LEBANON, TN - Cumberland University Women’s Volleyball officially kicked off its 2026 campaign at the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena over the weekend, hosting the Phoenix Classic and emerging with a 2-2 record. Featuring a revamped roster that blends proven veteran leadership with high-IQ newcomers, the Phoenix showcased both early-season grit and glimpses of a high-ceiling roster. Cumberland opened the tournament in dramatic fashion on Friday, picking up a pair of victories. The Phoenix swept Rio Grande in straight sets, capped by an intense 38-36 marathon third frame. Later that afternoon, Cumberland rallied from a late five-set deficit to edge Columbia International 3-2. Junior transfer Regan Eigenrauch made an immediate impact in her Phoenix debut, leading the attack with a team-high 17 kills on opening day. Returning Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year Carlee Rogers directed the offense, dishing out 80 assists over the first two matches while adding 24 digs. Saturday presented a steeper challenge against top-tier competition. Cumberland dropped a straight-set decision to national powerhouse No. 2 Eastern Oregon, despite efficient offensive moments from Carola Schnidrig and Liberty Shadix. The Phoenix then wrapped up the tournament with a 3-0 loss to a sharp Fisk squad. Defensively, libero Kaleigh Glass anchored the backline throughout the weekend, racking up 19 digs in two separate matches. Despite the Saturday setbacks, head coach Hannah Vadakin—entering her seventh season at the helm—remains highly optimistic about the group's trajectory compared to past squads. "Every year we grow a little bit stronger," Vadakin said. "I would argue this year is probably my highest volleyball IQ team. We’ve had really great athletes, but now we’ve got athletes plus IQ." Picked fourth in a competitive Mid-South Conference pre-season poll, Cumberland heads to Missouri next weekend for a four-match road slate against Central Methodist, St. Ambrose, Tabor, and host Columbia. Check Out on You Tube

NASHVILLE—The Nashville Sounds snapped Indianapolis momentum with a decisive eighth-inning rally Sunday night at First Horizon Park, handing the first-place Indianapolis Indians a 6-4 loss and splitting the series. Luis Matos powered the win with a 4-RBI performance, including a towering 438-foot two-run home run that flipped the game in Nashville’s favor. The shot was the second-furthest homer by a Sounds player this season, behind Eddys Leonard’s 445-foot blast. Indianapolis struck first in the top of the third inning. After a leadoff single and a walk put runners on early, Tyson Hardin managed to record two outs before Johnathan Rodriguez delivered an RBI single to right field. The hit plated Derek Berg and Mitch Jebb, giving the Indians a 2-0 lead. Nashville responded in the bottom half of the third. Ethan Murray and Eduardo Garcia opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and two batters later Bo Naylor lined an RBI single into left field, scoring Murray to cut the deficit to one. The Sounds took their first lead in the fourth. Akil Baddoo reached base on an Indy fielding error, setting the table for Matos. He crushed the 438-foot blast to left, giving Nashville a one-run advantage. One frame later, Naylor added to the lead with a solo home run to make it 4-2. While Nashville saw Indianapolis tie the game in the seventh, the Sounds reclaimed control in the eighth. Will Childers worked a scoreless stretch earlier, and after three straight quiet innings, Blake Burke led off the eighth with a single. Brock Wilken followed with a walk, putting runners in scoring position. Matos then delivered again, lining a two-run triple into the right-field corner to score Burke and Wilken and put Nashville ahead 6-4. Jared Koenig closed the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning for his first save since September 18, 2025. Postgame, the Sounds noted they scored 97 runs in the third inning—more than any other inning through 121 games—and that Matos ended a 26-game homerless drought with Sunday’s go-ahead drive. With Monday off, Nashville begins a six-game road series at Norfolk from August 18-23 before heading to Jacksonville.

