Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open up the 2026 volleyball season this weekend, taking on Lee University and Lander University Friday in South Carolina. The 'Dogs face Lee at 12:30 p.m. before taking on the host Bearcats at 5:30 p.m. Wingate is coming off a 31-2 season in 2025, going 18-0 in league play to capture the regular season title. The 'Dogs went on to win the SAC Tournament title and region championship last year.

The Bulldogs have piled up the titles for the past two decades, winning 19 of the last 20 regular season SAC titles, adding 15 SAC Tournament championships and eight region titles in that span. Wingate hosted the NCAA Regionals for the 12th time in the last 17 years in 2025, while capturing the eighth region title since 2010. The 'Dogs advanced to the national quarterfinals, dropping a five-set heartbreaker to eventual national champion Metro State, with a 15-13 fifth set.

The Bulldogs have piled up 34 total league championships over the past 20 years. Wingate is 555-56 overall since the start of the 2007 season, going 330-20 in league play. The 'Dogs have ranked in the top 10 nationally in winning percentage 19 times over the last 20 seasons and are still the only team in SAC history to earn an AVCA top 25 ranking. Wingate checks in at #13 in the AVCA preseason national poll. Wingate leads the SAC and the Southeast Region in All-Americans, with at least one player earning AVCA All-American recognition in each of the last 18 seasons. The 'Dogs have the only AVCA first team All-American in league history, and the only five AVCA second team honorees. The 'Dogs have had 22 different honorees earn either first, second, or third team accolades, with numerous others picking up honorable mention recognition.

The Bulldogs will have a different look this year, including first-year head coach Molly Lambillotte. The Wingate alum piled up five regular season SAC titles, two SAC Tourney championships and a pair of region titles in her playing career, earning AVCA third team All-American honors in her final season.

"It's a really hungry group because of so many players stepping into different roles this year," Lambillotte says. "They are all excited to take on bigger roles, there's some good really good energy in the gym. Rylee Tanner is a good example of someone who played an important role last year that is now stepping into an even bigger role, becoming efficient offensively and holding her own in the back court. Addie Rossum and Reece Bellush have both taken big steps in becoming leaders and also owning the setter position. They are both working hard to have a role in whatever system we have. Another position that has taken a step up has been the defensive specialists. Ximena Padilla, Anya Pershin and Hailey Green, along with transfer Kaity Coan, all bring such a good vibe to the team with their and work ethic."

The expectations for the Bulldogs are the same, despite not being chosen as the preseason SAC favorites for the first time in 20 years. "The team takes pride in wearing that Wingate jersey, and respecting the legacy of the program," Lambillotte says. "What has been driving the team so far is earning their own legacy as a team."

Wingate lost a number of seniors last year that had plenty of success, so now the team looks for players to step up into bigger leadership roles. "Jordan Griffin has come out fearless as an opposite-side hitter, but also as a leader," Lambillotte says. "Grace Woodring is extremely offensive in the middle, and has worked really hard to be a defensive-minded player as well. Hailey works as hard as she can every day; there's never a doubt Hailey wants to win. Vittoria Leggiero brings an energy that leads, and her willingness to understand Wingate volleyball as a whole and her buy-in is inspiring for all of the young players."

OUTSIDE HITTERS

The Bulldogs have a solid group at the outside hitter spot, with senior Alanna Vavao and sophomore Rylee Tanner joined by redshirt freshman Lillian Edwards and freshman Rylee Lambert. Vavao had 167 kills last year, while Tanner contributed 117 kills to go along with 322 digs, averaging 3.10 digs per set to rank third on the team. Edwards is a SAC Preseason Player to Watch, looking to make a big impact after missing all of the 2025 season due to injury. "This is a good mix of increasing offensive efficiency," Lamibllotte says. "They are all working really hard to take on all of the roles an outside has to do."

MIDDLE BLOCKERS

The junior Woodring leads the way in the middle, joined by classmate Carson Reeves along with freshmen Leggiero and Siena Sumner. Woodring registered 21 kills last season, adding eight blocks on the year, earning SAC Preseason Player to Watch accolades. "The middles have done a great job fine-tuning their blocking to create more positive touches," Lamibllote says. "I'm excited to see how offensive each one of them can be in their own way."

OPPOSITES

The opposites group is led by juniors Griffin and Abby Mas, along with Delaware State transfer Julia Kneba and freshman Saylor Edwards. "This is a really good mix of different arms," Lambillotte says. "This position is going to be very important to our team in regards of leadership and being clutch."  

DEFENSE

The junior green is joined by sophomores Pershin, Padilla, Coan and Gabby Lund. Green is another preseason Player to Watch after notching 2.06 digs per set last year, adding 25 aces. "This is probably our most improved group, both reception-wise and as a defensive unit," Lambillotte says. "They have put in the time and work, and we can't wait to see them thrive this year in any role they have."

SETTERS

Sophomores Rossum and Bellush are joined by freshman Mia Marty. Rossum appeared in 11 matches last year, handing out 33 assists while adding 23 digs, 11 kills and four aces. "These three have been putting in the time to give their teammates what they need," Lambillotte says. "I trust all three of them to be out there and run the team."

SCHEDULE

The 'Dogs play their first five matches away from home to start the year. After Friday's matches at Lander, Wingate will travel to Mount Olive next weekend, taking on Fayetteville State Friday before facing Mount Olive and Shaw Saturday. Wingate opens league play at home on Sept. 8 in the home opener against Newberry. The Bulldogs welcome preseason SAC favorites Anderson to Cuddy Arena Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. in a rematch of the 2025 region title match, which also took place in Cuddy Arena. The regular season wraps up with back-to-back home matches against Tusculum and Mars Hill Nov. 5 and 6.