CLINTON, Miss. – The Mississippi College volleyball team earned a tie for fourth place in the 2025 Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, the league office announced on Tuesday, Aug. 26. The Choctaws, who return a strong core under second-year head coach Bentley Odom, also saw three players highlighted on the GSC Newcomer Watchlist.
MC collected 66 points in the poll, tying with Valdosta State for fourth. Defending league champion West Florida earned the top spot with 10 first-place votes, followed by UAH and Lee.
Leading the list of new faces for the Choctaws are
Vanessa Hurnikova, a graduate transfer outside hitter from Stetson University;
Sophia Saxon, a freshman setter from Saraland, Ala.; and
Holland Williams, a freshman middle blocker out of Prattville, Ala. All three were recognized on the GSC's annual newcomer watchlist, highlighting players expected to make an immediate impact in 2025.
The Choctaws will open the 2025 campaign at the Patriot Classic in Tyler, Texas - the first of three tournaments to start the season - before beginning GSC play later in September.
2025 GSC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. West Florida (10) – 100
2. UAH (1) – 91
3. Lee – 71
T4. Mississippi College – 66
T4. Valdosta State – 66
T6. Montevallo – 53
T6. Trevecca Nazarene – 53
8. Union – 35
9. Auburn Montgomery – 31
10. West Alabama – 27
11. Christian Brothers – 12
First-place votes in parenthesis ( )
