Rock Hill, S.C.----For the 20th straight year, the Wingate University Bulldogs are the preseason favorites in the South Atlantic Conference volleyball coach's poll, which was released Monday morning. In addition, the 'Dogs have four preseason all-conference honorees. Sydney Morland, Maya Van Heyst, Gabby Saye and Emily Johnson are preseason first team All-SAC selections. The Bulldogs went 31-3 last season, capturing the SAC regular season and tournament titles, while also securing the NCAA Southeast Region championship.

Wingate collected 10 of the 12 first-place votes to finish atop the preseason poll for the 20th straight season. Lenoir-Rhyne finished second in the poll, followed by Anderson in third, with each collecting a first-place vote. Carson-Newman is fourth, with LMU, Mars Hill, Tusculum and UVA Wise rounding out the top eight. Newberry checks in at number nine, followed by Catawba, Coker and Emory & Henry.

Winners of 32 total SAC titles since 2006, the 'Dogs went 31-3 overall in 2024, with a 17-1 record in SAC play to capture the regular season SAC title. The Bulldogs went on to earn regional hosting duties for the 11th time in the last 16 years. Wingate has won 18 of the last 19 regular season SAC titles, adding 14 tournament championships in that span, with the seven region titles all coming since 2010. The 'Dogs are 534-53 overall since the start of the 2007 season, going 312-20 in league play. Wingate has ranked in the top 10 in the nation in winning percentage every year since 2007.

Morland had a huge year in 2024, earning SAC Player of the Year honors, while also collecting Region Player of the Year accolades from the AVCA and D2CCA. The first team All-SAC and All-Region selection was named an AVCA second team All-American, while picking up third team All-American accolades from the D2CCA. Morland finished in the top five nationally with a SAC and Wingate record .427 hitting percentage, averaging 2.70 kills and 0.85 blocks per set. Morland has 14 double-digit kill matches on the year, hitting over .300 in all of those contests while hitting over .400 in 11 of the matches.

Van Heyst was an All-SAC, All-Region and All-American during the 2024 season. The first team All-SAC and All-Region selection earned AVCA third team All-American accolades. Van Heyst did it all for the Bulldogs, leading the team in assists and aces while ranking second in digs, fourth in blocks and fifth in kills while hitting .302. She averaged 6.96 assists, 1.96 kills and 3.14 digs per set while piling up 52 blocks and 41 aces. Van Heyst ranked eighth in the nation with her four triple-doubles, while adding 20 double-doubles.

Johnson picked up first team All-SAC and All-Region accolades during her junior season, while collecting All-American recognition for the third straight year. Johnson was named an AVCA honorable mention All-American in 2024. Johnson hit .379 on the year, notching 2.53 kills per set with a team-high 0.90 blocks per set. She ranked second on the team in kills and second in the SAC in hitting percentage. Johnson also had 33 aces and 87 digs on the year. Johnson had 10 matches with double-digit kills, hitting over .300 in eight of those and .500 or better four times. 

Saye was an All-SAC, All-Region and All-American honoree in 2024. She collected AVCA honorable mention All-American accolades for the second time in her career as a junior. Saye averaged 2.43 kills per set with a .343 hitting percentage, ranking third in the SAC in hitting while adding 99 digs and 69 blocks. She had 11 matches with double-digit kills, hitting over .300 in eight of those contests.

Wingate opens up the season next week, hosting UNC Pembroke Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. The 'Dogs then host the Bulldog Classic in Cuddy Arena Friday and Saturday, hosting Lewis Friday, sept. 5 at 7 p.m. Wingate takes on Francis Marion Saturday at 2 p.m., while wrapping up the weekend at 7 p.m. against USC Aiken. A total of 10 matches will be played in Cuddy Arena Friday and Saturday.
 
2025 SAC Volleyball Preseason Poll
 

Rank	School (First Place Votes)	Score
1.	Wingate (10)	109
2.	Lenoir-Rhyne (1)	97
3.	Anderson (1)	89
4.	Carson-Newman	76
5.	Lincoln Memorial	71
6.	Mars Hill	64
7.	Tusculum	49
8.	UVA Wise	32
9.	Newberry	27
10.	Catawba	26
11.	Coker	21
12.	Emory & Henry	21

2025 Preseason All-Conference Team
Kayli Cleaver, Lenoir-Rhyne
Averie Dale, Lenoir-Rhyne
Maddie Hurst, Carson-Newman
Laela Jimenez, Mars Hill
Emily Johnson, Wingate
Sydney Morland, Wingate
Maya Van Heyst, Wingate
Gabby Saye, Wingate
Ellie Nieporte, Anderson
Emily Campbell, Anderson