AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University volleyball has been picked second in the 2026 Peach Belt Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, the league office announced Friday. The Jaguars earned one first-place vote and 20 points, while sophomore middle blocker Sofiia Snitsarevych and senior middle hitter Layne Witherspoon were named to the PBC Preseason All-Conference Team.

Defending PBC Tournament champion and regular-season co-champion Flagler was selected as the preseason favorite after receiving all five first-place votes available to the Saints and 25 total points. GCSU was picked third, followed by USCA, Lander and Middle Georgia.

Augusta earned a share of the 2025 PBC regular-season title, marking the Jaguars' third conference championship in four years. The Jaguars finished conference play with a 12-3 record and entered the PBC Tournament as the No. 2 seed. Augusta defeated Salem in the opening round before falling to Lander in the semifinals.

The Jaguars received the No. 6 seed in the NCAA Southeast Regional and finished the season with a 25-9 overall record.

2026 PBC Volleyball Preseason All-Conference

Sofiia Snitsarevych | Sophomore | Middle Blocker

Snitsarevych played in all 34 matches during her freshman season, recording 280 kills and averaging 2.17 kills per set. She led Augusta with 139 total blocks, averaging 1.08 blocks per set, while adding 67 digs and 11 service aces. Snitsarevych was named the 2025 PBC Freshman of the Year and earned second-team all-conference honors.

Layne Witherspoon | Senior | Middle Hitter

Witherspoon played in all 34 matches and recorded 346 kills, averaging 2.75 kills per set. She also totaled 168 digs, 84 blocks and 38 service aces. Witherspoon was named first-team All-PBC and earned AVCA All-Southeast Region and All-America honorable mention recognition.

2026 PBC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll

Salem is an associate member of the PBC and will participate in the conference tournament but not the regular season. The Tigers were not eligible for the preseason poll.