The beginning of the women's volleyball season is just days away, and the River States Conference is excited to preview the 2026 seasons for our member schools! Each RSC school talked with players and coaches from their teams, with those interviews linked below as part of Media Day!
Additionally, each school has spotlighted players expected to be major contributors during the 2026 campaign, and are also listed below as our 2026 Players to Watch!
BRESCIA
Media Day
Players to Watch
Callie Mason
Junior | Galesburg, Illinois | Outside Hitter
Callie is an upperclassman with two years of varsity outside experience. She has been Brescia's top scorer since her freshman year, and she has shown exponential growth this season already.
Olivia Shaver
Senior | Shepardsville, Kentucky | Setter
Olivia Shaver has been a varsity setter for Brescia for four years now. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Brescia's team. Olivia is a hardworking and focused player who is going to set the Bearcat offense up for success.
IU COLUMBUS
Media Day
Players to Watch
Cora Baker
Senior | Berne, Indiana | Outside Hitter
A three-time All-Conference selection, Cora is one of the most impactful players at IUC. Entering her senior year, she is poised to dominate the conference. She is a well-rounded player who excels on both ends of the court and will definitely be one to watch throughout the season.
Bailey Stevens
Sophomore | Yorktown, Indiana | Setter
A third team All-Conference selection last season, Bailey is a natural leader both on and off the court. Her ability to run the offense is one of the greatest strengths in the conference. The 2024 Yorktown High School state runner-up matured tremendously during her freshman season and returns as a sophomore ready to showcase just how talented she is.
IU EAST
Media Day
Players to Watch
Abby Herman
Junior | McCordsville, Indiana | Defensive Specialist
Abby earned a spot on the All-River States Conference third team, while being a River States Conference Scholar-Athlete.
Amyra Lockett
Junior | Fishers, Indiana | Middle Blocker
Amyra was a member of the All-River States Conference third team and she was also a River States Conference Scholar-Athlete.
IU KOKOMO
Media Day
Players to Watch
Mya Grigsby
Junior | Greenfield, Indiana | Outside Hitter
One of the NAIA's premier outside hitters, Grigsby returns after earning AVCA First-Team All-Midsouth Region and First-Team All-River States Conference honors in 2025. The former NAIA Freshman of the Year and River States Conference Player of the Year will once again help lead the Cougar offense after establishing herself as one of the nation's most dynamic all-around players.
Mia Niekamp
Senior | Saint Henry, Ohio | Outside Hitter
A proven force on the outside, Niekamp enters her senior season after earning NAIA Honorable Mention All-America, AVCA First-Team All-Midsouth Region, and First-Team All-River States Conference honors in 2025. One of the Cougars' most consistent offensive weapons, she is poised to once again play a major role as IU Kokomo looks to contend for another conference championship and deep national tournament run.
IU SOUTHEAST
Media Day
Players to Watch
Ella Davidson
Junior | Georgetown, Indiana | Defensive Specialist
Davidson was a Third Team All-River States Conference selection in 2025. Davidson led the Grenadier defense with 376 digs (4.04 digs/set).
Carly Mason
Junior | Terre Haute, Indiana | Setter
Mason was Second Team All-Conference, and led the Grenadiers in assists with 807, good for 8.49 per set. Defensively, Mason was fourth on the team in digs (210).
KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN
Media Day
Players to Watch
Elizabeth Rigsby
Senior | South Point, Ohio | Middle Blocker
Elizabeth brings leadership and confidence back to the court for her final year of play. She is strong defensively and an aggressive attacker.
Breanna Schiwart
Freshman | Willis, Texas | Pin Hitter
Breanna is coming in with a heavy arm, She is versatile, and can be thrown into any position to play.
MIDWAY
Media Day
Players to Watch
Lanie Cornelious
Sophomore | Odon, Indiana | Middle Blocker
Cornelious is no stranger to the River States Conference, coming to Midway from Oakland City University. The sophomore averaged a kill per set for the Mighty Oaks last season, hitting an efficient .235 from the middle blocker spot.
Mayson Delong
Sophomore | Martin, Kentucky | Outside/Opposite Hitter
Delong had 64 kills for the Eagles as a freshman, finishing third on the roster with 1.12 kills per set. She was also useful in the service game, leading Midway with 21 aces.
RIO GRANDE
Media Day
Players to Watch
Averie Bruce
Senior | Baltimore, Ohio | Middle Blocker
Bruce was named to the River States Conference's All-RSC Second Team a year ago. Bruce was a force at the net, leading Rio Grande with 114 total blocks during her junior season. The Baltimore native also finished third on the roster with 293 kills.
Kelli Stewart
Senior | Waverly, Ohio | Right Side Hitter/Defensive Specialist
Stewart was a First Team All-Conference selection for the RedStorm last season. Stewart led the RedStorm on attack in 2025, racking up 381 kills as Rio Grande advanced to the NAIA National Tournament.
ST. MARY-OF-THE-WOODS
Media Day
Players to Watch
Karla Melendez-Martinez
Senior | Caguas, Puerto Rico | Outside Hitter
Melendez-Martinez returns after a historic 2025 season in which she became the first NAIA All-American in program history, earning third-team honors along with Mid-South Region Player of the Year and River States Conference Player of the Year recognition. She finished with 398 kills, 293 digs and 51 service aces and will again be a centerpiece for an SMWC team coming off a 30-6 season.
Masa Pesic
Senior | Zajecar, Serbia | Rightside Hitter
Pesic returns as a key veteran presence after providing consistent production at the net throughout SMWC’s record-setting 2025 campaign, including several double-digit-kill performances. Her experience and efficiency give the Pomeroys another proven attacking option as they look to build on last season’s 30 wins and RSC runner-up finish.
WVU TECH
Media Day
Players to Watch
Ivana Burgos
Senior | Coamo, Puerto Rico | Outside Hitter
Burgos was a Third Team All-Conference selection last season. She finished second on the WVU Tech roster with 214 kills, and was equally adept on the other side of the net with 279 digs, also second on the roster.
Eden Miller
Junior | Daniels, West Virginia | Middle Blocker
Miller was one of the leaders at the net for the Golden Bears during her sophomore season. The Daniels native finished second on the WVU Tech roster with 37 total blocks, all while adding 114 kills across 35 matches.