Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Mercer
Troy Volleyball Opens 2026 Season With Troy Invitational
8/27/2026 10:00:00 AM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. — Troy volleyball begins its 2026 season this weekend with the Troy Invitational at Trojan Arena. The Trojans will open competition against Mercer on Friday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m., followed by North Alabama on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m., and Alabama State on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 2 p.m.
All contests will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+, with live stats available at TroyTrojans.com/livestats.
Game Information
Matchups: Mercer | North Alabama | Alabama State
When: Friday, 6 p.m. | Saturday, 4 p.m. | Sunday, 2 p.m.
Where: Troy, Ala. - Trojan Arena
Watch: ESPN+ (all matches)
Stats: TroyTrojans.com/livestats
Back in Action
The Trojans return to the court following a 10-16 overall record last season, including a 7-9 mark in Sun Belt play. Troy won four of its last five of the regular season and earned a spot in the Sun Belt Tournament when they topped Marshall in the first round before falling to No. 1 seeded James Madison to conclude the 2025 campaign.
Troy enters the 2026 season without several key figures from last year's squad, including their leaders in kills (Amiah Butler), digs (Jaci Mesa), and blocks (Sydney Austin).
Third year player Kalina Calvillo returns for the Cardinal and White after totaling 243 kills last season, good for second most on the team.
The Trojans also return their leader in assists from last season in Madison Marx. Marx notched 535 assists in 2025; her role is expected to take a leap with former teammate and the team's second highest assist producer Jordan Sinness having graduated.
Other Trojans expected to make a big impact this season include Olivia Kwiatkowski, a third year outside hitter who tallied 193 kills and 185 digs last season. Another third-year player in Ashlynn Axtell looks to build off her 2025 campaign in which she recorded the second-most blocks with 42 and added 62 kills.
Nice to Meet You
Troy welcomes four newcomers to the 2026 squad. The Trojans brought in three first-year players including liberos Haley Nash and Kenzly Foote, and outside hitter Isabella Ruether. Middle hitter Sophie Ocampo joins the Cardinal and White as a fifth-year transfer following four seasons with UT Arlington.
Scouting Mercer
24th meeting: Troy leads the all-time series, 16-7.
The Trojans and Bears faced off last season when Troy topped Mercer in three sets. Mercer's most recent victory came in 2017. The Bears went 10-20 (6-10 SoCon) last season with a 2-10 record on the road. Mercer returned third-year setter Sammi Bergjans who led the team in assists (539) and service aces (43).
Scouting North Alabama
First meeting between the two programs.
Troy prepares to face North Alabama for the first time in program history on Saturday. The Lions ended the 2025 season with a 14-16 (8-8 ASUN) record while going 3-9 on the road. North Alabama returns fourth year outside hitter Kendall Barnes, who compiled a team-best 414 kills last season.
Scouting Alabama State
37th meeting: Troy leads the all-time series, 36-0.
The Trojans and Hornets last faced off during the 2024 season when Troy beat Alabama State in three sets. Alabama State is coming off a 2025 campaign in which they went 14-16 (12-4 SWAC) and 6-6 on the road. The Hornets return their leaders in assists (Kamrynn Clay, 818) and blocks (Kaylen Hines, 86) from last season.
Notables
-
The 2026 season marks a decade with head coach Josh Lauer at the helm. In 10 seasons with the Trojans, Lauer has compiled a record of 130-129 and a career record of 170-205.
-
Troy is 15-18 in season openers since moving to the Division I level back in 1993. Under Lauer, the Trojans hold a 3-6 season-opener record, with five of the six losses coming from power conference programs.
-
The Trojans are set to face four teams this season that finished the 2025 slate ranked inside the top 100 of the final NCAA RPI rankings. Those teams include Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, FAU, and Florida.
