DALLAS – Conference USA volleyball opens the 2025 regular season on Friday, August 14, with all 12 teams competing for the championship crown. Here’s a team-by-team look at the season ahead:
 
DELAWARE
Head Coach: Kimberly Lambert (Fourth season; 61-23 at UD)
2024 Record: 20-7, 15-3 CAA
Roster: Starters returning (2)/Starters lost (4) – 6 newcomers
Key Returners: Anna Logan Gillens (2024 Second-Team All-CAA), Cadence Nyguyen (led the team in digs with 366), Taylor Holly, Raina Hughes, Asia Murray
Schedule Overview: Season opener at the K-State Invitational (Kan.) vs. UMBC on 8/30 and Kansas State on 8/31; CUSA opener on 9/26 vs. NM State

The Blue Hens enter CUSA fresh off earning Coastal Athletic Association Regular Season Champions in 2024. Last season, Delaware set a program record for most consecutive set victories with 18 from Nov. 2-16 and tied its conference wins program record at 15. The 2024 campaign marked the first time Delaware has won at least 20 matches in two-straight years since doing so in three straight seasons from 2009-2011. The Blue Hens were also the ninth team in CAA history to reach at least three consecutive CAA Championship matches.
 
FIU
Head Coach: Cristina Robertson  (Fourth season; 29-65 at FIU)
2024 Record: 8-25, 6-12 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (4)/Starters lost (3) – 9 newcomers
Key Returners: Jillian Huckabey (CUSA All-Freshman), Savannah Cook, Mandi Morioka, Courtney O’Brien
Schedule Overview: Season opener at the Duke Tournament (N.C.) vs. Houston on 8/29, Bryant on 8/30 and Duke on 8/31; CUSA opener on 9/26 vs. Missouri State
 
FIU returns key offensive standouts Jillian Huckabey and Savannah Cook while welcoming nine newcomers to the roster. With Mandi Morioka anchoring the backcourt and a group of middle blockers all standing over six feet, the Panthers’ defense will be tough to get past. FIU opens the season with a strong test against Power Four opponents Houston and Duke.
 
JAX STATE
Head Coach: Derek Schroeder  (Third season; 15-43 at Jax State)
2024 Record: 10-21; 3-15 CUSA  
Roster: Starters returning (5)/Starters lost (3) – 9 newcomers
Key Returners: Kayla Williams (2024 All-CUSA Second Team, Caty Havekost, Sanni Rantanen (led team in blocks with 87), Luci Wilkinson  
Schedule Overview: Season opener at the Amy Svoboda Memorial Classic (USAF Academy, Colo.) vs. Portland State and Air Force on 8/29 and Seattle on 8/30; CUSA opener on 9/26 vs. WKU
 
Jax State returns the bulk of their starting lineup while also adding a plethora of newcomers. Freshman setter Charlee Solomon, who was named the 2024 Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year, will look to be a key addition for the Gamecocks while feeding 2024 All-CUSA Second Team member Kayla Williams, who aims to continue to lead the team offensively.
 
KENNESAW STATE
Head Coach: Keith Schunzel  (13th season; 208-127 at Kennesaw State)
2024 Record: 14-17, 10-8 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (7)/Starters lost (0) – 2 newcomers
Key Returners: Manu Johnsen (2024 All-CUSA First Team), Olivia Burrage, Kourtney Brown, Kaeley Walz,   
Schedule Overview: Season opener at the Wichita State Tournament (Wichita, Kan.) vs. Wichita State on 8/29 and Arkansas on 8/30; CUSA opener on 9/26 vs. Middle Tennessee
 
Kennesaw State has the highest percentage of returning players in the nation, as 15 of 16 players (93.75%) from the 2024 squad are back for the 2025 season. A key returner for the Owls is Manu Johnsen, who was a 2024 All-CUSA First Team member and holds the all-time career kill record at KSU with 1160. The Owls have nine wins over Power Four teams over the past four years and have the chance to add to that total with a pair of games against SEC teams this fall (Aug. 31 vs Arkansas, Sept. 19 at Tennessee) as well as one match at home against Big Ten foe Michigan State on Sept. 11.
 
