The Carroll Volleyball team kicked off the 2026 season with a loss, falling to Grace (Ind.) in straight sets during the ONU Tigers Kick-off Invite. The Saints struggled to find their rhythm, dropping three sets with scores of 25-17, 25-19, and 25-18. Despite a stellar performance from senior McKaila Balcom, who led the team with nine kills, Carroll faced challenges replacing five key seniors from last season. The team will aim to bounce back quickly with two more matches scheduled on the same day.

By the Numbers
  • Carroll's hitting percentage in the first set was .231.
  • Balcom recorded nine kills, while team total was 14 kills in the final set.
State of Play
  • The Saints displayed an early 6-4 lead in set two but succumbed to a 12-2 run by Grace.
  • Despite a match-high 14 kills in the last set, Carroll struggled to string together points.
What's Next

Carroll will look to rebound in their next matches, facing Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) in the morning and RV Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) later in the day. The outcome of these games will be crucial for building team confidence early in the season.

Bottom Line

The Fighting Saints need to quickly regroup and develop chemistry, especially with new team dynamics. Building on their strengths from this match will be essential for a successful season moving forward.