NASHVILLE, TN - The Nashville Sounds held a three-run lead through four innings but fell to the Indianapolis Indians 4-3 in 10 innings Saturday night at First Horizon Park, dropping their second extra-inning contest of the week against Indy. Right-hander Brandon Sproat delivered a strong second start for Nashville, tossing five scoreless innings with one hit allowed and a season-high eight strikeouts. He retired 11 of the first 15 batters he faced and escaped a two-out double in the fourth by striking out Joshua Palacios for his seventh punchout of the night. Offense was scarce early as both teams combined for six hitless frames. Nashville broke through in the bottom of the fourth. Brock Wilken walked to lead off, and Jeferson Quero doubled to put him on third. After Luis Matos reached on a fielder’s choice (Wilken out at home), Matos stole second and advanced on a throwing error that scored Quero for a 1-0 lead. Tyler Black walked and stole second while Matos took third, setting up Ethan Murray’s two-run triple to center that made it 3-0. Indianapolis cut into the lead in the sixth against reliever Lyon Richardson. A walk and two singles loaded the bases, and another walk forced in a run. Nick Cimillo’s double-play grounder plated a second run, trimming the Sounds’ advantage to 3-2. The Indians tied the game in the eighth off Gerson Garabito on consecutive doubles by Johnathan Rodriguez and Palacios. In the 10th, Palacios delivered a two-out RBI single off Blake Holub for the go-ahead run. Nashville loaded the bases in the bottom half on walks to Sal Frelick and Wilken, but Blake Burke flied out to center to end the game. Sproat’s outing marked his 16th career start of five-plus scoreless innings and ninth at Triple-A. Murray’s triple was his second of the season and helped the Sounds maintain their International League lead with 33 triples on the year. Nashville fell to 2-8 in extra-inning games this season and was held to five or fewer hits for the 30th time. The Sounds will try to split the series Sunday at 6:05 p.m. Tyson Hardin (3-4, 5.15 ERA) starts for Nashville against Indianapolis left-hander Connor Wietgrefe.

MURFREESBORO, TN - After consecutive 3-9 seasons, Middle Tennessee opened 2026 fall camp with urgency and a clear focus on turning practice habits into results. Head coach Derek Mason stressed the importance of contested plays and defining moments, noting limited opportunities in each game. New offensive coordinator Anthony Scelfo, hired from Southeastern Louisiana, has been impressed by the group’s energy and work ethic. “We’ve got a great group of kids. They love showing up each and every day… Just building a foundation this fall camp,” Scelfo said. “That’s what it’s all about… trying to carry that over and take it into the season.” Quarterback Roman Gagliano, who finished 2025 strong with roughly 1,005 passing yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions after taking over late, is the clear starter. Scelfo praised his command, leadership and the way the team feeds off his energy and smile. Gagliano is locked in on the present. “Last year, it doesn’t matter… focus on the here and now,” he said. “You ready to see a lot of points on the scoreboard.” He also highlighted new offensive line coach Christopher Browne’s early-morning intensity that fires up the unit. On defense, coordinator Brian Stewart is emphasizing consistency against the run and eliminating big plays while ensuring players own and communicate the culture. Camp continues as the Blue Raiders prepare for a Sept. 5 home opener against Murray State, followed by road tests at Marshall, Jacksonville State and Kansas. Every rep is treated as a potential defining moment.

Nashville Goes Deep Four Times, Coleman Crow Spins Gem NASHVILLE, TN – The Sounds turned Friday night into a long-ball showcase, cruising to a commanding 9-1 victory over the Indianapolis Indians to end a two-game slide and even the series through four games. Nashville struck early and often, plating nine runs in the opening stretch while leaning on another strong outing from Coleman Crow, who helped set the tone on the mound all night. The offensive burst got started when Sal Frelick walked on a six-pitch plate appearance to open the game. Moments later, Bo Naylor delivered the first jolt to First Horizon Park, crushing Noah Davis’ offering for a two-run homer that gave Nashville a 2-0 lead. After three consecutive walks loaded the bases, Ethan Murray lifted the Sounds further in front with a two-out, two-RBI single, pushing the score to 4-0. Naylor was far from done. The slugger wasted no time again, launching his second home run in as many at-bats—his eighth career multi-homer game—to make it 5-0. A couple batters later, Akil Baddoo cleared the fence for a solo shot, his first since June 20, stretching the advantage to 6-0. By the time the third inning rolled around, Nashville had built a huge lead through patience and power. After two-out walks continued to keep the pressure on, the Sounds’ home run barrage continued when Frelick—continuing his hot rehab stretch—delivered Nashville’s fourth homer of the first three innings, sending the lead to nine. Naylor finished with 2-for-5, including two home runs and three RBI. Tyler Black also contributed with a multi-hit effort and a walk. Frelick and Naylor each drove in three runs, while Murray added two as Nashville’s lineup did damage up and down the card. On the pitching side, Crow provided the steady counterpunch. The right-hander worked 6.2 innings, yielding two hitswithout allowing a run. Crow struck out six and issued one walk to earn a season-high quality effort, extending his impressive run of strong starts. Kaleb Bowman and Will Childers closed things out, combining to finish the final innings. Indianapolis did not go quietly, getting its only run late when Enmanuel Valdez launched a one-out solo homer in the ninth to break up the shutout bid. Still, Nashville’s early explosion proved more than enough. The Sounds and Indians meet again Saturday night at First Horizon Park, with RHP Brandon Sproat scheduled to face LHP Hunter Barco. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.

