ALLENDALE, MICH. – The Grand Valley State women's volleyball team is set to get the 2026 campaign underway this weekend, playing four games over three days in the Sandy Hoffman Memorial Tournament hosted by Bentley University. The slate features one game on Thursday, two on Friday, and the final match played Saturday morning.
 
Tournament Page
Bentley: Live Stats | Video | Thursday | 7:00 PM
Barry: Live Stats | Video | Friday | 12:30 PM
Lynn: Live Stats | Video | Friday | 6:00 PM
Central Missouri: Live Stats | Video | Saturday | 11:30 PM
 
Coming off a 19-9 season, the Lakers were selected second in the GLIAC preseason coaches' poll, released earlier this week. GVSU finished fourth in the conference last season, advancing to the conference tournament semifinals. They earned a spot in the receiving votes section of the AVCA preseason national poll. Back for the Lakers are all-conference selections Brianna Stawski (First-Team), Kennedy Arp (Second-Team), and Kate Goudreau (Honorable Mention), along with 2024 second-teamer Paige Sanders. Sophomore setter Gabby Orlet looks to build off her freshman season in which she earned two GLIAC Setter of the Week awards. Liberos Lexi Armstrong and Olivia Behen anchor the backline, with Sara Pahl and Grace Busold back on the outside. Four freshmen join the team this fall, alongside one transfer.
 
The weekend begins with a matchup against host and 22^nd-ranked Bentley. The Falcons have won three consecutive East regional titles and were once again picked to win their league. Coming off a 27-5 season, Bentley returns three AVCA All-Region performers, led by NE-10 Setter of the Year Tory Vitko and outside hitter Sophia Poehlein. The Falcons went a perfect 12-0 at home last year, and have won 17 consecutive games in Waltham, dating back to the 2024 season.
 
Friday features a doubleheader of Sunshine State conference powers. It starts with an early afternoon matchup against sixth-ranked Barry, followed by the final game of the day with #18 Lynn. Barry went 25-5 a season ago, falling in the South Regional championship match. They were picked second in the SSC preseason poll and return two All-Americans in Veronika Eremeeva and Valeriya Kozlova. Kozlova's 5.48 points per set ranked second in the nation and registered a team-high 475 kills. Lynn begins the 2026 season under new head coach Travis Nichols, who takes the helm after being an assistant since 2018. The Fighting Knights fell to Barry in the 2025 South Regional semifinals after going 22-10 and were picked fourth in the preseason SSC poll. All-American setter Ula Gorjup returns to run the offense, who will be looking for a new focal point after graduating their top two kill leaders from last year.
 
Rounding out the weekend is a matchup with Central Missouri. The Jennies were receiving votes in the AVCA preseason poll and were selected sixth in the MIAA coaches' poll. They went 20-8 last year, falling in the opening round of the conference tournament. CMO has three of their top five kill leaders from last year back but will be looking for a new setter and libero, as both starters have since graduated. The Jennies defeated the Lakers last year in the Lakers' home tournament, taking the match in straight sets.
 
How to Follow
All four games this weekend will be available to follow along with via live stats or live stream through the FloSports. For full coverage, follow along on social media @gvsuvolley and online at GVSUlakers.com.