VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State volleyball team is set to open the 2026 season this weekend as the Blazers travel to Hartsville, South Carolina, for the Coker Cobra Classic, hosted by Coker University.

The Blazers will compete in three matches over two days, beginning Friday, Aug. 28, before finishing up tournament play Saturday morning. The weekend marks the first time since 2022 that Valdosta State will open its season in August.

Valdosta State will begin the tournament Friday at 9 a.m. ET against USC Aiken, followed by a 2 p.m. ET matchup against Francis Marion. The Blazers will then close the weekend Saturday at 9 a.m. ET against Chowan.

The opening match against USC Aiken will be the Blazers first opportunity to compete against an opponent in the 2026 campaign. The Pacers are also opening their season at the Coker Cobra Classic and are scheduled to play Valdosta State and Saint Leo on Friday before facing Francis Marion on Saturday.

Valdosta State will then face Francis Marion Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. The Patriots enter the season ranked second in the Conference Carolinas preseason poll and will begin their campaign against the Blazers in Hartsville.

The Blazers will end tournament action Saturday morning against Chowan at 9 a.m. The Hawks are scheduled to play three matches during the tournament, opening against Saint Leo before facing Coker Friday night and Valdosta State Saturday morning.

Head coach Kaleigh Zoucha enters her ninth season leading the Blazer volleyball program. In 2025, Zoucha guided Valdosta State to its seventh Gulf South Conference Tournament appearance under her leadership, with the Blazers finishing 11-9 in conference play.

The Blazers return several key contributors from last season, including senior libero Eimy Negron Domenech, who was selected to the 2026 Preseason All-GSC Team. Negron Domenech enters the season after earning five GSC Defensive Player of the Week honors during her Blazer career. Junior outside hitter Asia Montagnani, junior setter Avery Mullins, and sophomore setter/libero Ava Keuntjes are also among the returning players highlighted by the program.

Valdosta State was selected sixth in the 2026 GSC preseason poll with 43 points. UAH was picked first, followed by Trevecca Nazarene, Lee, Montevallo and Christian Brothers.

The 2026 roster features a mix of experienced returners and newcomers as the Blazers look to build on last year's postseason appearance. Among the team's returners are Negron Domenech, Montagnani, Mullins, Keuntjes, Maddie Goodwin, Maddie Kilmer, Kinsley Timmons and Paola Aviles.

The Coker Cobra Classic gives Valdosta State an opportunity to test itself against three different opponents before returning to Florida for the Flagler Invitational in early September.

With three matches packed into a two-day span, the Blazers will have a chance to establish their rhythm quickly while relying on strong communication, defensive consistency and offensive execution.

For Zoucha and the Blazers, the weekend represents the first step toward a season that includes 13 home matches at The Complex and a full Gulf South Conference schedule beginning Sept. 18 against Lee.

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