LEBANON, TN - Fisk University women’s volleyball opened the 2026 Phoenix Classic with a commanding 3-0 sweep of Rio Grande on Friday, then faced a far tougher test against preseason No. 2 Eastern Oregon later in the day at Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. Against Rio Grande, the Bulldogs controlled every set, winning 25-20, 25-19 and 25-17. Fisk hit .269 as a team with 41 kills on 108 attempts while limiting the RedStorm to a .080 attack percentage. Shelby Chamblin led the way with 12 kills, 13 digs, two aces and three block assists for 15.5 points. Laila Esters added nine kills on .444 hitting, La’Niyah Lumpkin contributed eight kills on an efficient .500 clip along with five total blocks, and Reagan Jones chipped in six kills. Setter Kaia Barnett directed the offense with 36 assists, nine digs and three total blocks. The victory provided early momentum before Fisk stepped up in competition level against Eastern Oregon, a program that saw seven teams from its conference reach the NAIA National Tournament a year ago. “I told the girls just a little bit ago that I didn’t know what to expect,” the Fisk coach said after the Eastern Oregon match. “Eastern Oregon — they had seven teams come out of their conference and go to the National Tournament last year. And it’s not something that we typically see match to match. And so I was just curious to see how they were going to react. And I think they reacted very well. I think we held them all match. They had to fight. They had to work. So I’m incredibly impressed with the team that showed up on our side tonight.” The coach described the contest as tight and competitive throughout, praising the Bulldogs for forcing a top-ranked opponent to earn every point. Looking at the early portion of the season, the staff sees clear progress. “I feel like we’re improving,” the coach said. “We’ve scheduled a really tough preseason, and for us it’s to gain experience. That’s the level we want to be at… The only way that we’re going to be able to compete at that level is to see and go up against that level. So I think as long as we just continue to improve match to match, I’m really, really [pleased].” After the Eastern Oregon match, the focus shifted to recovery and preparation. “I told them to make sure they’re taking care of their recovery, told them to make sure they’re hydrating, getting to sleep on time… For us coaches, we’ve got a long night of film ahead of us.” The coach also noted the mix of veteran leaders and younger players still building confidence on a split roster. Fisk closes the Phoenix Classic on Saturday with matches against Columbia International and host Cumberland. The Bulldogs then have a scrimmage at Trevecca on Tuesday before traveling to the Onset Invitational in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where they will face ranked teams including Missouri Baptist, Marion and Bellevue. “I’m just really proud of how my girls showed up today,” the coach said. “This is not something that we get to experience a lot in our conference. And so just to see how they handled it and just fought from point one to the last whistle — I’m very proud of them.”

LEBANON, Tenn. — Cumberland University women’s volleyball opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion Friday, sweeping University of Rio Grande 25-20, 25-19, 38-36 before rallying past Columbia International 25-23, 19-25, 25-21, 23-25, 15-13 in a five-set thriller at Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. The Phoenix finished opening day of the Phoenix Classic 2-0. Junior outside hitter Regan Eigenrauch, in her Cumberland debut after transferring from Shawnee Community College, led the morning win with 17 kills on .417 hitting. Setter Carlee Rogers contributed eight kills without an error, 33 assists, 11 digs and three block assists. The Phoenix totaled 50 kills, 11 aces and five blocks while hitting .237. Libero Kaleigh Glass added 19 digs and four aces. Carola Schnidrig posted a double-double with 10 kills and 13 digs. Hailey Jones had eight kills. Cumberland built early leads in the first two sets before surviving a 74-point third-set marathon featuring 23 ties. After Rio Grande led 36-35, Rogers tied it, Liberty Shadix blocked for the lead, and Lydia Cox served an ace to close the 38-36 sweep. In the afternoon, Schnidrig led with 18 kills and 21 digs. Shadix added 10 kills on .375 hitting and six blocks. Rogers dished 47 assists with 13 digs. Cumberland finished with 61 kills, 80 digs, eight blocks and 12 aces while holding CIU to a .148 attack percentage. Cox served seven aces without an error. After dropping the second and fourth sets, Cumberland trailed 13-9 in the fifth. A Hubbell kill, Shadix block and kills, a Schnidrig kill and a Shadix-Hubbell block completed a six-point run for the 15-13 comeback victory. Head coach Hannah Vadakin, in her seventh season as head coach, noted the challenge of integrating four newcomers after graduating seven players. “We spent a lot of time in the spring building culture,” she said. “This is just an amazing group of women. They do a really good job of caring for one another.” She called it her highest-IQ team yet, combining athletic talent with court awareness. Eigenrauch described the environment as family-like. “I knew none of these girls coming in, and it feels like I’ve known them for my whole life,” she said after being named player of the game. “Everybody’s connected. There’s no bad moments.” Cumberland was picked fourth in the Mid-South Conference preseason poll. The Phoenix face No. 2 Eastern Oregon at 2 p.m. Saturday, then Fisk in the nightcap to close the Classic.

