ETBU picked unanimous preseason favorite in ASC volleyball; Schreiner picked fourth
Schreiner was picked fourth with 37 points in its return to the ASC, coming off a 24-7 season in 2025. The Mountaineers return two 2025 All-Conference selections in setter Harlie Gallaspy, a senior, and outside hitter Giana Hilliard, also a senior.
East Texas Baptist received every first-place vote to top the 2026 American Southwest Conference volleyball preseason poll, released this week. The poll was voted on by head coaches and sports information directors from each ASC school.
The Tigers are coming off a 34-1 season that ended in the NCAA Division III National Championship Elite Eight and included an undefeated run through ASC play. East Texas Baptist returns five 2025 All-Conference selections, including All-Americans Anita Hancock and Lara Hornsby, and collected 72 points and all 12 first-place votes in the preseason poll.
Hardin-Simmons was picked second with 53 points. The Cowgirls return first-team All-Conference middle blockers Jadyn Hernandez and Avery Tumlinson. Mary Hardin-Baylor was picked third with 47 points.
Schreiner was picked fourth with 37 points in its return to the ASC, coming off a 24-7 season in 2025. The Mountaineers return two 2025 All-Conference selections in setter Harlie Gallaspy, a senior, and outside hitter Giana Hilliard, also a senior.
McMurry, also returning to the conference, was picked fifth with 24 points. Howard Payne rounds out the preseason poll in sixth with 19 points; the Yellow Jackets return 2025 All-Conference second-team selections Tara Bennett and Carli Briese.
2026 ASC preseason poll
- East Texas Baptist, 72 points (12 first-place votes)
- Hardin-Simmons, 53
- Mary Hardin-Baylor, 47
- Schreiner, 37
- McMurry, 24
- Howard Payne, 19
2026 players to watch, as selected by ASC coaches and sports information directors:
- Tara Bennett, OH, junior, Howard Payne (2025 All-Conference)
- Carli Briese, RS, sophomore, Howard Payne (2025 All-Conference)
- Harlie Gallaspy, S, senior, Schreiner (2025 All-Conference)
- Anita Hancock, MB, senior, East Texas Baptist (2025 All-Conference)
- Jadyn Hernandez, MB, senior, Hardin-Simmons (2025 All-Conference)
- Giana Hilliard, OH, senior, Schreiner (2025 All-Conference)
- Lara Hornsby, OH, sophomore, East Texas Baptist (2025 All-Conference, 2025 Co-Freshman of the Year)
- Natalie Hughes, MB, senior, Mary Hardin-Baylor (2025 All-Conference)
- Baylee Mobley, OH, junior, Mary Hardin-Baylor (2025 All-Conference)
- Lexi Nichols, L/DS, freshman, McMurry
- Avery Tumlinson, MB, senior, Hardin-Simmons (2025 All-Conference)
- Layleah Williams-Gibson, MB/OH, sophomore, McMurry (2025 All-Conference)
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