GLENVILLE, W.Va. – First-year head coach Kris Kern and the new-look Glenville State Volleyball team will open the 2026 season this weekend at the Big Blue Classic in Bluefield. The Pioneers will take on King (Tenn.) and Bluefield State on Friday (Aug. 28) before taking on Clinton and BSU again on Saturday (Aug. 29).
 
GAME INFORMATION
Friday, August 28 | Ned E. Shott Gymnasium
12 p.m.
Glenville State vs King
 
4 p.m.
Glenville State vs Bluefield State
 
Saturday, August 29 | Ned E. Shott Gymnasium
12 p.m.
Glenville State vs Clinton
 
3 p.m.
Glenville State vs Bluefield State
 
LINKS
Live Video | Live Stats | Tickets
 
THE OPPONENTS
KING
The Tornados finished the 2025 season (13-16) overall and (10-10) in Conference Carolinas play, having their season ended in the second round of the CC Tournament. King is under new leadership, as Haley Price (Hunt) is in her first season leading KU after spending time as an assistant at East Tennessee State. The attack will look much different this season, with no 100-kill Tornados returning in 2026. The team's leading setter, Amaya Hall, is back after supplying nearly 500 assists last season.
 
BLUEFIELD STATE
Bluefield State went (15-17) overall and (12-5) the CIAA last season, falling in the opening round of the conference tournament. The Big Blue and the Pioneers met in Glenville in early September a year ago, where GSU won, 3-0. Soniya Garner, who led the team in kills in 2025 with 274, is back alongside Callesta Styles after she had 183 kills a year ago, which was third on the team. A new setter will take the court for BSU, as none of the top three assists leaders are back in Bluefield for 2026.
 
CLINTON
Clinton has started the new season (4-0) following an early season invitational at home, where they took down Columbia College twice and Baptist Univ. of Florida two times. Madison Weber leads the team in kills with 46 while Mikayla Sharpless and Heaven Saycon have both added over 25 kills. Sierra Faulkner is averaging 18 assists per game and Camille Newton has already surpassed 75 digs on the young season.
 
THE PIONEERS
GLENVILLE STATE
The Pioneers went (13-18) overall and (5-10) in MEC play, making an appearance in the conference tournament. Kris Kern is leading the Pioneers in 2026 and has brought in nearly 20 newcomers into the program. Mikayla Curry, who led the Pioneers in blocks (77) and was fourth on the team in kills (187) a season ago, returns to Glenville with two of the top three assist leaders, Elitsa Peneva and Irmak Bezek. Coach Kern brought in six transfers will collegiate experience as well as a plethora of talented high school players to mesh for the 2026 season.
 
MEDIA
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