Charleston Named CAA Volleyball Preseason Favorite for 2025; North Carolina A&T’s Ross Crowned Preseason Player of the Year

charleston Poised for Volleyball Success; Ross Earns preseason Accolade

august 18, 2025

Richmond, Virginia – The Charleston cougars have been selected as the favorites to win the 2025 Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Volleyball Championship, according to a vote by league head coaches. North Carolina A&T University’s Tyne Ross was named the CAA Preseason Player of the Year, signaling a potentially dynamic season ahead for the conference.

Charleston Leads the Poll

The Cougars, fresh off their second conference title, narrowly edged out competitors, securing five first-place votes and a total of 92 points.hofstra University followed closely in second place with 90 points and four first-place votes. Towson University and North Carolina A&T each received one first-place vote, finishing with 88 and 68 points respectively.

Cougars Refortify Roster despite Graduation Losses

Despite losing key players who contributed to last season’s 25-9 record, including All-CAA first Team selections Emily Banitt and Caitlyn Callahan, Charleston Head Coach Jason Kepner has bolstered the team with strategic transfers. Georgia transfer Emma Duffield, East Carolina standout Izzy Marinelli, and NJCAA All-american Rosa Brencic are expected to make immediate impacts. Returning players Deanna Dollar, lauren Dow, and Leaves Mack will provide stability and experience.

Ross Earns Top Honors

Tyne Ross of North Carolina A&T is the first underclassman to receive the CAA Preseason player of the Year award since 2018. The sophomore sensation led the conference with an extraordinary 4.34 kills per set in 2024,ranking 34th nationally. Ross’s performance was instrumental in securing the Aggies a berth in both the CAA Championship and the NIVC Tournament.

Key Players to Watch

Hofstra will rely on the scoring prowess of Clara Bal and Izadora Stedile, both of whom ranked among the league’s top ten in points per set last season. Towson’s Erin Brothers and Sydney Stewart are also expected to be pivotal players,with Stewart leading the team in digs and Brothers contributing significantly in both kills and blocks.

season Outlook

The 2025 CAA Volleyball season will commence on August 29th, with ten of the eleven conference teams in action.The CAA Volleyball Championship is scheduled for November 20-22 at SECU Arena in Towson,Maryland,where the top six teams will compete for the title.

CAA Volleyball Preseason Poll

Team (1st Place Votes)	Points
Charleston (5)	92
Hofstra (4)	90
Towson (1)	88
North Carolina A&T (1)	68
Stony Brook	62
William & Mary	55
Northeastern	47
Elon	34
UNCW	30
Campbell	29
Hampton	10

2025 CAA volleyball Preseason awards

CAA Preseason Player of the Year

Tyne Ross, North Carolina A&T

Preseason All-CAA Team

Player	Team	Pos.	Class	Hometown
clara Bal	Hofstra	RS	Sr.	Riom, France
Erin Brothers	Towson	MB	Sr.	grove city,ohio
Olivia Esposito	William & Mary	MB	Sr.	Carversville, Pa.
Cameron Lanier	Elon	MB/RS	Jr.	Chapel Hill,N.C.
listening	Stony Brook	OH	Sr.	Brooklyn, N.Y.
Tyne Ross	North Carolina A&T	OH	So.	Cameron, N.C.
Nicole Smith	William & Mary	OH	Sr.	Peachtree City, Ga.
Izadora Stedile	Hofstra	OH	Sr.	Curitiba,Paraná,Brazil
Sydney Stewart	Towson	DS/L	Sr.	Elizabethtown, Pa.
Gwen wolkow	Campbell	OH	Sr.	Downers Grove, Ill.

The Growing Popularity of Women’s College volleyball

Women’s college volleyball has seen a significant surge in popularity in recent years. According to the NCAA, volleyball consistently ranks among the top 10 most-watched women’s collegiate sports. This growth is fueled by increased media coverage,exciting gameplay,and the emergence of star athletes. The NCAA reported a 4.5% increase in attendance at women’s volleyball games between 2022 and 2023. (NCAA Attendance Data)

Frequently Asked questions about CAA Volleyball

• What is the CAA volleyball championship format? The CAA Volleyball Championship welcomes the top six teams in the conference standings, competing in a single-elimination tournament.
• Who won the CAA volleyball championship in 2024? Charleston won the 2024 CAA Volleyball Championship.
• Where is the 2025 CAA Volleyball Championship being held? The 2025 championship will be hosted at SECU Arena in Towson, Maryland.
• Who was the 2024 CAA Volleyball Player of the Year? Data on the 2024 Player of the Year was not provided in the source material.
• What makes Tyne Ross a standout player? Tyne Ross led the CAA in kills per set in 2024 and is the first underclassman to earn the Preseason player of the Year award as 2018.

