University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Old Dominion
Volleyball Opens the 2026 Season at Old Dominion University
8/27/2026 10:41:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
August 28, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. ET
USC Upstate (0-0) at Old Dominion (0-0)
ODU Volleyball Center | Norfolk, Va.
Watch: ESPN+
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A new season gets underway Friday morning as USC Upstate volleyball begins its 2026 campaign on the road, taking on Old Dominion at 10 a.m. ET at the ODU Volleyball Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
Friday morning's contest opens a three-match weekend for the Spartans at Old Dominion's Quest for the Crown. Following the season opener against the Monarchs, Upstate returns to the court Friday evening for a 5 p.m. matchup with Norfolk State before concluding the tournament Saturday at noon against St. John's.
A New Season Begins
The Spartans enter 2026 looking to continue the program's upward trajectory under head coach Ali Skayhan. Upstate finished the 2025 campaign with 14 victories, tied for the second-most in a season during the program's Division I era. The Spartans also reached the Big South Volleyball Championship for the second consecutive season.
Upstate's offense produced several Division I-era program bests last season, averaging 12.84 kills and 11.95 assists per set while hitting .208. The Spartans also led the Big South with 1.64 service aces per set and 177 total aces.
Expectations remain high entering 2026 as Upstate was selected to finish third in the Big South Preseason Coaches Poll. The Spartans also placed three players on the Preseason All-Conference Team, with Sophia Overholt, Kamyla Vega David and Summer Kohler each receiving recognition.
Overholt was named the Big South Preseason Libero of the Year, while Vega David earned Preseason Co-Setter of the Year honors. Both awards are program firsts for USC Upstate. Kohler joined the duo on the Preseason All-Conference Team after a freshman campaign in which she established an Upstate freshman single-season record with 383 kills. Overholt also set a freshman program record with 465 digs in 2025.
Scouting Old Dominion
Old Dominion opens its seventh season as a program Friday as the Monarchs host the sixth annual Quest for the Crown. Head coach Fred Chao's squad enters the season following a pair of preseason exhibitions against VCU and William & Mary.
The Monarchs will play three matches during their home tournament, facing Upstate Friday morning before taking on St. John's Friday night and Elon Saturday evening. Old Dominion's non-conference schedule features opponents from a variety of conferences, including the ACC, Big Ten, BIG EAST, Big South and American.
Friday marks the beginning of a challenging non-conference slate for the Spartans. After three matches in Norfolk, Upstate returns to Spartanburg for its first home matches of the season, hosting Alabama State on Sept. 4 and West Florida on Sept. 5 inside the G.B. Hodge Center.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateSpartans | @UpstateVB
Instagram | @UpstateSpartans | @Upstate_VB
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
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