MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Montevallo Volleyball team is set to open the 2025 campaign this weekend at the Bahama House Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla. The Falcons will take on Embry-Riddle and Sioux Falls on Friday, Sept. 5, before battling Flagler and No. 6 MSU Denver on Saturday.

"The preseason has gone really well," said head coach Haven O'Quinn, who enters her third year at the helm of the Falcons. "We have girls who give a lot of energy, a lot of effort. Both have been consistent in the gym."

Montevallo was tabbed sixth in the 2025 Gulf South Conference Preseason Poll after finishing 8-12 in league play a season ago. Following three weekend events to open the season, the Falcons will begin GSC action on Sept. 23 in Livingston against West Alabama. Prior to conference play, UM is scheduled to face a top-10 team in MSU Denver, along with three programs receiving votes in the AVCA Preseason Poll: Embry-Riddle, Lander, and Flagler.

"It is the best I have felt as a coach here at Montevallo," O'Quinn said when asked about the team's chemistry and leadership. "We have a roster full of returners in the sophomore class, and I think they realize that leadership does not have to be just seniors and that they have a lot of experience."

"Our culture and connection with the team have grown so much since last season," said sophomore setter Blakeley Robbins. "I love the culture and the closeness."

Montevallo brings in five newcomers in 2025, including three freshmen and a pair of transfers. Mallory Hulsey and Lily Erdal were named to the GSC Newcomer Watchlist, with both expected to make major impacts in their debut seasons. Birmingham native Mae Mae Beatty rounds out a talented group of freshmen, while Delaney Sisson and Tam Nguyen join the Falcons after spending 2024 at Bryan College and Alabama A&M, respectively. Lilly Singleton is slated to make her Falcon debut this season after redshirting in 2024.

The Falcons return several key pieces from last year's club, highlighted by 2024 GSC Freshman of the Year and All-GSC Second Team selection Nikol Antova. The Vidin, Bulgaria native was named to the Preseason All-GSC Team after leading UM with 319 kills in 26 matches. A loaded sophomore class of Blakeley Robbins, Ava Wind, Eliza Tyrrell, Kate Wilkin, and Katie Wilkerson all return ready to improve on solid freshmen campaigns in 2024.

"Blakeley (Robbins) carried a lot for us last year as a freshman," said O'Quinn regarding players expected to take on bigger roles this season. "She has a very good line and balance of working hard and being intentional with what she is doing, but she is also very comfortable and easy to be around."

Senior Danielle Greene was also someone that O'Quinn noted as someone primed to take the next step in 2025. "I saw (her leadership) in a big way last year in the conference tournament at Lee. Her behavior and demeanor were different that night," said O'Quinn. "She was very confident and controlled." Greene totaled a team-leading 129.0 blocks and 179 kills last season.

Veterans Ellise Hanson, Maggie McColley, and Morgan Netcott are back after providing steady production off the bench a season ago. Hanson recorded 19 kills and eight digs, while McColley tallied 74 kills, 10 digs, and 12.0 blocks. Netcott had 66 digs in 23 matches played in 2024.

"It is going to be exciting to watch because of the energy that we bring," said Greene. "It is always loud in the gym. We get more excited for each other than we do for ourselves."

The Falcons' home opener is set for Sept. 26 when they host Trevecca inside Central State Bank Arena. Senior Night is slated for Nov. 14 when UM plays host to UAH for a 6:00 PM match to cap the regular season.
 
Friday's season opener against Embry-Riddle is set for 11:15 AM CT and will be streamed live here.