The Basics
The ULM beach volleyball team enters 2026 with a trip to Kingsville, Texas for the Javelina Beach Classic from Friday, Feb. 20, through Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Javelina Beach Volleyball Courts.
 
The Warhawks open the weekend taking on UTEP on day one at 10 a.m. before facing the host school in Texas A&M-Kingsville that same day at 4 p.m. On Saturday, they play McNeese at Noon before ending the weekend two hours later against Sam Houston.
 
About the Warhawks
The 2026 roster features seven returners from last year's squad, including Brooke Bankston, Katie Felts, Avery Hunter, Paige Ingersoll, Madeline Marquez, Maddie Peterson and Abby Ryno. ULM also brings in six newcomers in Calli Otjen, Samantha Rodriguez, Ava Sondrup, Natalie Taggart, Clarie Williamson and Izabela Zukowska. Second-year head coach Baylie Young returns after a 13-22 campaign in 2025.
 
Scouting the Opposition
UTEP posted a 12-17 record last year and enters its fourth year of beach volleyball competition under second-year head coach Daniel Foo. Texas A&M-Kingsville hosts a home tournament for the seventh season in a row. The Javelinas finished 25-13 last season, advancing as far as the semifinals in the AVCA Small College Beach Championships.
 
McNeese went 13-19 last season, which included two losses to the Warhawks on Apr. 4 at 4-1 and 3-1. The Cowgirls are led by head coach Yasmin Tan, who has been at the helm since the start of the program in 2024. Sam Houston begins its second season in program history, posting a 1-17 record in its inaugural season.
 
Up Next
ULM heads to the stats capital in Baton Rouge for a contest against LSU on Saturday, Feb. 28.