Explore every episode of the podcast Ladyjack Volleyball 2026 Season Diary

This diary entry reminds - or introduces you, as the case may be, to RPI - a ranking system using team schedules, opponent schedules and other factors to sort through all 348 NCAA Division 1 programs. The RPI isn't officially released until October, but a look into how these RPI's project lends some support to the thought that we may experience a "slightly down" year for Southland Volleyball. We take a look at what that might mean for a historically strong program like SFA.

Katherine Holtman and Jordan Henderson, both juniors for SFA Volleyball, discuss the balance between being an athlete, a student, a friend and other roles that all of our lives must take on at times. Each of Kat and Jordan break down a typical "day-in-the-life" of the student-athlete and discuss things they've become better at in terms of life balance and efficiency. Take a listen to this truly "behind what you see on the court" type discussion with two of our veterans and leaders at SFA Volleyball.

The 'Jacks won two out of three during the trip to Abilene and got some really nice perfromances from Katherine Holtman, Molly Cravens, Avery Koonsen and Kennedy Jones, just to name a few. We recap Week 4 focusing on the highlights while looking forward to consistency and increased effective connections between setters and middles as we move into conference play.

Week 3 saw the Jacks go 2-2 and on quite the rollercoaster ride from match to match. There were highs against UT-Arlington and a good portion of the Sam Houston matches, but that match against North Texas was one that we'd like to forget. Listen in as we ask questions concerning Week 4 and hit the highlights and recap reasons for confidence going forward.

In this truly informative entry, SFA Associate Head Coach Madi Hicks discusses the training of serving including teaching players to listen to what their bodies are doing while serving from a biomechanical standpoint. We also get into analyzing serving efficiency and scouting defenders for the purpose of serving protocols in preparing for matches and making adjustments during them.

Sam Houston State head coach Brenda Gray has been in charge of Bearkat Volleyball for 43 seasons. As a rival and yet a mentor, it was a pleasure to sit and chat with Coach Gray before the SFA/SHSU match on September 8, 2026.

In this Week 2 breakdown, we recap the matches against Loyola-Chicago and Cal while looking forward to four matches in five days. In this entry, we focus on offensive efficiency and the need for all aspects of the offense to continue to take strides forward. We also talk about the possibility of needing our depth since we face a four-match week. Overall, the theme is moving from good to great with an offense that shows potential as it is still a work in progress during the pre-conference part of the schedule.

Avery Koonsen and Erin Goodson played their club volleyball together in the Greater Houston area. Koonsen and Goodson now find themselves as freshmen teammates for SFA. In this diary entry, we explore both the benefits and often mentioned issues associated with the club experience: cost, travel, affect on the HS game, overuse and specialization, parental pressure, as well as other dimensions.

Graduate Setter Madi Zorn and Seniors Cambry Saul and Caroline Kahle join me on the bus ride to Wichita, KS to discuss how to pass time during travel and do's/don'ts of long bus rides to matches. You're sure to learn something new in this hilarious breakdown of how we get from Point A to Point B all together in large travel buses.

Let's break down the three match weekend in Wichita. There were plenty of exciting and positive things to think on as we get ready for the home opening matches against Loyola-Chicago and Cal. Lots of mixing and matching during the weekend, and it ended on a positive note. Listen in as I break down the matches and player uses and we all see positive trends heading into Week 2.

In this first episode, I'll explain why this isn't just your typical sports "podcast" and give you a little background on myself so that you'll be ready to enjoy all the ways that this diary will connect you to the 'Jacks 2026 season.