Georgia Southern volleyball recorded its third consecutive season with over 19 wins in 2025 but faced disappointment after an early exit from the Sun Belt Conference Championship. Despite the setback, head coach Chad Willis emphasizes the team's impressive performance and overall growth. The Eagles have a chance to make history as Willis could become the program's all-time winningest coach in the 2026 season, following a season in which they narrowly lost multiple five-set matches. Key players, including Reagan Barth and Kirsten Barrett, achieved significant individual accolades, contributing to Georgia Southern's strong roster heading into the upcoming season. The team aims to improve its serving game and has added key transfers to bolster its offensive capabilities.

By the Numbers
  • Georgia Southern achieved a 19-win season, marking the fifth consecutive season with 16+ wins under head coach Chad Willis.
  • Reagan Barth recorded 1,159 career kills, ranking her fifth all-time in program history.
  • Kirsten Barrett led the Sun Belt Conference with 1,029 total assists for the season.
Yes, But

While the Eagles had strong individual performances, falling short of the postseason creates a sense of urgency for the upcoming season. The coaching staff must balance building on recent successes with addressing deficiencies, particularly in close matches.

State of Play
  • All 18 team members participated together in the spring, fostering team chemistry and unity.
  • The Eagles will look to improve serving as a strategy to increase point-scoring opportunities in the 2026 season.
What's Next

As the 2026 season approaches, Georgia Southern plans to kick off on August 28. The coaching staff will continue to analyze and implement strategies to ensure the team competes for an NCAA Tournament berth.

Bottom Line

With a strong core returning and strategic additions, Georgia Southern volleyball enters the 2026 campaign seeking not just to repeat past successes, but to transform narrow defeats into championship opportunities.