ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - With the Red & Gray Scrimmage in the rear-view, Reddie Volleyball turns their attention to the upcoming 2026 season.

Head Coach Phil McDaniel begins his tenth season at the helm of the Reddies after the third consecutive season making the conference tournament in 2025. "I was really happy, we had a good week and a half of practice" McDaniel said after the scrimmage on Saturday, "We have some experience [up front] that certainly helps, as well as some transfers that bring some good energy."

Key Returners:
Libero Kaylon Partain (Jr.): Partain earned GAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in a season that saw her pace the nation in total digs (709), which ranked her third in the nation. The two-time GAC Defensive Player of the Week honoree also posted 28 service aces, the second-most on the team. Partain collected 30 or more digs in five different matches last season, along with a whopping 20 matches with 20 or more.

Setter Tyhia Mack (So.): Mack quickly developed into a key contributor as a true freshman in 2025. The Longview, Texas native appeared in 100 sets across 29 matches last season, recording a team-high 522 assists. Mack also contributed defensively, collecting the fifth-most digs on the team with 199. Mack achieved 20 or more assists in thirteen of the 29 matches played last season, as well as reaching 30 or more assists in three.

Outside Hitter Kelis Battles (So.): Battles also saw significant time as a true freshman in 2025, appearing in every set in all 31 matches. The Little Rock, Arkansas native ranked second on the team with 325 kills, and recorded 17 matches with 10 or more kills, including 22 kills against Southeastern Oklahoma on Oct. 10. Defensively, Battles contributed 209 digs, which ranked fourth on the team. Battles also contributed 11 service aces on the season.

Middle Blocker Cassidi Campbell (Sr.): Campbell was a defensive stalwart for the Reddies in 2025, as she paced the conference in blocks, finishing with the third-most blocks in the GAC (118.0) and averaged more than a block per set (1.02). The Wynne, Arkansas native contributed 196 kills to the Reddie offense, ranking fourth on the team.

Key Newcomers:
Outside/Opposite Hitter Shiloh Jones (Jr.): Jones transferred to Henderson State from Blinn College where as a sophomore, Jones ranked fifth on the team in kills (194) and fourth in blocks (80.0). As high school student, the Los Fresnos native earned Texas 32-6A Newcomer of the Year and first team All-District honors. Earned Co-hitter of the Year and ended her high school career with over 1000 kills.

Middle Blocker Karsen Hart (Jr.): Hart transfers to Henderson State from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (NEO), where she had a standout career. As a freshman, the Magazine, Arkansas native earned first team JUCO All-American honors after setting a new record for most kills and blocks in a season, which gave her All-Region MVP honors. As a sophomore, Hart was once again named to the All-Region team, and set a new career-record for kills.

Outside/Opposite Hitter Calee Carter (Jr.): Another notable transfer, Carter comes to Henderson State from Tyler Junior College. While at TJC, the White Oak, Texas native ranked second on the team in kills with 304, while defensively contributing 158 digs, the fourth-most on the team, and 15 service aces.

Up Next -
The Reddies open the season with the Bettye Wallace Classic. The tournament, honoring the legendary coach Bettye Wallace, opens this Friday, August 28th at 9:00 A.M. The Reddies will first hit the court at 11:00 A.M. in a match against Cameron University.