LIBERTY
Head Coach: Jeremy White (First season; 113-58 at Southeastern Louisiana)
2024 Record: 13-18, 7-11 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (1)/Starters lost (6) – 11 newcomers
Key Returners: Charli Crowson (led team in assists and service aces), Charli Morris  
Schedule Overview: Season opener at the Buffalo Invitational (Buffalo, N.Y.) vs. Marist on 8/29, Buffalo on 8/30 and Rutgers on 8/31; CUSA opener on 9/26 vs. LA Tech
 
Liberty embarks on its first season under head coach Jeremy White. Coach White led Southeastern Louisiana to unprecedented success over the last six years.  Liberty's roster features just two returning starters in setters Charli Crowson and Charli Morris. However, a talented incoming group of 11 newcomers, including Power Four transfers Layla Collins (Virginia Tech) and Zoe Hall (TCU) joins seven promising returners, giving much promise for this season and the future.
 
LOUISIANA TECH
Head Coach: Scott Mattera (First season; 113-42 at Our Lady of the Lake)
2024 Record: 8-23, 2-16 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (3)/Starters lost (4) – 4 newcomers
Key Returners: Jailen Hurley, Charlize Williams, Giulia Bonifacio
Schedule Overview: Season opener at the Southeastern Showdown (Hammond, La.) vs. Jackson State on 8/29, Southeastern and ULM on 8/30; CUSA opener on 9/26 at Liberty
 
The Bulldogs begin a new era in 2025 under first-year head coach Scott Mattera. Mattera retained 13 players from last season while adding four freshmen. With a heavy veteran presence such as junior opposite Jailen Hurley and senior middle blocker Charlize Williams, Mattera looks to rebuild Louisiana Tech into a CUSA Volleyball Tournament contender.
 
MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Head Coach: Alexa Keckler (First season; 87-92 at Lehigh)
2024 Record: 13-18; 9-9 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (0)/Starters lost (7) – 16 newcomers
Key Returners: Aowyn Schrader
Schedule Overview: Season opener at the Big Dawg Kickoff (Indianapolis, Ind.) vs. Purdue Fort Wayne on 8/29, Evansville and Butler on 8/30; CUSA opener on 9/26 vs. Kennesaw State
 
Middle Tennessee brings several fresh faces to CUSA as first-year head coach Alexa Keckler only returned one player from the 2024 season. Keckler added 16 newcomers, including seven freshmen. Sophomore outside hitter Aowyn Schrader, is the lone returner for the Blue Raiders. Schrader appeared in 25 matches and finished fourth on the team in kills with 148.
 
MISSOURI STATE
Head Coach: Steven McRoberts (Sixth season; 70-76 at Mo State)
2024 Record: 13-18; 9-9 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (3)/Starters lost (4) – 8 newcomers
Key Returners: Rilynn Finley (MVC All-Freshman Team), Neele’ge’ Sims (led the team in blocks), Aniya Joseph (led the team in kills), Brooke Eslinger
Schedule Overview: Season opener at the Abilene Christian Tournament (Abilene, Texas) vs. Oklahoma on 8/29, Abilene Christian on 8/30 and Incarnate Word on 8/31; CUSA opener on 9/26 at FIU
 
The Bears joins Conference USA after posting a .622 winning percentage in its 33-year tenure in the Missouri Valley Conference. Coach McRoberts is no stranger to CUSA, going 44-6 in the league with two regular season titles, one tournament championship, and one CUSA Coach of the Year award (2011) while serving as head coach at Tulsa from 2011-13. Mo State also added experience on the coaching staff this season in Assistant Coach Lori Endicott-Vandersnick, who helped Team USA to a bronze medal in volleyball at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and was named the best setter at the ’92 Games.
 
