SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University women's volleyball team begin its 2026 season with a three-game slate in the Charlotte Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina this weekend. 

The Bulldogs will face Charlotte on Friday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. They will then play North Carolina A&T State on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. and Appalachian State on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 11:00 a.m.  All games will be held at Halton Arena on Charlotte's campus. 

Game #1- Bryant at Charlotte  
Time: Friday, Aug. 28, 6 p.m.  
Watch: ESPN+ 
Live Stats: statbroadcast.com 

Game #2- Bryant vs North Carolina A&T State  
Time: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2 p.m.  
Live Stats: statbroadcast.com 

Game #3- Bryant vs Appalachian State   
Time: Sunday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m.  
Live Stats: statbroadcast.com 

 

• The Bulldogs fell to the 49ers, 2-3, in their first game of the Rose Hill Classic on Aug. 31, 2018.  

• The Bulldogs defeated the Aggies, 3-2, in the Coppin State Tournament on Sep. 9, 2012.  

• Bryant's matchup against Appalachian State will be the first time the two programs have ever met.  

 

• Head Coach Theresa Garlacy can eclipse 650 career coaching wins in 2026. She enters this season with a career coaching record of 630-418. 

• Garlacy also looks to surpass 300 career coaching wins at the Division I level. She holds a 286-278 record since Bryant moved to DI in 2008-09.  

• Captaining the Bulldogs this season are seniors Carrina Barron, Madison Koeller, and Brookelyn Talmadge.  Koeller and Talmadge were named to the America East Preseason All-Conference earlier this month.  

• Bryant returns three of their five leaders in kills from last season: Talmadge, Ruth Ochelli and Kaitlin Curran. Ochelli and Curran were named America East All-Rookie Team in 2025.  

• The Bulldogs welcome seven freshmen to their roster in 2026.  

• Charlotte is coached by Benavia Jenkins, who begins her second season leading the program. 

• The 49ers posted a 17-8 (8-8 American Conference) record in 2025.  

• Five returners and 10 newcomers, including five transfers, fill out Charlotte's 2026 roster. 

• Sophomore outside hitters Mariam Mushkudani and Gia McGrew join the 49ers from Miami and Iowa. Mushkudani produced 50 kills with the Hurricanes while McGrew tallied 51 kills with the Hawkeyes in 2025.  

 

• North Carolina A&T State are directed by head coach Hal Clifton, who enters his 16th season with the program. He has amassed 158 wins coaching the Aggies and is five wins away from becoming the program's all-time winningest coach.  

• The Aggies registered a 15-12 (10-6 Coastal Athletic Conference) record in 2025.  

• Junior Tyne Ross was selected Preseason First Team All-CAA this month. She notched a CAA-leading 442 kills in 2025.  

• The Aggies also return sophomore Zariah Winton, who received CAA All-Rookie Team honors last season after racking up 245 kills.  

• Appalachian State is led by second-year head coach Chad Sutton.  

• The Moutaineers went 15-12 (6-10 Sun Belt) in 2025.  

• Appalachian State's 2026 roster consists of 7 returners and 9 newcomers.  

• Junior Reegan Richardson joins the Moutaineers from South Florida. She dished out 1,028 set assists and received an American Conference First Team All-Conference nod in 2025.