2025 Recap
After a memorable 2025 campaign, the Pensacola Christian College Lady Eagles volleyball team enters the 2026 season with experience, depth, and the motivation to return to the national stage. In his first season as head coach, Ryan Vanderboegh guided the Lady Eagles to a 25–7 record and a national tournament appearance. PCC went undefeated in pool play before advancing to the national semifinals, where its season came to a close. Now, with valuable postseason experience and a strong returning core, the Lady Eagles are preparing to build on that momentum.
"We have excellent leadership from our senior class, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this season goes," Vanderboegh said. "Our prayer is that we glorify God, stay healthy, and reach our potential."
2026 Roster Information
The Lady Eagles return six seniors while welcoming four incoming freshmen expected to add depth and immediate competition across the roster. PCC also adds assistant coach Heidi Andrews to the coaching staff as Vanderboegh begins his second year leading the program.
"We have an excellent freshman class coming in this year that I think will be an immediate impact on our team," Vanderboegh said. "We are working to lock down our setting positions, and I'm thankful that we are very deep this year. We have a lot of players that should be able to give us really good minutes throughout the season."
Offensively, the Lady Eagles will again look to the dynamic pairing of Sydney Anderson and Lyssie Metzker. The two attackers led PCC in kills and points per set last season, providing a reliable one-two punch throughout the team's 25-win campaign. The Eagles also return outside hitter Madisyn Kandel and the versatile Olivia Boyd, who contributes as both a setter and hitter. Defensively, senior libero Hope Brooks returns after leading the team in digs in 2025 while finishing second on the roster in service aces. At the net, Anderson, Boyd, Kandel, and senior Anna Stephens provide PCC with a familiar and experienced defensive presence.
2026 Schedule Information
The Lady Eagles will open the 2026 season on the road with a tri-match against Boyce College and the University of Cincinnati Clermont. PCC will then settle into a home-heavy early schedule, playing seven of its next nine matches in The Eagle's Nest. That stretch includes the Lady Eagles' hosting of the South Region Tipoff Tournament on September 11–12.
Throughout the season, PCC will face a varied schedule featuring NAIA, JUCO, NCCAA Division I, and NCCAA Division III opponents. The challenging slate will provide the Lady Eagles with opportunities to test their depth, sharpen their identity, and prepare for another postseason push.
Vanderboegh believes the ingredients are in place for the Lady Eagles to take another step forward in 2026.
"They say good teams have good players, excellent teams have good players and are led by good coaches, but great teams are led by great players and coaches," Vanderboegh said. "I have no doubt this team can be great. I'm looking forward to seeing all God is going to do through this team this season."
Stay connected with the Lady Eagles all season long on Instagram at @eaglespccwvb. For full coverage of all PCC Eagles teams, events, and schedules, follow @eaglespcc on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
