GREENVILLE, S.C. | The Conference Carolinas women's volleyball preseason poll has been released. 

Young Harris College has been picked to finish thirteenth in the conference. 

Emmanuel University, the 2025 Conference Carolinas champion, was selected as the preseason favorite for the 2026 season, earning 10 first-place votes and 216 points. Francis Marion University followed closely behind with six first-place votes and 215 points. The University of North Carolina Pembroke was selected to finish third, followed by North Greenville University in fourth and Converse University in fifth. 

The Mountain Lions return 13 players from last year's team that finished in 15th place in the Conference Carolinas. They open the 2026 season Aug. 28-29 at Kentucky State University, where they will compete in a tournament with Georgetown College, Shawnee State University, Kentucky Wesleyan College and the host Thorobreds. The Mountain Lions will play at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the opening day.