Fisk Women’s Volleyball Eyes HBCU Athletic Conference Title For 2026 After Historic 29–8 Season

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By David Oglesby

NASHVILLE, TN - FISK UNIVERSITY women’s volleyball is entering the 2026 fall season with momentum, confidence and a team built to win.

The Lady Bulldogs are ranked to finish first in the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) East Division, a preseason expectation that reflects what the program showed last year—when it compiled an overall record of 29–8 (.784) and went 10–0 (.1000) in conference play. Even as the team’s growth continues, the performance has already become part of the identity of Fisk volleyball: disciplined, consistent, and built for high-pressure moments.

That standard was on full display across 2025, when Fisk’s results were matched by the way the team played the game. Across the season, the Lady Bulldogs totaled 1,515 kills, averaging 11.93 kills per set, while maintaining strong offensive efficiency with a .207 hitting percentage. On the serving side, Fisk delivered 295 service aces and held down errors—finishing with 260 service errors, while building pressure that made opponents earn every point.

Fisk’s game is not powered by one moment—it’s built on match-to-match consistency. The Lady Bulldogs also demonstrated balance on every stage, going 10–2 at home, 10–2 away, and 9–4 in neutral-site matches—a resume that turned heads and established the program as a serious national contender.

“Consistency is a big goal for us,” Fisk head coach Jessica Enderle said in interviews during a recent preseason preparation. “We want to maintain that upward trajectory. Last year, we had some really good moments of high competition, and sometimes we may have dropped a little bit. Right now, our goal is to kind of maintain that upward trajectory.”

Enderle emphasized that Fisk is not approaching the season with fear or hesitation—especially against the level of competition the program has intentionally scheduled. A key part of that plan is a preseason stretch that challenges Fisk against top non-conference opponents. The coach described a “stacked preseason schedule,” including matchups against opponents that reached the NCAA/NAIA National Tournament or were ranked in the top 25 the previous year.

The preseason slate is designed to do more than sharpen skills—it’s meant to raise standards. Enderle added that after reaching the national stage last season, the program’s next goal is to keep pushing. “Our goal is to get into, you know, top 30,” she said, framing 2026 as a season built on progression.

Leadership will be a major factor in how Fisk handles that pressure. The roster is described as “senior heavy,” with experienced voices expected to guide younger players as the team enters tougher matchups. Players also spoke about maturity and responsibility—how the team has learned that success isn’t just about high swings or standout plays, but about each player executing a role at the right time.

Senior Reagan Jones, an outside hitter, said she’s excited because of the team’s maturity and the way the pieces fit together. “We have so much maturity on our team,” Jones said. “We have so many moving pieces, and all the pieces of the puzzle piece that we’ve been looking for are coming together.”

Jones also highlighted how her approach has evolved from being primarily a high-volume attacker to becoming more complete as a leader. She described learning to trust teammates and spread the offense—something that became especially noticeable against stronger opponents.

Senior Shelby Chamblin echoed that mindset while emphasizing mental growth. “Big expectations,” Chamblin said, adding that the team is entering the season prepared to work hard and compete immediately. She also pointed to the importance of mental steadiness, explaining that she’s intentionally challenging herself to relax and enjoy her final season rather than chasing perfection every play.

The Lady Bulldogs open the preseason with a slate that began yesterday in an exhibition at Tennessee Tech (Saturday, Aug. 8). Action continues next weekend with matches and tournaments at sites including Cumberland University (Lebanon, TN) in the Phoenix Classic against Rio Grande, Columbia International, and preseason NAIA No. 1 powerhouse Eastern Oregon. These early contests will test where the team is and where it needs to be as the season progresses.

For a program coming off a campaign defined by an undefeated conference record, the high expectations don’t just stay on paper—they follow the team onto the court. Armed with a national preseason ranking, dominance in conference play, and a veteran leadership group determined to raise the bar, Fisk volleyball is ready for the season it has built toward - one designed to turn recent success into lasting tradition.