Kick Off the 2025 Fall Volleyball Season: Exciting Practice Highlights from Western Carolina University!

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Western Carolina volleyball team kicked off its 2025 preseason with practice on Thursday at the Ramsey Center. The excitement was palpable as the Catamounts, made up of 15 eager athletes, took the court for their first time together. After a preseason photo day last week, the team dove right into practice, working on their plays and strategies. This season, six freshmen are joining the squad, marking their first step into collegiate volleyball.

The Catamounts are gearing up for their exhibition match against UNC Pembroke on August 22 at 6 p.m. in the Ramsey Center. Fans will be pleased to know that admission is free, thanks to First Bank.

This year’s team brings back nine letterwinners from the previous season. Among them are two strong defensive players: senior Janelle Blue (who tallied 111 blocks and 156 kills) and fellow senior Samantha Jo Mikosky (with 73 blocks). With a roster featuring six freshmen and four sophomores, Western Carolina is entering the season with one of the youngest teams in the Southern Conference.

After the exhibition, the Catamounts will officially start their regular season on August 29. They will face Texas Tech and Kent State in a doubleheader at Florida Atlantic’s campus arena. Following that, the Catamounts will play the host Owls the next day, making for a challenging opening weekend. Notably, 12 of the first 13 games will be played away from home, a test of resilience for the young team.

In recent years, the sport of volleyball has seen a rise in participation at the collegiate level, with a 13% increase in student-athletes over the past decade, according to NCAA statistics. This growth signifies the sport’s popularity among young athletes.

For updates on Catamount volleyball and to catch their journey this season, fans can follow the team on social media.

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