Rock Hill, S.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs have been picked to finish sixth in the preseason South Atlantic Conference beach volleyball poll, which was released Thursday morning. The Bulldogs have two duos that have earned SAC Pairs to Watch accolades –
Amelia Talbott and
Ella Harm, along with
Lilou Thieme and
Kate Beezer.
Carson-Newman is the preseason favorite, earning four of the six first-place votes. Tusculum and Erskine are next in the poll, each earning one first-place vote. Emmanuel is tied for third with Erskine, followed by Catawba and Wingate.
Talbott was named the 2025 SAC Freshman of the Year. She teamed with Thieme as the number one pair last year for the first-year Bulldogs. Thieme and Talbott were named an All-SAC duo, picking up 11 victories at number one. Harm piled up 14 victories for the 'Dogs last year, all coming at number two. Beezer joins the Bulldogs as a junior, transferring from MiraCosta College.
The Bulldogs open up their second season March 6-7 at the Tusculum Tournament. The 'Dogs are at home Wednesday, March 11, hosting Morehead State in their first-ever on-campus matches.
SAC Beach Volleyball Preseason Poll
| # |
School (1st Place) |
Votes |
| 1 |
Carson-Newman (4) |
54 |
| 2 |
Tusculum (1) |
49 |
| t3 |
Erskine (1) |
45 |
| t3 |
Emmanuel |
45 |
| 5 |
Catawba |
41 |
| 6 |
Wingate |
36 |
SAC Beach Volleyball Pairs to Watch
Carson-Newman: Paige Halcrow / Trinity Hafey; Emerson Ahsmuhs / Ava Potts
Catawba: Emma Christensen / Marcella Hermont; Sidney Kettelkamp / Emily Dudley
Emmanuel: Faith Kelly / Leah Van WynGarden; Kaleigh Morawietz / MaisyBeth Farrow
Erskine: Abby Platt / Reka Meilinger; Elly Davis / Rinnah Roberts
Tusculum: Brynn Smith / Dasha Nikolaeva; Hannah Marsh / Sofia Vega Barrantes
Wingate: Amelia Talbott / Ella Harm; Lilou Thieme / Kate Beezer
