RICHARDSON, Texas – With the 2026 season just eight days away, the Lone Star Conference released its annual volleyball preseason poll Thursday afternoon, with the No. 21 Angelo State University volleyball team picked to repeat as conference champions.
The Belles received 951 points and 41 of the 54 possible first-place votes in voting conducted by LSC head coaches, sports information directors and media members.
West Texas A&M, Lubbock Christian, UT Tyler and St. Mary's rounded out the top five. West Texas A&M received seven first-place votes, followed by Lubbock Christian with three. St. Mary's, Texas Woman's and DBU each received one first-place vote.
Angelo State enters the 2026 season following a 26-8 campaign in 2025, including a 15-2 record in conference play. The Belles captured their second consecutive LSC regular-season championship, their second straight and 12th overall LSC Tournament title, and advanced to the NCAA Division II South Central Regional final for the second consecutive season.
In addition to the preseason poll, the LSC announced its preseason individual awards, with senior outside hitter Madi Parrish earning Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive season.
Parrish, a senior marketing major from Saginaw, Texas, led the conference in kills last season with 435, averaging 3.72 kills per set. She also recorded 45 service aces and 321 digs.
The reigning LSC Player of the Year, LSC Offensive Player of the Year and South Central Regional Player of the Year, Parrish also earned her second consecutive LSC Tournament Most Valuable Player award on the way to earning first team All-American honors.
Parrish was also selected as Angelo State's Offensive Player to Watch, while senior Krizia Perez was named the Belles' Defensive Player to Watch and junior Gabi Ashcraft was selected as the Setter to Watch.
Perez, a senior health science professions major from Laredo, Texas, appeared in 98 sets across 34 matches during the 2025 season. She recorded 183 digs, 22 assists and 13 service aces.
Ashcraft, a junior elementary education major from Rockwall, Texas, played in 108 sets across 34 matches. She totaled 581 assists, 218 digs, 39 service aces and 19 kills.
The Belles open the 2026 season Friday, Aug. 28, when they host the Kathleen Brasfield Invitational inside the Junell Center/Stephens Arena. Angelo State will play four matches over the course of the weekend tournament against East Central, Fort Lewis, MSU Moorhead and CSU Pueblo.
