NASHVILLE — Tennessee State volleyball enters the 2026 season with an experienced returning group and several newcomers expected to contribute immediately as the Tigers prepare for their sixth season under head coach Donika Sutton.

TSU will open the season Aug. 22 with an exhibition at Memphis before beginning regular-season play Aug. 28-29 at the UTC Invitational in Chattanooga. The Tigers will face Chattanooga, UAB and Valparaiso during the opening weekend. 

Sutton believes the combination of returning experience and incoming talent gives the Tigers a balanced roster entering the season.

The returning group provides experience, repetitions and volleyball IQ, with Sutton pointing to Julia Culpepper and a healthy Carsyn Stansberry as players she is looking forward to seeing take another step this season.

The focus throughout the preseason has been blending that returning experience with a newcomer class Sutton believes adds grit and an edge to the roster.

Among the newcomers, Wiktoria Jakubik has provided size, leadership and a presence at the net, while Jordan Imperial has emerged as another leader and adds depth to the Tigers' defense.

Tennessee State will get an early test Sept. 4-5 at the Tennessee Tech Invite in Cookeville. The Tigers will face Green Bay and Austin Peay before closing the tournament against host Tennessee Tech. Sutton views the weekend as an opportunity to evaluate the team before Ohio Valley Conference play.

The Tigers return to Nashville for their home opener against North Alabama on Sept. 8 at Kean Hall, followed by another home match against Evansville on Sept. 10. TSU will play six non-conference matches in September following its two opening tournaments before beginning OVC play. 

Conference action begins Oct. 2-3 when Western Illinois visits Kean Hall. The OVC schedule includes home series against Western Illinois, Morehead State, Southern Indiana and UT Martin, with road series at SIUE, Eastern Illinois, Southeast Missouri and Lindenwood.

The Tigers will look to take a step forward after a 2025 season in which they earned their lone victory against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at the Belmont Invitational. TSU showed signs of improvement late in the year, pushing Western Illinois and UT Martin to five sets during conference play. 

Players to Watch

Triniti Jackson and Gabriella "Brie" Blevins headline Tennessee State's players to watch entering the season. The pair will be counted on as part of a roster Sutton expects to benefit from its increased balance of talent, experience and volleyball IQ.

Culpepper also returns as an experienced piece of the Tigers' lineup and is expected to play a role as TSU works to blend its returning core with the newcomers.

For Sutton, the expectation for the season centers on how the Tigers respond collectively.

Tennessee State will look to compete together through adversity and put itself in position to compete at the highest level possible throughout the season.

The regular season concludes Nov. 17-18 with a two-match home series against UT Martin. The OVC Tournament is scheduled to begin Nov. 22.