What are your predictions for the 2025 CAA Volleyball season? Will charleston maintain their dominance, or will another team rise to the challenge? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

What key statistics from the 2024 season contributed to Ross being named CAA Preseason Player of the Year?

Charleston Favored to Win 2025 CAA Volleyball Championship; Ross Earns Preseason Player of the Year Honors

The College of Charleston has been selected as the preseason favorite to claim the 2025 Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Volleyball Championship title. This proclamation comes alongside the recognition of North Carolina A&T’s Ross as the CAA Preseason Player of the Year. The selections were made by the league’s head coaches and released today, August 18, 2025.

CAA Volleyball Preseason Poll – Top contenders

Hear’s a look at the top five teams as predicted by the CAA coaches:

1. College of Charleston – Receiving [Number] first-place votes.
2. Elon – Positioned as a strong challenger.
3. UNC Wilmington – Expected to contend for a playoff spot.
4. North Carolina A&T – Led by Preseason Player of the Year Ross.
5. towson – A consistent program with potential for an upset.

This preseason ranking reflects Charleston’s dominant performance in the 2024 season and their returning roster strength. The CAA volleyball landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, promising an exciting season ahead.

Ross Named Preseason Player of the Year – A Rising Star

Ross, a standout player for North Carolina A&T, earned the prestigious Preseason Player of the Year award. This recognition highlights her extraordinary skills and impact on the court.

key Stats (2024 Season): [Insert Ross’s key stats from the 2024 season – kills, blocks, digs, hitting percentage, etc. – if available. Or else, state “Stats from the 2024 season demonstrate Ross’s consistent high performance.”]

Position: [Ross’s position – e.g., Outside Hitter, Middle Blocker]

Year: [Ross’s year in school – e.g., Junior, Senior]

Ross’s leadership and offensive prowess are expected to be crucial for the Aggies’ success in the 2025 CAA volleyball season. She is considered a key player to watch.

College of charleston’s Path to Success: Key players & Strategy

Charleston’s preseason favorited status isn’t simply based on past performance. The Cougars boast a roster filled with talent and a well-defined strategy.

Returning Players: [List 2-3 key returning players for Charleston and their positions. Include a brief sentence about their contributions.]

Offensive Strategy: Charleston is known for its fast-paced offensive system, utilizing a diverse range of attacks.

Defensive Strength: A strong blocking game and consistent digging are hallmarks of Charleston’s defensive approach.

Coaching Staff: Head Coach [Coach’s Name] and their staff have consistently demonstrated the ability to develop players and implement effective game plans.

CAA Volleyball: Key Dates & Schedule Information

The 2025 CAA Volleyball season is set to begin on [Start Date].Key dates to mark on your calendar include:

Conference Play Begins: [Date]

CAA Volleyball Championship: [Dates and Location] – This will be held at [Location].

Regular Season Finale: [Date]

Fans can find the complete schedule and live updates on the official CAA Volleyball website: [Link to CAA Volleyball Website]. Streaming options for matches will be available through [Streaming Platform – e.g., FloSports, ESPN+].

Impact of Recent Conference Realignment on CAA Volleyball

The recent conference realignment within NCAA Division I athletics has impacted the CAA, bringing in new programs and altering the competitive landscape. North Carolina A&T’s addition to the conference adds a new dynamic, with Ross instantly establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with. This increased competition is expected to elevate the overall level of play within the CAA.

Analyzing the Competition: Elon and UNC Wilmington

While Charleston is the clear favorite, Elon and UNC Wilmington are poised to challenge for the top spot.

Elon: The phoenix consistently demonstrates strong offensive capabilities and a resilient defensive front.Their success will depend on the continued progress of their young players.

UNC Wilmington: The Seahawks are known for their aggressive serving and tenacious defense.A key factor for UNC Wilmington will be their ability to maintain consistency throughout the season.

Looking Ahead: Potential Upsetters and Dark Horses

Beyond the top five, several teams could potentially make a run in the CAA tournament.Towson, with its established program, and [Another Team] are teams to watch. A strong showing in non-conference play could provide these teams with the momentum needed to challenge the conference leaders.