MURFREESBORO, TN - Middle Tennessee State football opened fall camp with renewed energy and a clear sense of purpose, aiming to reverse consecutive 3-9 seasons under head coach Derek Mason. The Blue Raiders, now in year three of the Mason era, are leaning on a new offensive coordinator, a rising quarterback, and a defense focused on fundamentals as they prepare for a 2026 schedule that begins at home against Murray State on Sept. 5. Last season ended with a 3-9 overall record and 2-6 mark in Conference USA. The Blue Raiders closed with two wins in their final three games after Roman Gagliano took over at quarterback. That late surge has carried into camp, where Gagliano is the clear starter and the program’s centerpiece. New offensive coordinator Anthony Scelfo, hired in December from Southeastern Louisiana, has praised the group’s attitude and the quarterback’s leadership. “We’ve got a great group of kids. They love showing up each and every day. They love football,” Scelfo said. “Just building a foundation, you know, this fall camp, right? And that’s what it’s all about… trying to carry that over and take it into the season.” Scelfo highlighted Gagliano’s growth and presence. “From the first day you met him, just the energy, the smile, the excitement. He loves the game first and foremost. He loves the quarterback position… The command, the leadership, the energy that he has, and the whole team feeds off it. When the defense looks out there and he’s got the ball in his hands, you feel good… I’m lucky to walk into a situation with a quarterback like that.” Gagliano, who completed 78 of 135 passes for 1,005 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions in limited action last year while adding rushing production, is focused on the present. “Last year, it doesn’t matter… what we did or what I did. I think the biggest thing is focus on the here and now… You ready to see a lot of points on the scoreboard.” He credited the offensive line and coach Christopher Browne for creating a positive environment. “If I gotta hand the ball off 40 times a game, I’ll do it… It starts with coach Brown… He comes out at 6:50 in the morning… just loudest he can be, getting those guys fired up.” Gagliano also noted his own preparation improvements, arriving early to stretch and recover, and bonding with a mostly new offensive line group through weekly hangouts and movies. Defensively, assistant head coach and coordinator Brian Stewart is emphasizing consistency and run stopping ahead of the opener against Murray State. “The biggest challenge we have is consistently stop the run… no matter who lines up in front of us. We can stop the run, eliminate the big plays.” Stewart praised the unit’s attitude and noted progress with returning pieces and new contributors, stressing the need to speak the players’ language and use veterans to relay messages. The 2026 schedule features six home games, including Nevada, Delaware, Kennesaw State, Western Kentucky, and New Mexico State, plus road tests at Marshall, Jacksonville State, Kansas, FIU, Liberty, and Sam Houston. Camp is centered on building habits so that “the scoreboard will tell you how you played… and you kind of approach practice that way,” as Scelfo put it. With practices underway and the season roughly three weeks away, the Blue Raiders are treating every session as preparation for sustained improvement. The foundation is being laid one practice at a time.

