Women's Volleyball 8/13/2026 10:00:00 AM Aaron Gershon

NCF VOLLEYBALL OPENS 2026 SEASON HOSTING MIGHTY BANYAN VOLLEYPALOOZA FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

SARASOTA, Fla. - The 2026 NCF volleyball season gets underway this weekend as the Mighty Banyans host the second annual Mighty Banyan VolleyPalooza on Friday, Aug. 14 and Saturday, Aug. 15 at SCF-Bradenton's Hal Chasey Gymnasium.

Six teams will begin their 2026 seasons during the two-day event, with 11 matches scheduled across Friday and Saturday. New College will be joined by Bethel, Florida Memorial, Warner, William Carey and Mobile.

The Mighty Banyans will take the court three times during the weekend, opening the season Friday at 10 a.m. against Bethel before returning at 4:30 p.m. to face No. 24-ranked Mobile. NCF will close out VolleyPalooza Saturday at 5:30 p.m. against William Carey.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, AUG. 14

10 a.m. – Bethel vs. New College
12 p.m. – Florida Memorial vs. Warner
2 p.m. – Bethel vs. William Carey
4:30 p.m. – New College vs. Mobile
6:30 p.m. – William Carey vs. Florida Memorial
8:30 p.m. – Warner vs. Mobile

SATURDAY, AUG. 15

9 a.m. – Bethel vs. Florida Memorial
11 a.m. – Bethel vs. Mobile
1:30 p.m. – Warner vs. William Carey
3:30 p.m. – Florida Memorial vs. Mobile
5:30 p.m. – New College vs. William Carey

TICKET INFORMATION

NCF Students, Faculty & Staff: FREE
Children 5 & Under: FREE
Youth (Ages 6-14): $5 PER DAY
Adults: $7 PER DAY

IMPORTANT LINKS

SCF-BRADENTON CAMPUS MAP

BACK FOR MORE

NCF enters 2026 following a program-best 20-5 campaign in 2025 that saw the Mighty Banyans finish third in the Sun Conference regular season standings and as Sun Conference Tournament runners-up.

David McFatrich returns for his second season as NCF head coach.

The Mighty Banyans return nine players from last season's roster, including Second-Team All-Sun Conference selections Wiktoria Telecka and Soraya Nacero, both of whom are entering their senior seasons.

NEW FACES

NCF's roster features a handful of new faces, including junior setter Abigail Leonard, who spent two seasons with Sun Conference foe Webber. Last season, Leonard recorded 587 assists, 228 digs, 36 kills, 35 service aces and 11 blocks as a sophomore.

Khalia Horta, a transfer from Carolina University, joins the Mighty Banyans after finishing 55th in the NAIA last season with 4.69 digs per set. Other transfers include Addison Phillippe from Polk State College and Danica Bowden from Saint Xavier (Ill.).

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