The Bowie State University women’s volleyball team was picked to finish sixth in the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association preseason poll announced Monday, Aug. 17. The Bowie State Bulldogs will enter the season with nine returners, transfer setter Gabby Hale and head coach Edric Potier beginning his fifth season.
Fayetteville State, the defending CIAA champion, was selected to repeat as conference champion. Shaw placed second in the poll, followed by Virginia State, Winston-Salem State and Bluefield State to complete the top five.
Bowie State brings back postseason experience
Bowie State advanced to the 2025 CIAA semifinals before losing to Shaw in five sets. The Bulldogs will attempt to build on that tournament run while preparing for the 2026 season.
Potier is entering his fifth season as Bowie State’s head coach. The Bulldogs also return nine players and added Hale, who transferred from Bluefield State.
Hale earned First Team All-CIAA honors at Bluefield State last season and was selected to the 2026 CIAA preseason team. She will join a Bowie State roster that was projected to finish sixth in the conference.
Bowie State opens at Fairmont State Classic
Bowie State will open its 2026 season at the Fairmont State Classic on Aug. 28-29 in Fairmont, West Virginia. The Bulldogs are scheduled to play Fairmont State and East Stroudsburg on Aug. 28.
The opening weekend continues Aug. 29 against Anderson and Lees-McRae. Match times are available through the Bowie State University Athletics announcement.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The sixth-place preseason selection gives Bowie State a clear starting point for the 2026 campaign. Nine returners provide roster continuity, while Hale brings First Team All-CIAA recognition from her time at Bluefield State.
The Fairmont State Classic will open the season with four scheduled matches across two days. Bowie State’s results in Fairmont, West Virginia, will provide the first competition of the new campaign under Potier.
Source: Original report
