EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -  SIUE Volleyball returns to First Community Arena this weekend to host the Cougar Classic. The Cougars open the tournament with a pair of matches Friday, facing Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 12:30 p.m. before taking on Chicago State at 7:30 p.m. SIUE will close out the weekend Saturday with a 2 p.m. matchup against Northern Illinois.
 
SERIES: SIUE has faced off with each of these teams programs multiple times, owning a 3-0 record vs. both UAPB and Chicago State. The Cougars also have a 2-2 record vs. NIU, winning two of the last three since the 2019 season.
 
STANDOUT STATS: Senior MB Anika Ivester ranks first in the Ohio Valley Conference in total blocks (27), solo blocks (5), and blocks per set (1.04). Additionally, freshman Georgia Bresnahan is off to a hot start in her collegiate volleyball career, recording back-to-back double doubles last week against Marist and Idaho.
 
A NEW LOOK: The 2026 roster features seven new additions, including four freshmen (Georgia Bresnahan, Charlotte Dudik, Mackenzie Higgins, and Ashlyn Shulze) and three transfers (Aubree Hummel, Karli Mann, and Jehireh Williams).
 
TRANSFER TALK: All three transfer additions join the Cougars as juniors, each bringing two years of collegiate volleyball experience to SIUE. Aubree Hummel previously played at Hillsborough Community College (Tampa, Fla.), while Karli Mann was at John A. Logan College (Carterville, Ill.), and Jehireh Williams comes from Harris Stowe State University (St. Louis, Mo.).
 
COACHING STAFF: The 2026 season marks Kendall Paulus' 16th year with SIUE Volleyball and her 10th as head coach (Now tied with Todd Gobler as the longest-tenured head coaches in SIUE Volleyball history).
Assistant coach Josh Comer enters his second season with the Cougars after previously serving as an assistant coach at McNeese State, Nicholls State, UL-Lafayette, and Troy.
 
PRESEASON HONORS: The 2026 OVC Preseason Poll has SIUE predicted to finish sixth overall in the conference with a total of 63 points, voted on by head coaches and sports information personnel within the OVC. Also receiving recognition in the polls were senior middle blocker Vienna Elliott and junior outside hitter Sophie Robinson, who were named as the Cougars' "Players to Watch" throughout the 2026 campaign.