RICHMOND, Ind. – Earlham College volleyball team was picked to finish third in the HCAC Preseason Coaches Poll for the 2026 season.
THE SCHEDULE
Earlham opens its season next Tuesday at home against DePauw University in Druley Performance Gym. The Quakers then head to Chicago for a tournament on September 4th and 5th. Earlham will take on Trine, University of Chicago, Edgewood, and Concordia Wisconsin on the weekend. After a road match at Heidelberg, the Quakers will host the second annual Dr. Bill Brandes Memorial Invitational in Druley Performance Gym. The Quakers are set to take on Austin and Centre in the tournament. Earlham then heads north for the Hope Tournament. Four matches over two days in Michigan will see the Quakers take on Carthage, Hope, Bethel and Ohio Northern on September 25th and 26th.
Conference play begins on September 30th against Anderson University in Druley Performance Gym at 7 pm. The Quakers then host Calvin and Otterbein for a tri-match in Richmond on October 3rd, and Wittenberg on October 6th. Earlham returns to conference action at Transylvania University on October 10th. Berea comes to town on October 17th for Homecoming in Druley Performance Gym with a 2 pm match. Earlham hosts Franklin on October 21st before traveling for two straight road matches at Mount St. Joseph and Rose-Hulman. Senior Day is set for Halloween against Hanover College at 2 pm in Druley Performance Gym. The Quakers then round out their season with a pair of road contests at Bluffton and Manchester on November 4th and 7th respectively.
THE PLAYERS
Earlham returns three first team All-HCAC players from 2025.
Madison Bizjak was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year along with Lily Ebright from Rose-Hulman. Bizjak broke the Quaker record for most digs in a season with 725. Bizjak also broke the program record for most digs per set in a season at 5.89. The Quaker libero posted a .952 reception percentage, a team-high 44 aces, and 113 assists.
Addison Piatt placed on the first team All-HCAC for her efforts as a six-rotation player. Piatt scored 371 kills with a .228 attack percentage and 23 blocks. When rotating into the back line, Piatt collected 476 digs and served up 42 aces. Piatt was targeted 849 times on serves, and committed an error on just 25 attempts for a .971 reception percentage.
Caylee Brandes led the Quaker offense last season with 387 kills, a .224 attack percentage, and 62 blocks. The junior placed on the All-HCAC first team for the second consecutive season. Brandes collected 81 digs on the season, and posted a .933 reception percentage.
THE COACHES
Head coach
Lauren Horton was named HCAC Coach of the Year in 2025, leading the Quakers to the No.1 seed in the HCAC Tournament for the second time in five years. The honor was Horton's third career Coach of the Year award. Horton will be joined on the sideline this season by assistant coach Madison Horton. Horton is a graduate of Wittenberg University, where she spent two seasons with the Tigers' volleyball program. Prior to her time at Wittenberg, Horton played three seasons of beach volleyball at NCAA Division I Stephen F. Austin and Florida International Universities.
HCAC OUTLOOK
Earlham was picked third in the HCAC Preseason Poll by the conference coaches, earning 66 votes and two first-place nods. Transylvania was selected to win the conference with six first-place votes, and defending tournament champion Hanover was picked second.
HOW TO FOLLOW
goearlham.com will have up-to-the minute information on schedule cancelations and alterations all season long. Additionally, links for live video and live stats will be published as they become available.