NASHVILLE, TN - The Nashville Sounds dropped game two of a six-game series against the Indianapolis Indians on Wednesday night at First Horizon Park, falling 4-3 despite another strong performance from Sal Frelick during his Major League rehab assignment. Frelick reached base four times, going 1-for-2 with a double, two walks, and a hit by pitch, including a third straight game with a hit. Still, Nashville stranded 11 runners in the loss, and Indianapolis held on to take the early advantage in the series. Indianapolis jumped out quickly in the first inning, scoring two runs on back-to-back home runs off Sounds starter Colton Gordon. Nick Yorke started the surge with consecutive blasts, then added another solo homer in the third to extend the Indians’ lead to 3-0. Gordon finished with 6.1 innings, allowing four runs on seven strikeouts, but Nashville’s bats couldn’t fully catch up early despite frequent baserunners. The Sounds finally broke through offensively in the fourth inning. Tyler Black drew a leadoff walk, and Frelick followed with a two-out hustle double to keep the inning alive. Bo Naylor then delivered with a two-RBI single, scoring both runs to cut Indianapolis’ lead to one at 3-2. Nashville had another opportunity to tie in the eighth but came up short after setting up runners. However, the Sounds added a run in the eighth as well when Luis Matos drew a walk, Black was hit by a pitch, and Ethan Murray reached on an error. Eduardo Garcia’s sacrifice fly to right field scored Matos, trimming the deficit again to 4-3. Grant Anderson worked around trouble in the top of the ninth, and Nashville mounted a late comeback attempt. A single by Blake Burke put the tying run aboard, but a double play erased the threat, and Akil Baddoo struck out to end the rally. Even with the loss, Nashville and Indianapolis continue the series Thursday night at First Horizon Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

NASHVILLE, TN - The Fisk University women’s volleyball team is ready to build on last year’s breakthrough after a 29-8 campaign that included a perfect 10-0 conference mark and the program’s first trip to the NAIA National Tournament. Coach Jessica Enderle has stacked a demanding preseason schedule that features 11 teams that either reached the NAIA tournament or ranked in the top 25 a year ago. The Lady Bulldogs open play Friday, August 14 at the Phoenix Classic hosted by Cumberland University, facing Cumberland, CIU, Rio Grande, and NAIA powerhouse Eastern Oregon—a team that spent much of last season ranked No. 1. “One of our goals is to try to push the envelope a little bit,” Enderle said. “Now that we’ve achieved one goal of getting to the National Tournament, our goal is to get into the top 30.” The roster returns two All-Americans in seniors Reagan Jones (2024) and Shelby Chamblin (2025). Both say the team’s maturity and senior leadership have set a high standard. “We have so much maturity on our team… We have everything we need to succeed this year,” Jones said. “Having six seniors has really set the expectation high for the legacy we want to leave.” Chamblin added that the close-knit environment at Fisk feels like family and that the group is approaching the season with “all gas, no brakes.” Enderle emphasized consistency as the key focus after last year’s high moments mixed with occasional drops. The Lady Bulldogs begin that push this weekend against some of the toughest competition in the NAIA. For more check out video on You Tube

NASHVILLE, TN - Akil Baddoo delivered a walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday night, lifting the Nashville Sounds to a 6-5 victory over the Indianapolis Indians at First Horizon Park. The Sounds manufactured the winning run after the game was tied at 5-5 entering the final frame. Newly promoted first baseman Blake Burke, who made his Triple-A debut after being called up from Double-A Biloxi, reached base and later scored the decisive run. Burke, a former University of Tennessee Volunteer and member of the 2024 national championship team, finished 0-for-2 with two walks, one hit-by-pitch and two runs scored in five plate appearances. Baddoo, who remained involved throughout the contest, provided the game-ending contact that secured the victory. The win opens a six-game series between the clubs. The Sounds return to First Horizon Park on Wednesday for Game 2, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Cumberland University football is officially in fall camp, and the Phoenix are setting the tone early with a message that’s simple—but demanding. Head coach Mathis says elite teams don’t chase individual headlines. They play for each other, especially when the game is on the line. The report highlights how that mindset is building momentum. Cumberland closed last season 7–4, including an undefeated record at home, and carried that production into camp with an identity built around confidence, discipline, and fast, hard competition. Coach Mathis also points to what makes the program successful at Nokes-Lasater Field—treating the home crowd like a true “12th man.” With continuity on both sides of the ball, the focus in camp isn’t reinvention, it’s refinement: nine of 11 returning on offense, and nine of 11 returning on defense. There are also key battles ahead, including offensive line and running back roles, quarterback growth with Jake Parker, and a defense built to create chaos. Want the full breakdown? Check out the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7KK7IaCvKKc

