GREENVILLE, S.C. – Furman senior middle blocker Tennyson Gorman was voted preseason All-Southern Conference and the Paladins were picked third by the league's head coaches in the preseason poll, it was announced today by the conference office.

Furman received one first-place vote in the preseason poll for a total of 69 points. The Paladins turned in their first 20-win season since 2017 last year, finishing 21-9 overall and 11-5 in the SoCon.

Defending regular season champion, East Tennessee State, is the favorite to win the SoCon in 2026 after receiving five first-place votes and 77 points in the preseason poll. Defending tournament champion, Wofford, follows in second place with four first-place votes and 72 points while UNC Greensboro sits behind Furman in fourth place with 50 points. A total of two points separate Chattanooga (48 points) and Samford (46 points) in fifth and sixth places, respectively. Conference newcomer Tennessee Tech is projected seventh with 29 points and Western Carolina is one point back in eighth place with 28 points. Mercer is tabbed ninth with 22 points. The Citadel rounds out the preseason poll in 10^th place and nine points.

A native of Franklin, Tenn., Gorman was a first team All-SoCon pick last year, becoming the first Paladin since 2020-21 to receive first team citations. She was the only player to start in all 30 matches and led the team in kills, blocks, and hitting. Gorman topped the SoCon in both hitting and blocks and ranked 10^th in kills. Nationally, she was 16^th in blocks. A two-time SoCon Defensive Player of the Week selection, Gorman's 139 assisted blocks were second-most for a season in program history, 158 blocks third-most, and .364 hitting percentage sixth. She totaled 11 matches with double-digit blocks and turned in the first double-double of her career. Gorman recorded a career best 16 kills twice and set a new career high for blocks in a match with 11. She tied her own school single-match record of six solo blocks against East Tennessee State.

Under the direction of 27^th-year head coach Michelle Young, Furman returns another veteran squad in 2026 featuring 15 letterwinners and five starters as well as senior libero/defensive specialist Kennedy Seekford. The Paladins also welcome three freshmen newcomers.

Furman holds its annual Purple-White Scrimmage on Saturday at 2 p.m. before hosting UNC Asheville in an exhibition match on Sunday at 2 p.m. from Timmons Arena. Admission to both contests is free.

Season and single game tickets for the upcoming 2026 season are on sale now. General admission season tickets are priced at $50. Single game tickets are available for $10 with groups being able to purchase tickets at $5. Kids 12 years and younger receive free admission. Click here to purchase your tickets.

Fans interested in purchasing courtside season tickets please call Tyler Baker, Taymar Ticket Sales & Operations Manager, at (864) 294-3469. Courtside season tickets are $125.

2026 Southern Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (first-place votes), Points
1.  East Tennessee State (5), 77
2.  Wofford (4), 72
3.  Furman (1), 69
4.  UNC Greensboro, 50
5.  Chattanooga, 48
6.  Samford, 46
7.  Tennessee Tech, 29
8.  Western Carolina, 28
9.  Mercer, 22
10.  The Citadel, 9

2026 Southern Conference Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
Makayla Bays, East Tennessee State, OH
Tennyson Gorman, Furman, MB
Allie Sweet, UNC Greensboro, OH
Ally Cordes, Samford, OH
Katie Boney, Western Carolina, S
Bradley Brown, Wofford, MB
Laney Klika, Wofford, LIB
Chloe Smith, Wofford, OH

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