EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE Volleyball will head to Colorado to play in the Denver Invitational this weekend, where they will face the host Denver University on Thursday, followed by Marist University on Friday, and closing with Idaho University on Saturday.

SERIES: This weekend will mark the first time SIUE Volleyball will face off against both Denver University and Marist University. On the other hand, SIUE and Idaho have played once before, with the Cougars sweeping the match in three sets back in September of 2023.

STRONG STARTS: Senior Anika Ivester is off to a strong start to the season, recording 32.5 points and 14 points through the first week of the season including a game vs UT Arlington in which she tallied 13 kills, six blocks, and 17 points. Additionally, Junior Sophie Robinson rounded out the first weekend with a total of 38 kills, and a game in which she matched her career-high in kills for a single match with 17.  

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).

AT THE HELM: The 2026 season marks the 16th in which Kendall Paulus has been with SIUE Volleyball, and the 10th in which she has held the title of Head Coach. Paulus is now tied with Todd Gobler for longest tenured head coach at SIUE. As a player at Iona University, Paulus earned MAAC All-Academic Team Honors in each of her four years, and was team captain for both her junior and senior seasons.

SUPPORTING STAFF: Josh Comer is entering his second season as the assistant coach of the Cougars. Previously, Comer served as an assistant volleyball coach at McNeese State, Nicholls State, UL-Lafayette, and Troy University. In his collegiate playing career, Comer earned MAMVIC South Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and helping lead Missouri Baptist to four conference championships and two national championships.

PRESEASON HONORS: The 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Poll has SIUE predicted to finish sixth overall in the conference with a total of 63 points, voted 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 Cougar's "Players to Watch" throughout the 2026 campaign.