AUGUSTA, Ga. – Fresh off a Peach Belt Conference regular-season co-championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, Augusta University Volleyball head coach Sharon Quarles has announced the addition of eight student-athletes who will join the Jaguars for the 2026 season.
The signing class features five transfers and three freshmen, joining a returning group of six student-athletes that includes AVCA All-American Layne Witherspoon and Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year Sofiia Snitsarevych.
"Augusta volleyball is excited to welcome and introduce our eight new Jaguars who will help elevate our program to even greater heights this upcoming season. These student-athletes will be a great addition to the team, our university and the community."
"Both Nikol Antova and Essence Jones, who are Georgia natives, transferred to AU this past spring semester and were able to join our core group of returners. This time was highly productive for them both from just working in the gym and learning the system, the weight room expectations of how we train and just becoming a part of the fabric of AU volleyball was time well spent.
"The six other incoming players are comprised of three transfers – Andrea Rodriguez, a Division I sophomore setter transfer from Florida, Emma Heran, a NAIA junior transfer from Minnesota, and Grayson Jones, a JUCO junior transfer from Tennessee.
"The three freshmen that will be completing the roster include Kinley Nicholls, a setter from Texas, Molly McDonald, a right side from Kansas, and Moni Anjous, a libero from Texas.
"We are very pleased with our recruiting efforts that led us to these incredible young women that will be sporting the navy and grey in the fall. They strive for success in every aspect of being student-athletes. These players along with our returners are creating a roster that will present a balanced offensive attack as well as defense. Every position on the court will be exhibiting depth and skill. The opportunities are numerous for our players once they step foot on the practice court that will ultimately carry over to the game court.
"Preseason will be a welcome time to have all 14 players walk in as individuals bringing their skill and competitive drive to start the process of becoming a highly competitive team. They will be ready to battle every night and bring excitement to the crowds that come to watch.
"The countdown to the first serve has begun for Jaguar Nation!"
Meet the Newest Jaguars
Nikol Antova
Kennesaw, Ga. | 5'9" | Outside Hitter/Right Side | Junior | University of Montevallo
Transferred to Augusta from the University of Montevallo and enrolled during the spring semester, allowing her to train with the Jaguars ahead of the 2026 season.
Essence Jones
Alpharetta, Ga. | 5'11" | Outside Hitter | Senior | Alabama State University
Joined the Jaguars from Alabama State University during the spring semester and has spent the offseason working with the program in preparation for the 2026 campaign.
Grayson Jones
Knoxville, Tenn. | 5'7" | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Junior | Pellissippi State Community College
Emma Heran
Jackson, Minn. | 5'10" | Outside Hitter | Junior | Morningside University
Andrea Rodriguez
Saint Cloud, Fla. | 5'8" | Setter | Sophomore | Saint Peter's University
Kinley Nicholls
Frisco, Texas | 5'10" | Setter | Freshman | Hebron High School
Molly McDonald
Prairie Village, Kan. | 6'0" | Right Side | Freshman | Shawnee Mission East High School
Moni Anjous
Richmond, Texas | 5'4" | Libero | Freshman | Travis High School
