BOSTON --
The Bryant University volleyball team was picked second in the America East Preseason Poll, its highest placement since joining the conference, while seniors
Madison Koeller and
Brookelyn Talmadge were selected Preseason All-Conference, the league announced Wednesday. Â
Bryant finished with 20 points in the poll, second to only UMBC's 25 points. It also received one of six available first place votes.Â
The Bulldogs registered a 16-12 record in 2025. They posted a 7-3 record in conference play to co-clinch their first America East regular season title and third Division I regular season title. Â
Koeller enters her fourth season with the Bulldogs after racking up a career-high 815 assists as a junior. That total ranks 8th all-time in a single season in Bryant's DI history. Â
Talmadge led the America East in hitting percentage (.406) and recorded 178 kills in 2025, earning an All-Conference Second Team nod. She has tallied 150 or more kills in her first three seasons with the Bulldogs. Â
Bryant's 2026 roster boasts 11 returners and welcomes seven freshmen. The Bulldogs will kick off their season against Charlotte in the Charlotte Tournament on Aug. 28.Â
America East Preseason PollÂ
Pl.      School                            Pts. (1st)Â
1.       UMBC               25 (5)Â
2.       Bryant               20 (1)Â
3.        Binghamton          16 Â
4.        UAlbany              13Â
5.        New Hampshire       11Â
6.        NJIT                  8Â
America East Preseason All-ConferenceÂ
OH Jalynn Brown (UMBC)Â
OH Lucy Chertock (New Hampshire)Â
RS Maya Coblentz-Brown (Binghamton)Â
RS Viktoria Dimitrova (Binghamton) Â
MB Rachel Grier (New Hampshire)Â
DS/L Hannah Howard (UMBC)Â
