Junior middle blocker Favor Anyanwu and sophomore outside hitter Suli Davis have been named to the 2026 Preseason All-ACC Team. The Mustangs are projected to finish fourth in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, following a successful 2025 season where they reached the NCAA Regional Semifinal for the first time. Anyanwu is honored for the second consecutive year, while this marks Davis's first preseason recognition. Both athletes were also included on the AVCA Player of the Year Watch List, highlighting their impact on the team. This recognition comes as SMU aims to build on last year's success in the competitive ACC landscape.

By the Numbers
  • Favor Anyanwu recorded 206 kills in 2025, with a .409 hitting percentage, the second-best in SMU history.
  • Suli Davis made 541 kills during her freshman year, setting a new record for BYU.
State of Play
  • The Mustangs finished third in the ACC last season and are looking to improve upon their performance.
  • Stanford leads the Preseason Coaches' Poll with 10 first-place votes, while SMU is fourth with 245 points.
What's Next

As the season approaches, SMU will aim to harness the talent of Anyanwu and Davis to compete for a top spot in the ACC and make a deeper run in the NCAA tournament. The team's development and performance in early matches will be crucial for setting the tone for the season ahead.

Bottom Line

With two standout players on the Preseason All-ACC Team and a strong lineup, SMU is poised to challenge for higher honors in the upcoming season, leveraging last year's momentum and individual accolades to achieve team success.