2025 Volleyball Preseason Poll

Women's Volleyball Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Golden Knights Chosen Preseason Favorites in PSAC Western Division

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference today released its 2025 PSAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll. After either winning outright or tying for the divisional title for the eighth straight year in 2024 it should come as no surprise that Gannon was picked to finish first in the Western Division.

It was by a slim margin that head coach Matt Darling's Golden Knights garnered first place. Gannon received four of a possible eight first-place votes, with Indiana (Pa.) picking up three first-place votes and Seton Hill one.

The PSAC West proved highly competitive once again last year with six of the eight teams finishing with an overall winning record, including four with 19-or-more wins.

Gannon suffered just one loss while going 13-1 in divisional play and holding a three-game advantage over second-place IUP (10-4). But the Crimson Hawks upset Gannon 3-1 in the PSAC Championship match.

The Golden Knights had the final say, however, still earning the right to host the NCAA Div. II Atlantic Regional and going on to defeat Wheeling 3-1 in the regional final to earn a berth in the Elite Eight for the second time in three years.

Gannon ended the year with a 28-6 record while IUP was 24-9. The Western Division preseason poll is actually a mirror image of last year's final standings. Clarion was picked to finish third after going 15-12 overall but 9-5 in conference action.

Seton Hill, the recipient of one first-place vote, is fourth in the poll after finishing 19-9 and 8-6 in the PSAC West. Pitt-Johnstown was fifth last year and was picked to finish in that same spot. Despite the fifth-place showing the Mountain Cats earned a berth in the Atlantic Regional while going 19-10.

Edinboro (14-13) and Slippery Rock (12-14) are fifth and sixth in the poll with California (Pa.) (3-20) rounding out the division.
Shepherd, the 2024 Eastern Division champion, is picked to do so again this year after going a perfect 14-0 in league play and 24-6 overall. The Rams received four first place votes. East Stroudsburg (20-8, 9-5) and Shippensburg (17-13, 11-3) were second and third, respectively, in the poll after each received two first-place votes.

Bloomsburg (9-18, 6-8) earned the fourth spot in the Eastern Division preseason poll with Millersville (15-15, 7-7) in fifth. West Chester (13-15), Lock Haven (6-18) and Kutztown (1-27) complete the divisional poll.

GRADUATION CUTS RUN DEEP
Darling must not replace not one, not two, but FOUR All-Americans. Journey Blevins (Richwood, Ohio/North Union), Emma Hall (Lowell, Mich./Lowell), Hailey Koch (Littleton, Col./Dakota Ridge) and Ali Sorenson (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln Way East) all earned AVCA honorable mention All-American honors and have all moved on.

But that's not to say that the cupboard is bare. Senior setter Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian) ranks sixth in career assists (3,106) after totaling 1,276 a year ago. That was tied for third in a season. A two-time All-PSAC West honoree who earned second team accolades a year ago, she added 348 digs.  Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area), a 6-foot-1 junior, totaled 160 kills and 147 total blocks. Junior outside hitter Carissa Treser (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny) was third on the team in kills (245), adding 227 digs.

Several other youngsters displayed promise a year ago, but a strong recruiting class will no doubt have to step up this year.

IN DARLING WE TRUST
Since taking over the Gannon program in 2007 the Golden Knights have enjoyed incredible success. Darling enters his 19th season at the helm with a 432-151 record, a winning percentage of .740. He has guided Gannon to three Elite Eight appearances and NCAA Tournament berths 16 of 18 years. (NOTE: NCAA did not host a national championship in 2020 due to COVID).

Darling ranks among the leading active Division II coaches in wins and winning percentage. Gannon has won 20-or-more matches in 16 seasons with five 30-win campaigns.

TOUGH START TO 2025
Darling annually makes sure his Gannon teams face a strong schedule, particularly in non-conference action. That is once again the case in 2025. In fact, Gannon debuts this season against the defending national champion, Lynn, on September 5 at Adelphi.

In addition to the rigors of PSAC action Gannon will play a total of 13 matches against NCAA playoff teams from a year ago, including Lynn. The Golden Knights will play teams from four different conferences in addition to their PSAC foes, including four conference champions.   
 
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Players Mentioned

Journey Blevins

#21 Journey Blevins

OH
5' 11"
Senior
Business
Emma Hall

#6 Emma Hall

L
5' 11"
Senior
Accounting
Hailey Koch

#13 Hailey Koch

RS
6' 3"
Senior
Ali Sorenson

#15 Ali Sorenson

MB
6' 2"
Senior
Nursing
Bengisu Arslan

#10 Bengisu Arslan

S
5' 8"
Senior
Lauren Atwell

#1 Lauren Atwell

MB
6' 3"
Junior
Carissa Treser

#8 Carissa Treser

OH
5' 8"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Journey Blevins

#21 Journey Blevins

5' 11"
Senior
Business
OH
Emma Hall

#6 Emma Hall

5' 11"
Senior
Accounting
L
Hailey Koch

#13 Hailey Koch

6' 3"
Senior
RS
Ali Sorenson

#15 Ali Sorenson

6' 2"
Senior
Nursing
MB
Bengisu Arslan

#10 Bengisu Arslan

5' 8"
Senior
S
Lauren Atwell

#1 Lauren Atwell

6' 3"
Junior
MB
Carissa Treser

#8 Carissa Treser

5' 8"
Junior
OH