LIVINGSTON, Ala. — A year of experience could make a significant difference for West Alabama volleyball in 2026.

The Tigers enter their second season under head coach Ed Allen with 10 players returning from last year's squad, including their leaders in kills, digs and blocks.

UWA finished Allen's first season in Livingston with an 11-17 overall record and a 6-14 mark in Gulf South Conference play. After another offseason in Allen's system, the Tigers will look to build around a returning group that accounted for much of the team's production a season ago.

"We're excited about the group we have back," Allen said. "We have significant players returning from a team that really turned the corner last year. We're excited to be one year further into the process and closer to becoming the team we expect to be on a yearly basis."

Goeden Returns to Lead the Attack
Senior outside hitter Cadence Goeden returns after leading West Alabama with 305 kills and 328.5 points in 2025.

Goeden reached double-digit kills in 15 matches during her first season with the Tigers, including a career-high 23 against Christian Brothers. She also contributed 106 digs and 22 blocks while earning GSC Honor Roll and CSC Academic All-District recognition.

The Panama City Beach, Florida, native enters her final collegiate season with 858 career kills after recording 553 during two seasons at Pensacola State before arriving in Livingston.

Korre, Bobánová Give Tigers Experience on the Pins
Junior Katerina Korre returns after establishing herself as one of UWA's most versatile players last season.

The 6-foot-3 opposite/outside hitter recorded 225 kills on a .209 hitting percentage while leading the Tigers with 276 digs. Korre added 44 blocks and 27 service aces and finished the season with six double-doubles.

Sophomore Klára Bobánová also returns after making an immediate impact during her first collegiate season.

The Bratislava, Slovakia, native recorded 267 kills and 240 digs as a true freshman while adding 27 blocks and 22 service aces. Bobánová reached double-digit kills 13 times, recorded 10 double-doubles and produced a career-high 23 kills against Georgia College.

After establishing herself on the court as a freshman, Bobánová took on an increased leadership role with the Tigers during the offseason as she prepared for her sophomore campaign.

Snow Looks to Build on Strong Freshman Season
Jazlyn Snow gives West Alabama another experienced sophomore after starting at middle blocker as a true freshman.

Snow finished 2025 with 140 kills while hitting .298 and led the Tigers at the net with 60 blocks. She hit better than .300 in 13 matches during the season.

One of Snow's top performances came against Miles, when she recorded 11 kills on 12 attacks for a .917 hitting percentage, setting a UWA single-match record.

West Alabama also returns senior middle blockers Gracie Huver and Mia McGuire, while redshirt freshman Duru Seber is set for her first opportunity to compete after redshirting during the 2025 season.

Huver enters her fourth season with the program and provides an experienced option in the middle. She has appeared in 57 matches during her UWA career, while McGuire returns for her second season in Livingston after previously playing at Rochester Community and Technical College.

Experience Returns to the Back Row
Redshirt junior Bailey Keef returns after serving as West Alabama's starting libero in 2025.

Keef recorded 191 digs and 32 service aces during her first season with the Tigers, including a career-high 16 digs against UAH.

Sophomore Ava LaCoste also returns at libero/defensive specialist after gaining collegiate experience during her freshman season.

Outside hitter Raven Grant rounds out the group of returning Tigers after appearing in nine matches and 22 sets as a freshman. Grant recorded 38 kills and 10 blocks, including a career-high 11 kills against Valdosta State.

Tigers Continue Academic Success
West Alabama's returning group also enters the new season following an impressive year in the classroom.

The Tigers earned both the AVCA Team Academic Award and AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll recognition after posting a 3.82 team GPA during the 2025-26 academic year.

The AVCA Team Academic Award recognizes programs that maintain at least a 3.30 GPA on a 4.00 scale throughout the academic year, while Team Academic Honor Roll recognition is reserved for programs finishing among the top 20 percent of their respective division.

Seven UWA student-athletes maintained a 4.00 GPA throughout the entire 2025-26 academic year, with six returning to the Tigers this season.

Goeden, Bobánová, Huver, LaCoste, Korre and Seber each maintained a 4.00 GPA throughout the academic year.

Tigers Turn Attention to 2026
With 10 players returning and another year in Allen's system, West Alabama enters 2026 with considerably more familiarity than it had at the beginning of the head coach's first season.

The Tigers bring back their 2025 leaders in kills, digs and blocks while returning several players who gained valuable experience during their first collegiate seasons. That returning foundation will be joined by four newcomers as West Alabama prepares to open the season at the Bobcat Classic in Milledgeville, Georgia.

UWA will begin the 2026 campaign on Friday, Aug. 28, against host Georgia College at 10:30 a.m. before facing Albany State at 3:30 p.m. The Tigers return to the Centennial Center on Saturday, Aug. 29, for an 8 a.m. matchup with Carson-Newman before closing the weekend against Southern Wesleyan at 3:30 p.m.

West Alabama will make its 2026 home debut when the Tigers host the UWA Invitational at Pruitt Hall beginning Sept. 8. UWA will face Albany State and the United States Sports Academy on the opening day before hosting Talladega and Miles on Sept. 10.