MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The LeMoyne-Owen College women's volleyball team will enter the 2026 season with renewed confidence as the Magicians look to take a major step forward under second-year head coach Makayla "MJayee" Johnson.
Following a 4-24 campaign last season, LeMoyne-Owen will approach the new year with a reloaded roster, a strengthened coaching staff and a demanding schedule designed to prepare the team for Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.
Coach Johnson has assembled a challenging non-conference slate that will test the Magicians early and often. LOC will compete in several tournaments before conference play, facing programs such as Southern Arkansas, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Arkansas-Monticello, West Alabama, Union, Henderson State and Texas A&M International. The team will also compete in a tournament hosted by Christian Brothers University in Memphis.
The difficult opening stretch will provide the Magicians with valuable opportunities to build chemistry, establish their identity and evaluate a roster filled with new talent before entering the heart of SIAC competition.
LeMoyne-Owen will play its first official home match on Tuesday, Sept. 8, when Oakwood University visits Bruce-Johnson Hall for a 6 p.m. contest. The home schedule also includes matches against Philander Smith, Rust College, Kentucky State, Central State and Christian Brothers University.
Homecoming will bring additional excitement to Bruce-Johnson Hall when the Magicians host Central State University on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m. The regular season will conclude with Senior Night on Friday, Nov. 6, when LOC hosts rival Lane College at 6 p.m. That rivalry matchup will be the second meeting between the two programs after the Magicians travel to Jackson, Tennessee, on Oct. 9.
One of the biggest reasons for optimism is the collection of freshmen and transfers that Coach Johnson has brought into the program. The newcomers give LOC greater depth throughout the lineup while creating increased competition at several positions.
The freshman class includes Houston native Makayla Smith and New Orleans native Ileana Austin, who will add youth and depth to the defensive specialist position. Kennedy White, another Houston product, joins the program as an outside hitter and gives the Magicians another option on the attack.
Rylee Forester of Willis, Texas, brings versatility to the front row as a middle blocker and right-side hitter. Memphis native Dahja Fletcher will begin her collegiate career at setter, one of the most important leadership positions on the court. Together, the five freshmen represent a promising foundation for the future of the program.
The Magicians also added three transfers who bring valuable collegiate experience to the roster. Ca'Driane Martin arrives from Texas College as an outside hitter, while Jordan Williams joins LOC from Morgan State University and will strengthen the middle blocker position. Jada Griffin, an outside hitter from Wilberforce University, provides another experienced attacking option.
With Martin, Williams and Griffin joining the freshman class, LeMoyne-Owen has added new talent at nearly every level of the lineup. Their experience and versatility should help the Magicians develop a deeper rotation while giving several players an opportunity to make an immediate impact.
Johnson has also welcomed Maya Brunt as her assistant coach as LOC continues building a new foundation for the program. The combination of an expanded coaching staff and a talented group of newcomers has created a sense of excitement entering preseason competition.
With new faces, a challenging schedule and another year of experience under Johnson's leadership, the Magicians will enter the 2026 season focused on growth and significant improvement. The road will not be easy, but LOC now has a deeper roster and a fresh outlook as the program works to begin a new chapter of Magician volleyball.
