GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Conference Carolinas released its 2026 Men's Volleyball Preseason Poll, and King University was picked sixth as the Tornado look to make noise in a competitive field led by two-time defending champion Belmont Abbey College.
Belmont Abbey, the reigning back-to-back conference champions, earned six first-place votes and 48 points to sit atop the poll. University of Mount Olive, last year's runner-up, followed closely with two first-place votes and 44 points. Barton College (35 points) and North Greenville University (31 points) rounded out the top four, while Erskine College (24 points) edged King (20 points) for fifth place. Lees-McRae College (13 points) and Emmanuel University (9 points) completed the rankings.
The poll was voted on by the league's head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
King Players to Watch
Despite being picked sixth, King University boasts a trio of standout athletes expected to play pivotal roles this season:
- Colton Bueter, Sr., OH, North Lauderdale, Florida – A veteran outside hitter who brings leadership and offensive firepower to the Tornado lineup.
- Alesandro Fermani, So., OH, Civitanova Marche, Italy – A rising talent with international experience, adding depth and versatility to King's attack.
- Javier Saldivar, Sr., L, Arlington, Texas – A defensive anchor at libero, Saldivar's consistency in the back row will be critical to King's success.
Conference Landscape
Belmont Abbey enters the season as the clear favorite, led by All-Conference standouts Zach Puentes, Jibriel Elhaddad, and Joseph Morris. Mount Olive also returns a strong core, including Jackson Lahey, the 2025 Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year, and Luca Colombo, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
While King faces stiff competition, the Tornado have proven capable of pulling off upsets in past seasons. With experienced seniors and promising underclassmen, King will look to climb the standings and challenge the league's perennial powers.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 season promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with multiple teams boasting All-Conference and All-America caliber talent. For King University, the focus will be on building consistency, leaning on veteran leadership, and developing younger players to push the program forward.
