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Central Arkansas volleyball opens 50th season with trip to Colorado
UCA opens its landmark 50th season in Boulder, Colorado, facing three first-time opponents while debuting in the United Athletic Conference.
Central Arkansas volleyball is about to kick off a milestone year, and they’re doing it far from home.
The Bears head to Boulder, Colorado, this weekend for the Buffs Classic, marking the start of the program’s 50th season.
It’s also a big first for head coach John Newberry, who’s entering his seventh year running the show. This season kicks off Central Arkansas’ debut in the United Athletic Conference.
Coaches around the league clearly think the Sugar Bears will be tough right away, picking them to finish second in the UAC preseason poll. UCA grabbed 70 points and even landed one first-place vote.
That kind of respect isn’t a surprise given how last year went.
The Sugar Bears won the ASUN Tournament Championship in 2025, which sent them to the NCAA Tournament for just the fourth time in school history. They finished the year with an 18-12 overall record.
Returning stars lead the way
UCA isn’t starting from scratch either.
Ten players are back from that NCAA squad, and sophomore McKinzee Haas is one of the biggest names to watch.
As a freshman, Haas led the entire team and the whole ASUN in blocks with 122, which earned her a spot on the All-Freshman Team.
She wasn’t just a defender though. Haas also chipped in 170 kills, good for fourth on the roster.
Senior Greyson Button is back too after a strong junior season. Button ranked second on the team in blocks and finished eighth in the ASUN in that category, giving the Bears another proven presence at the net.
New transfers add depth up front and in the back row.
Olivia Kremer joins from West Georgia as a sophomore and brings serious experience, having played in all 29 matches last year.
She racked up 336 digs, which averaged out to 3.39 per set and ranked ninth in the ASUN, plus she added 78 assists.
Nicole Sargent transfers in as a senior from North Alabama and gives UCA another offensive weapon.
Sargent played 26 matches last season, tallying 165 kills with a .315 hitting percentage that ranked eighth in the ASUN. She also added 51 digs and 13 service aces.
First-time matchups fill opening weekend
The Buffs Classic gives Central Arkansas three brand-new opponents to open the year.
UCA faces Denver on Friday at 4 p.m., then takes on host Colorado on Saturday at 7 p.m., before wrapping things up Sunday at noon against CSUN.
None of these three programs have ever met the Bears on the court before, so there’s no history to lean on heading in.
Fans who can’t make the trip to Boulder won’t miss a thing. All three matches will stream live on ESPN+, and live stats will be available online throughout the weekend.
