Following the 2025 season, the Gamecock volleyball team lost just over half of its 18-player roster. Six players entered the transfer portal and four graduated out of the program.
Head coach Sarah Rumely Noble landed five players through the transfer portal and recruited five freshmen.
The team participated in three exhibition games to prepare the newly-knit team for the upcoming season. South Carolina played Georgia Southern, College of Charleston, and curated a Garnet and Black scrimmage.
Notable Absences
South Carolina’s leading hitter, with 273 kills last season, Nia Hall, transferred to Tennessee for her senior season.
Libero Victoria Harris will complete her sophomore year at Southern Methodist University. Harris secured 399 digs last season for the Gamecocks.
Now-sophmore outside hitter Victoria Hill contributed 146 kills and 149 digs last season but transferred to the University of Memphis for the 2026 season.
The Gamecocks lost setter Sarah Jordan, outside Alayna Johnson, middle Emily Beeker and setter Kimmie Thompson to graduation.
Jordan accounted for 485 assists last season and Thompson followed with 323 of her own. Johnson tallied 260 kills in her finale and Beeker added 152 kills and 113 blocks.
These exits leave the upcoming season's rotation unsettled. The new talents and recruitment class have a chance to earn a starting spot.
Transfers
Ceci Vance transferred to South Carolina from Arizona State University. Vance adds a strong kill to the Gamecocks offense, showcased at the exhibition against the Cougars.
Redshirt junior right side Ally Cavanaugh transferred from the University of South Florida. At 6’3, Cavanaugh adds experienced height to the roster.
Junior libero Lilly Gillespie transferred from the University of Cincinnati. Last season at Cincinnati, Gillespie secured 397 digs and added 96 assists.
Redshirt sophomore setter Kiana Dinn earned substantial playing time in the exhibition game against College of Charleston. Dinn transferred from the University of Pittsburgh.
Sophomore outside Olivia Borgman transferred from Georgia. Borgman concluded her freshman season with 40 kills and 34 digs with 10 blocks.
Freshman recruits
At 6'6, freshman middle blocker Ella Grivna adds essential height to the front zone. Freshman outside hitter Norunn Westersjo, who stands at 6’2, joins South Carolina from Norway.
Rumely also added freshman libero Maggie Penn, freshman outside hitter Madisyn Crnjac and freshman setter Jill Bohannon.
Looking towards the season
Alongside Rumely now stands Connor Zimmick who was promoted from assistant coach to associate head coach. Assistant coach Chanelle Hargreaves added recruitment coordinator to her title.
The staff has an array of talent on both offensive and defensive sides of the court. These new additions will be battling for playing time as the season begins next week.
What’s Next?
The Gamecocks will play their season opener against the University of North Carolina Greensboro on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. The game will be held at the Carolina Volleyball Center.