking on the first of two three-match road trips. UCF will however then conclude the regular season with a three-match homestand over Thanksgiving week against No. 23 Colorado, No. 24 BYU and Utah.

SINGLE GAME AND SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
UCF volleyball single-match and season tickets are on sale now. Be sure to catch all the action in 2026. Tickets can be purchased online at ucfknights.com/tickets or by calling the ticket office at (407) 823-1000.

ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.