JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (August 21, 2025) – The Atlantic Sun Conference announced the 2025 volleyball preseason coaches poll on Thursday, with North Alabama selected fifth of 12 teams by the league's head coaches.
The Lions enter tied for fifth with Jacksonville, who both finished with 87 points in the poll. Lipscomb was voted first and received eight of 12 first-place coaches votes. The Bisons also had two of three preseason superlatives with Courtney Jones selected as Player of the Year and Sophia Hudepohl chosen as Setter of the Year. Alexis McDaniel of Central Arkansas was voted Preseason Defensive Player of the Year to round out the superlatives.
Head Coach Tristan Johnson enters year four at the helm, looking to build on a 2024 season that saw UNA secure a 15-15 record with an ASUN Tournament appearance.
The Lions return eight players from the 2024 roster which includes four that saw action in at least 29 matches last season. North Alabama returns three of the top five leaders in points and kills, also returning the team's leading blocks leader and service ace specialist. UNA's second-leading assister and digs leader also returns to the Lions in 2025.
Sophomore Reese Ricketts is the team's top returner in points and kills, leading the Lions in 2024 with 443.5 points and 397 kills, respectively. Ricketts' freshman season saw her take home ASUN Freshman of the Year honors with a Third Team All-ASUN and All-Freshman Team selection. She also brings back production on the defensive end, finishing second on the team with 283 digs.
Junior Nicole Sargent preps for her third UNA season, finishing the 2024 season fourth on the team in points and kills with 209.5 points and 135 kills. Sargent also returns as the Lions' blocks leader from 2024, finishing with 92 on the season.
Junior Olivia Fenoff readies for her third season at UNA. The outside hitter played in the second-most sets in 2024 with 115, ending the campaign with a team-leading 38 service aces. Fenoff additionally finished third on the team with 238 digs.
Sophomore Kinslee McGowan steps into year two as North Alabama's top returning assister. Her freshman campaign ended with the setter registering 400 assists to finish second on the team. McGowan additionally contributed 178 digs, 14 kills, 13 service aces and eight blocks.
Senior Hayley Martin enters the 2025 season as the longest-tenured Lion on the roster. Martin looks to capitalize on a 2024 season that saw her finish fourth on the team with 87.5 points and 81 kills despite being limited to just 12 matches. She also looks to be a leading piece for the Lions in her fourth year on the team.
North Alabama Volleyball opens the regular season on Friday, August 30 at the Maroon & White Invite in Starkville, Miss. UNA will face Grambling State and Southeast Missouri State to open the weekend at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. The Lions conclude the invitational on Sunday, August 31 against host Mississippi State at 2 p.m.
2025 Volleyball Preseason Honors and Awards
Preseason Player of the Year: Courtney Jones, Lipscomb
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Alexis McDaniel, Central Arkansas
Preseason Setter of the Year: Sophia Hudepohl, Lipscomb
Preseason All-ASUN Team
Courtney Jones, Lipscomb
Laci Bohannan, Central Arkansas
Sophia Hudepohl, Lipscomb
Cayla Koons, Central Arkansas
Alexis McDaniel, Central Arkansas
Carson Ledford, EKU
Breanna McDonough, Jacksonville
Preseason Coaches Poll
Pl. Team (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Lipscomb (8) 140
2. FGCU (3) 122
3. EKU 115
4. Central Arkansas 110
5. Jacksonville 87
5. North Alabama 87
7. North Florida (1) 86
8. Austin Peay 47
9. Bellarmine 42
10. Stetson 41
11. Queens 37
12. West Georgia 22
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
