BRADENTON, Fla. - The University of Mobile Rams opened up the 2026 season on the road, with the first serve of the season coming before the first day of classes. Taking on the Mighty Banyan VolleyPalooza, the Rams would face three opponents from the Sunshine State and one from Indiana in their opening matches of the new season. Coming off the back of an impressive 30-5 season, where they were regular season SSAC champions and advanced to the final site of the 2025 NAIA Volleyball National Tournament, the Rams are hungry for more with expectations set high for the new season. In the first weekend of the new season, Mobile would go 3-1 with the lone loss coming against the hosts, New College of Florida.
Game One Recap | Mobile vs. New College of Florida (0-3 | 22-25, 24-26, 13-25)
What was likely early season jitters, proved to be the downfall of the Rams as they fell in straight sets to the Mighty Banyans to start the 2026 campaign. For all three sets, the hosts would prove themselves the better team offensively, leading in kills and hitting percentage. Despite what the stats may read, Mobile was able to keep things close in the first two sets, falling 22-25 in set one before pushing the second set to a 24-26 loss.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives from the match as several new Rams made names for themselves with good performances. Freshman Savannah Conklin had 6 kills on 9 attempts with 3 solo blocks to go along with it while another freshman, Eva Blatchford, came through with 4 solo blocks and 6 digs, both of which were team highs in the match. Much like last year, Emma McPherson and Hannah Ellis continued to split assist duties as they would record 11 and 10 assists respectively.
Game Two Recap | Mobile vs. Warner University (3-0 | 25-17, 25-16, 25-20)
In game two of the weekend, the Rams looked much more like the team we saw last year as they earned their first sweep of the season over Warner. With 40 total kills as a team and a much higher hitting percentage than the Royals, Mobile looked comfortable on the court as things began to click between new teammates.
Freshman Cassandra Preston had herself a game with 11 kills coming on 19 swings while Kaylin Johnson provided 8 kills of her own. Gabby Sheffield would put on a solid defensive showing with 21 digs.
Game Three Recap | Mobile vs. Bethel (Ind.) (3-1 | 28-26, 25-23, 20-25, 25-22)
The Rams would continue their good form against a Pilots side who, earlier in the tournament, took both New College of Florida and William Carey to 5 sets. It would only take 4 set for Mobile to overcome the Pilots however as the lone blip in the match was a 20-25 loss in the third set. The win would come despite Bethel holding a lead in kills, attacks, and hitting percentage.
Emma Hampton had an impressive outing against the Pilots as she laid down 15 kills on 23 swings with no errors. Kaylin Johnson and Cassandra Preston would both join Hampton in double digit kills. Georgia Simmons led the way with 17 digs while Hannah Ellis put up 22 assists.
Game Four Recap | Mobile vs. Florida Memorial (3-0 | 25-14, 25-14, 25-13)
Closing out their time in Florida, it would be a straight-forward victory over the Lions of Florida Memorial as Mobile cruised to the win in 3 sets. The Rams had 42 kills to FMU's 21 while also hitting at a staggering .366% in the match.
Eva Blatchford continued to show out early in her first season as she had 4 service aces, 2 solo blocks, and 7 kills. Hannah Ellis once again hit the 20 assist mark while her setting partner Emma McPherson would lead the team with 9 digs.
Up Next for the Rams
The Rams will play their home opener on Saturday, August 22nd at 10:00am CT in the Pharr Gymnasium as they take on Faulkner University. As part of a tri-match tournament, the Rams will return to the court later in the day at 2:00pm CT to face Southern University of New Orleans to round out the competition.
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About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university pursuing excellence "For the Kingdom. To the World." With a vision to multiply Kingdom leaders for the glory of God and the good of the world, the university equips students through Christ-centered learning and community to pursue God's calling with courage, purpose and Kingdom impact.
The university was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, UM offers associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Learn more at umobile.edu/um-info and connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
