INSTITUTE, W.VA. – West Virginia State Volleyball begins their 2022 campaign in Milledgeville, Ga., at the Georgia College Invitational Friday, August 26. The squad will face the host Bobcats to begin the year, and then will follow up with a Saturday double dose against Southern Wesleyan and Limestone.

Live stats will be posted for each match as soon as they become available.

THE WEEKEND AHEAD
Friday, Aug. 26 -- 6 PM -- Georgia College
Saturday, Aug. 27 -- 10 AM -- Southern Wesleyan (S.C.)
Saturday, Aug. 27 -- 2 PM -- Limestone

On the eve of their 2022 season opener, WVSU sits in a good position, picked first in the South Division of the Mountain East Conference preseason poll, and welcoming back the reigning MEC Coach of the Year in Kris Kern. 

Kern returns for his sixth season at the helm, eclipsing his 100^th win at State last season. Kern guided the Yellow Jackets to their second-straight MEC South Division title, and an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the Round of 32 for the first time in program history.

The Yellow Jackets will be led stalwart Grace Martin, who returns for her graduate student season after claiming First Team All-MEC and Second Team All-Atlantic Region plaudits a year ago. Martin ranked in the top five of Division II in total blocks in 2021.

Joining her is junior Kiersten Eggleton, who earned All-MEC Honorable Mention honors a year ago and tallied an impressive 625 assists. Classmates Natalie Beer and Alex Darby also return at middle and libero, respectively, and looking to make waves for the squad right away is Division I transfer Diamond'Nique Young, who earned second team all-conference honors during her rookie season in 2019 at Colorado State University-Pueblo.

SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
Georgia College finished the season at 10-22 a year ago, averaging 10.34 kills per set but hitting at a mere .123 efficiency. The squad looks to improve, led by transfer Rachel Machovec who was named to the Preseason All-Peach Belt Team after earning First Team honors the previous season at Flagler College.

SCOUTING SOUTHERN WESLEYAN
The Warriors won just one game last season, finishing the year averaging 7.83 kills per set. Under new leadership from first-year coach Anna Heinz, the squad looks to improve after adding four late adds to the 2022-23 recruiting class. Southern Wesleyan opens the season against Limestone Friday.

SCOUTING LIMESTONE
The Saints nearly reached .500 last season, finishing the year 11-12. However, the team did win four of their last five contests, averaging 11.71 kills per set. Team leader, sophomore Josie Curran, returns after posting 249 kills on the year at a .267 clip.

FOLLOW US!
Follow WVSU on Twitter for in-match updates as well as links for live stats and other information all season long.