Georgia Southern Volleyball Sets Sights on 2026 Season
8/25/2026 12:37:00 PM | Volleyball
STATESBORO - The 2026 Georgia Southern volleyball team is returning nearly every player from last year. For head coach Chad Willis, this summer was the smoothest it's ever been — a five-week stretch where the Eagles learned to work like pros. After months of player-led practices, conditioning, and steady growth, the team is ready to open the season on one of college volleyball's most iconic stages: Hawaii.
With a veteran roster and a clear vision, Georgia Southern isn't talking about if they can compete for a Sun Belt championship — they're building the daily habits to do it. The Eagles' preseason focus wasn't on setting traditional goals, but on preparing to handle the inevitable obstacles that come with a long season. As Willis put it, they're keeping "the main thing the main thing," and letting consistency lead the way.
Breaking the Season into Five Phases
Instead of putting a list of goals on the wall, Willis and his staff divided the year into five phases: preseason, non-conference, the first half of Sun Belt play, the second half of league play, and the postseason. The idea is simple — learn something about the team's identity in every phase, then swipe the slate clean and start fresh. "Hopefully one, we're learning something about who we are and what we're about from an identity standpoint every single phase," Willis said.
Each phase comes with its own theme and expectations, defined by the players. That ownership has given the group a sense of control and clarity. "It creates another level of ownership within our team because this is not me," Willis said. "They're defining those [phases]."
The team has already moved through the first phase — building in preseason and are heading towards the second phase, stacking good days in non-conference — and will carry those lessons into Sun Belt play. The Eagles' first test comes in Hawaii, where they'll face some of the nation's premier programs. For Willis, it's the perfect way to begin the next phase of the season and keep momentum rolling.
Exhibitions Showed the Eagles Are Ahead of Schedule
Georgia Southern's two preseason exhibitions — one at Jacksonville and another on the road in South Carolina — gave the staff a chance to see the team against outside competition and evaluate the new 6-2 offensive system. Willis said he left those matches feeling optimistic, especially given the experience level at setter with Bella and Lexi. "I think we actually might be a little better or even ahead of where I anticipated us being," he said.
Watching film afterward reinforced that belief. The Eagles saw tangible evidence that the things they'd emphasized in practice were showing up in matches, and they identified a few areas to fine-tune. "Really happy with where we're at coming on both sides of those exhibition matches," Willis said.
The exhibitions also provided valuable reps for newcomers and returning players in new roles. Early enrollee Bella Ekeler, along with Beka Pfefferkorn and Grace Thomas, have all made immediate impacts — whether through production on the floor or leadership in the gym. Willis said the group's connectedness has been one of the team's greatest strengths, and that cohesion is fueling steady growth.
Cared For. Counted On.
Ask Willis to describe the program's culture, and he'll point to a simple phrase he borrowed from First Baptist Church in downtown Statesboro: Cared for and Counted on. "To be part of Georgia Southern volleyball means you're going to be cared for," he said. "But on the flip side of that, you better bring it every single day because we're trying to do hard things here."
That balance — between support and accountability — has shaped one of the most connected teams Willis has had in his eight years at Georgia Southern. In beginning-of-semester meetings, players spoke openly about the strength of their relationships and the clarity of their roles. "The level of connectedness within this group in and of itself is probably one of our biggest assets going into the year," Willis said.
It's an environment where everyone, from veterans to newcomers, understands what the team needs from them. Grace's voice and leadership have been invaluable, especially within her position group. Bella and Beka have embraced significant roles, and the rest of the roster has rallied around them. As Willis put it, "We want to count on you to bring that best every single day."
Looking Ahead
With the season opener in Hawaii, the Eagles have a chance to test themselves against elite competition right away. The trip will set the tone for a fall built on daily consistency, shared ownership, and a belief that the program's first Sun Belt championship is within reach.
Georgia Southern isn't promising perfection — they're embracing the process. Through five defined phases, a player-driven culture, and a team that feels both cared for and counted on, the Eagles are ready to take the next step.
With a veteran roster and a clear vision, Georgia Southern isn't talking about if they can compete for a Sun Belt championship — they're building the daily habits to do it. The Eagles' preseason focus wasn't on setting traditional goals, but on preparing to handle the inevitable obstacles that come with a long season. As Willis put it, they're keeping "the main thing the main thing," and letting consistency lead the way.
Breaking the Season into Five Phases
Instead of putting a list of goals on the wall, Willis and his staff divided the year into five phases: preseason, non-conference, the first half of Sun Belt play, the second half of league play, and the postseason. The idea is simple — learn something about the team's identity in every phase, then swipe the slate clean and start fresh. "Hopefully one, we're learning something about who we are and what we're about from an identity standpoint every single phase," Willis said.
Each phase comes with its own theme and expectations, defined by the players. That ownership has given the group a sense of control and clarity. "It creates another level of ownership within our team because this is not me," Willis said. "They're defining those [phases]."
The team has already moved through the first phase — building in preseason and are heading towards the second phase, stacking good days in non-conference — and will carry those lessons into Sun Belt play. The Eagles' first test comes in Hawaii, where they'll face some of the nation's premier programs. For Willis, it's the perfect way to begin the next phase of the season and keep momentum rolling.
Exhibitions Showed the Eagles Are Ahead of Schedule
Georgia Southern's two preseason exhibitions — one at Jacksonville and another on the road in South Carolina — gave the staff a chance to see the team against outside competition and evaluate the new 6-2 offensive system. Willis said he left those matches feeling optimistic, especially given the experience level at setter with Bella and Lexi. "I think we actually might be a little better or even ahead of where I anticipated us being," he said.
Watching film afterward reinforced that belief. The Eagles saw tangible evidence that the things they'd emphasized in practice were showing up in matches, and they identified a few areas to fine-tune. "Really happy with where we're at coming on both sides of those exhibition matches," Willis said.
The exhibitions also provided valuable reps for newcomers and returning players in new roles. Early enrollee Bella Ekeler, along with Beka Pfefferkorn and Grace Thomas, have all made immediate impacts — whether through production on the floor or leadership in the gym. Willis said the group's connectedness has been one of the team's greatest strengths, and that cohesion is fueling steady growth.
Cared For. Counted On.
Ask Willis to describe the program's culture, and he'll point to a simple phrase he borrowed from First Baptist Church in downtown Statesboro: Cared for and Counted on. "To be part of Georgia Southern volleyball means you're going to be cared for," he said. "But on the flip side of that, you better bring it every single day because we're trying to do hard things here."
That balance — between support and accountability — has shaped one of the most connected teams Willis has had in his eight years at Georgia Southern. In beginning-of-semester meetings, players spoke openly about the strength of their relationships and the clarity of their roles. "The level of connectedness within this group in and of itself is probably one of our biggest assets going into the year," Willis said.
It's an environment where everyone, from veterans to newcomers, understands what the team needs from them. Grace's voice and leadership have been invaluable, especially within her position group. Bella and Beka have embraced significant roles, and the rest of the roster has rallied around them. As Willis put it, "We want to count on you to bring that best every single day."
Looking Ahead
With the season opener in Hawaii, the Eagles have a chance to test themselves against elite competition right away. The trip will set the tone for a fall built on daily consistency, shared ownership, and a belief that the program's first Sun Belt championship is within reach.
Georgia Southern isn't promising perfection — they're embracing the process. Through five defined phases, a player-driven culture, and a team that feels both cared for and counted on, the Eagles are ready to take the next step.
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, August 25
Monday, August 24
Saturday, August 22
Thursday, August 20
