CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Shaw University has been picked to finish second in the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association volleyball predicted order of finish, the league announced Monday.
The preseason poll and Preseason All-CIAA Team were voted on by the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association.
Defending CIAA champion Fayetteville State was selected as the preseason favorite, followed by Shaw, Virginia State, Winston-Salem State, Bluefield State and Bowie State to round out the top six.
Shaw enters the 2026 season looking to remain among the conference's top programs after advancing to the 2025 CIAA Volleyball Championship match.
The Lady Bears entered last season's tournament as the No. 3 seed from the Southern Division and swept Virginia Union in the quarterfinals before earning a five-set victory over Bowie State in the semifinals. Shaw's bid for a third consecutive CIAA championship ended with a 3-0 loss to Fayetteville State in the title match.
Despite falling short of the three-peat, Shaw enters 2026 with a recent championship résumé that includes back-to-back CIAA titles in 2023 and 2024 and apperances in the last eight CIAA finals.
The Lady Bears also placed junior middle hitter Sydni Hunter on the 2026 Preseason All-CIAA Team.
Hunter returns after earning First Team All-CIAA honors in 2025 and will be expected to play a key role for Shaw this season. She was an important part of the Lady Bears' postseason run last fall, including a nine-kill performance in Shaw's quarterfinal victory over Virginia Union.
Shaw and Fayetteville State have established themselves as two of the league's premier programs in recent years. The two programs have combined to win each of the past five CIAA volleyball championships contested, with Fayetteville State capturing titles in 2019, 2021 and 2025 and Shaw winning in 2023 and 2024.
Virginia State was picked third in the preseason poll, while Winston-Salem State was selected fourth. Bluefield State came in fifth, followed by Bowie State, Livingstone, Virginia Union, Claflin, Elizabeth City State, Johnson C. Smith and Lincoln (Pa.).
Winston-Salem State led all programs with three Preseason All-CIAA selections. Fayetteville State, Virginia State and Claflin each had two players selected, while Shaw was represented by Hunter.
Nine of the 12 members of the preseason team earned All-CIAA recognition last season, including seven players who earned first-team honors.
The Lady Bears will look to turn their preseason recognition into another championship run as they begin the 2026 campaign under head coach Jailynn Hunt.
2026 CIAA Volleyball Predicted Order of Finish
- Fayetteville State
- Shaw
- Virginia State
- Winston-Salem State
- Bluefield State
- Bowie State
- Livingstone
- Virginia Union
- Claflin
- Elizabeth City State
- Johnson C. Smith
- Lincoln (Pa.)
2026 Preseason All-CIAA Volleyball Team
Libero
Kellee Craig, Virginia State
Middle Hitter
Mya Hejl, Fayetteville State
Kamiyah Wilson, Winston-Salem State
Sydni Hunter, Shaw
Outside Hitter
Gracie Darville, Virginia State
Aryanna Connell, Claflin
Holiday Ellis, Winston-Salem State
Right Side Hitter
Da'Maia Bryant, Livingstone
Aria Caldwell, Winston-Salem State
Setter
Giovanna Teixeira, Fayetteville State
Gabby Hale, Bowie State
Utility
Grayson Graham, Claflin
For the latest information on Shaw University Athletics, visit ShawBears.com and follow the Bears on Instagram at @su_bears and on X at @ShawBears.