MEMPHIS, TN - Nashville’s season continued to hinge on late-game execution Sunday afternoon, but the Nashville Sounds fell short in their series finale against the Memphis Redbirds, dropping a 7-3 decision at AutoZone Park to split the set in the Bluff City. The loss marked a difficult Nashville debut for right-hander Brandon Sproat, who took the defeat as he made his first Triple-A start of the season. Memphis struck early against Sproat, with Nolan Gorman launching a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the first inning—his third of the series. The Redbirds continued to press, tagging Sproat again in the third with a pair of singles that paved the way for another run. Though Nashville’s starter worked through traffic, Memphis kept finding ways to turn baserunners into momentum. Sproat’s final frame proved costly. After the Redbirds used a busy mix of baserunners and aggressive running, Nashville unraveled in the fourth inning as Memphis built a commanding 6-0 lead. The inning featured multiple singles, a walk, an error, and a wild pitch, along with three stolen bases that helped keep pressure on Sproat and pushed his day to an end. Despite the offensive struggles, Nashville received a spark in the eighth inning. Eduardo Garcia finished 2-for-3 with a run scored and accounted for half of the Sounds’ hits. Singles by Garcia and Sal Frelick put runners on the corners before Brock Wilken recorded a sacrifice fly to end Memphis’s shutout bid. Then Akil Baddoo walked, setting the table for Luke Adams—and Akil Baddoo’s presence helped set the stage as Memphis regained control. Still, Memphis answered again with a run in the bottom of the eighth to restore separation. The Sounds will return to First Horizon Park for a six-game series beginning Tuesday, August 11, against the Indianapolis Indians. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

MEMPHIS, TN – A late-game clutch hit provided all the dynamic energy the Nashville Sounds needed on Saturday night, as Milwaukee Brewers prospect Brock Wilken delivered a go-ahead three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to lift Nashville to a 5-3 victory over the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park. The win extended the Sounds' winning streak to three games and guaranteed them at least a series split heading into Sunday's finale. Right-hander Garrett Stallings made the start for Nashville on his 29th birthday, tossing four innings, striking out seven, and allowing two runs on five hits. Memphis broke through in the third inning after a leadoff triple, taking an early advantage on an RBI single. Nashville answered back in the top of the fourth when Luke Adams launched a solo home run—his team-leading 13th of the season—to even the game at 1–1. Memphis reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the frame courtesy of a solo shot by Ramon Urias, who finished 2-for-2 on the night. Relievers Kaleb Bowman and MLB rehabber Joel Kuhnel kept the Redbirds' bats dormant through the middle innings, keeping the score held at 2-1 heading into the eighth. The game swung dramatically in the top of the eighth. After Bo Naylor reached first base on a dropped third strike to keep the inning alive, Wilken capitalized on the opportunity. The third baseman line-drived a shot over the left-field wall, driving in three runs for his team-leading eighth go-ahead home run of the season to put the Sounds ahead 4-2. Baseball America In the bottom of the ninth, Carlos Rodriguez navigated a late Memphis threat—which included a solo shot by Urias and a walk—to induce a game-ending groundout, locking down his fourth career save. Nashville will look to clinch the series victory on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m., with right-hander Brandon Sproat set to make his Sounds debut on the mound.

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.

MEMPHIS, TN - The Nashville Sounds evened their series in Memphis with a 5–3 victory on Friday night at AutoZone Park, handing the Redbirds a late-game scare before closing it out for a second straight win. Jeferson Quero delivered the headline moment, launching his first career grand slam in the top of the first inning—then Nashville’s bullpen and defense held firm as Memphis rallied late. The Sounds wasted little time creating separation. After loading the bases in the opening frame on a Bo Naylor double, a Luke Adams walk, and catcher's interference drawing up Akil Baddoo, Quero stepped to the plate with one out. Facing Brewers left-hander Quinn Mathews, Quero went to work on the very first pitch he saw, sending a long ball over the left-center field wall to give Nashville a four-run cushion. Brett Wichrowski started for the Sounds and set the tone early with two hitless innings. Jack Seppings then took over in relief and earned his second straight win. Seppings worked around a pair of hits and a couple of walks, striking out two while going 3.2 innings scoreless. Nashville stretched the lead further in the sixth inning. Eric Brown Jr. began the frame with a single, swiped second, and advanced to third on an errant throw. Adams later cashed in with a sacrifice fly to make it 5–0. Memphis finally found traction in the eighth. After Seppings’ night ended, Will Childers recorded a pair of quick outs before the Redbirds chipped away. Grant Anderson allowed a single, followed by another knock, and Joshua Baez then launched a three-run homer to cut the deficit to 5–3. The Redbirds’ comeback charge stalled when the inning ended on a second strikeout with two outs. In the ninth, Blake Holub closed the door. After striking out his first two batters, he allowed a two-out single to keep the tying run on base, but a final line drive was caught by Ethan Murray to end the game and secure Holub’s fourth save. The series continues Saturday night with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m., featuring Nashville’s Garrett Stallings versus former Brewers farmhand Mason Molina.