NEW MEXICO STATE
Head Coach: Mike Jordan (28^th season; 584-252 at NM State)
2024 Record: 19-14; 11-7 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (1)/Starters lost (6) – 7 newcomers
Key Returners: Nellie Reese, Ashley Herman, Makayla Martinez, Maggie Lightheart  
Schedule Overview: Season opener at the UC San Diego Invitational (La Jolla, Calif.) vs. Eastern Washington on 8/29, Northwestern on 8/30 and UC San Diego on 8/31; CUSA opener on 9/26 at Delaware
 
NM State boasts a senior-heavy roster set to take the floor this fall, including four student-athletes in their fourth season with the program. Among the fourth-year Aggies, Ashley Herman returns the most production with 164 kills. Nellie Reese, a fellow senior, is the lone returning starter, appearing in every set and starting all but one match. The seven roster additions include four freshmen and three transfers. Four of the newcomers are at least 6-foot-3, including the tallest Aggie on record, with Zoe Ziegler stepping in at 6-foot-6.
 
SAM HOUSTON
Head Coach: Brenda Gray (42^nd season; 776-590 at Sam Houston)
2024 Record: 13-17; 8-10 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (6)/Starters lost (1) – 7 newcomers
Key Returners: Avery Fowler, Chelsea Butler, Michaela Panekova, Lillian Hamilton
Schedule Overview: Season opener at the Bearkat Invitational (Huntsville, Texas) vs. Southern Illinois and McNeese on 8/29 and Tulane on 8/30; CUSA opener on 9/26 vs. UTEP
 
The Bearkats pair a solid returning group of their starting lineup with a balanced incoming class for the 2025 season. With veterans, Avery Fowler and Michaela Panekova leading the charge for Sam Houston, the Bearkats look to make a run for the CUSA Tournament title.
 
UTEP
Head Coach: Ben Wallis (Seventh season; 116-59 at UTEP)
2024 Record: 27-6; 16-2 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (6)/Starters lost (1) – 5 newcomers
Key Returners: Kaya Weaver (2024 Defensive Player of the Year), Ema Uskokovic (2024 All-CUSA First Team), Kalia Kohler (2024 All-CUSA Second Team), Torrance Lovesee (2024 All-CUSA Second Team), Danika Washington (2024 All-CUSA Second Team), Mattie Gantt   
Schedule Overview: Season opener at the Sac State Tournament (Sacramento, Calif.) vs. Sacramento State on 8/29, Pepperdine on 8/30 and UC Davis on 8/31; CUSA opener on 9/26 at Sam Houston
 
After a historic 2024 season, UTEP brings back six of its seven starters who propelled the Miners to a 27-win season and its first NCAA Tournament berth. The Miners led the NCAA in total aces (263), ranked second nationally in aces per set with 2.27 and ranked eighth in hitting percentage (.287). UTEP returns two powerful middle blockers in 2025 CUSA Preseason Player of the Year, Kaya Weaver and Danika Washington who led the Miners to rank 13^th nationally in blocks per set (2.76) and 25th in opponent hitting percentage (.168).
 
WKU
Head Coach: Travis Hudson (31^st season; 780-234 at WKU) (2024 Tournament Champs)
2024 Record: 28-7; 18-0 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (4) /Starters lost (2) – 6 newcomers
Key Returners: Callie Bauer (2024 CUSA Setter of the Year), Izzy Van De Wiele (2024 All-CUSA First Team), Abby Schaefer, Alivia Skidmore (2024 All-CUSA Second Team & All-Freshman Team), Faith Young (2024 All-Freshman Team)
Schedule Overview: Season opener at the WKU Invitational (Bowling Green, Ky.) vs. Wright State and Loyola-Chicago on 8/29 and Drake on 8/30; CUSA opener on 9/26 vs. Jax State
 
The Hilltoppers are no strangers to winning ways in CUSA. WKU has won 92 consecutive conference games, the most in CUSA history and hasn’t dropped a match since 2018. The Hilltoppers have a young team this season with nine talented underclassmen and key additions of freshmen Kaira Knox and Kennedy Cherry. With the 2024 CUSA Setter of the Year, Callie Bauer returning, along with 2024 All-CUSA First Team member Izzy Van De Wiele, WKU’s offense will be one to beat.