Volleyball Signs Three on National Signing Day
11/13/2025 3:45:00 PM | Volleyball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – College of Charleston volleyball head coach Jason Kepner has announced the signing of three players to the 2026 roster.
"I am very excited about our 2026 class," said Kepner. "We have signed some outstanding players and people. They will add to our gym but also complement our culture."
Violet Poole – Defensive Specialist – Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Voilet Poole joins the program in the spring following four seasons at Wando. The defensive specialist was a four-year varsity starter, amassing 1,576 digs and 132 aces in her prep career under head coach Alexis Glover. A four-time state final four and two-time state runner-up, Poole was a two-time SCCAWS Region 7 Player of the Year and two-time 5A All-State honoree in addition to being named 2025 AVCA High School All-America Third Team and a 2024 Honorable Mention.
"Violet is one of the best players in South Carolina," said Kepner. "Her all-around volleyball skill is tremendous and her leadership on the court is fun to watch as a coach. Her passing, defense and work ethic is first class. I am excited she is joining us in the spring. That additional time in the gym will accelerate her understanding of our program and have her ready to have a big impact on the court in the fall."
Julie Nzambele – Outside Hitter – Fort Mill, S.C.
Julie Nzambele is set to join Charleston for the spring semester from Nation Ford. Nzambele was a 2024 state champion runner-up along with earning Region Player of the Year and All-State honors. The Fort Mill, S.C., native was named a 2025 AVCA High School All-Region member.
"Julie is also one of the best players in South Carolina," said Kepner. "She has outstanding volleyball skills and is a great athlete. I feel she has only scratched the surface on her potential and will be another great addition to our gym and program starting this spring. Julie has all the shots and can hit them with power. Her ability to terminate and block at a high level will give her the ability to help us this fall."
Lucy Haywood – Middle Blocker – Nashville, Tenn.
Lucy Haywood heads to the Holy City after three letter seasons at Christ Presbyterian Academy. Under head coach Carrol Denure, the middle blocker was a 2025 D2 AA State Runner-Up, posting a 22-5 record. Haywood was a back-to-back D2 AA All-Region MVP after earning First Team honors her freshman season. Haywood was also named to the 2025 AVCA High School All-Region list.
"I am very excited to add Lucy to our roster," said Kepner. "Middle is one of the hardest working positions in the sport and I feel like we got someone who embraces that idea and outworks everyone on the other side of the net. She can hit all the sets and is a very strong blocker. Her all-around skills and touch on the ball will help her make the transition to CofC. I am excited to get her in the gym this fall."
For complete coverage of Charleston volleyball, follow us on Facebook (/cofcvolleyball), X (@CofCVolleyball) and Instagram (@cofcvolleyball).
"I am very excited about our 2026 class," said Kepner. "We have signed some outstanding players and people. They will add to our gym but also complement our culture."
Violet Poole – Defensive Specialist – Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Voilet Poole joins the program in the spring following four seasons at Wando. The defensive specialist was a four-year varsity starter, amassing 1,576 digs and 132 aces in her prep career under head coach Alexis Glover. A four-time state final four and two-time state runner-up, Poole was a two-time SCCAWS Region 7 Player of the Year and two-time 5A All-State honoree in addition to being named 2025 AVCA High School All-America Third Team and a 2024 Honorable Mention.
"Violet is one of the best players in South Carolina," said Kepner. "Her all-around volleyball skill is tremendous and her leadership on the court is fun to watch as a coach. Her passing, defense and work ethic is first class. I am excited she is joining us in the spring. That additional time in the gym will accelerate her understanding of our program and have her ready to have a big impact on the court in the fall."
Julie Nzambele – Outside Hitter – Fort Mill, S.C.
Julie Nzambele is set to join Charleston for the spring semester from Nation Ford. Nzambele was a 2024 state champion runner-up along with earning Region Player of the Year and All-State honors. The Fort Mill, S.C., native was named a 2025 AVCA High School All-Region member.
"Julie is also one of the best players in South Carolina," said Kepner. "She has outstanding volleyball skills and is a great athlete. I feel she has only scratched the surface on her potential and will be another great addition to our gym and program starting this spring. Julie has all the shots and can hit them with power. Her ability to terminate and block at a high level will give her the ability to help us this fall."
Lucy Haywood – Middle Blocker – Nashville, Tenn.
Lucy Haywood heads to the Holy City after three letter seasons at Christ Presbyterian Academy. Under head coach Carrol Denure, the middle blocker was a 2025 D2 AA State Runner-Up, posting a 22-5 record. Haywood was a back-to-back D2 AA All-Region MVP after earning First Team honors her freshman season. Haywood was also named to the 2025 AVCA High School All-Region list.
"I am very excited to add Lucy to our roster," said Kepner. "Middle is one of the hardest working positions in the sport and I feel like we got someone who embraces that idea and outworks everyone on the other side of the net. She can hit all the sets and is a very strong blocker. Her all-around skills and touch on the ball will help her make the transition to CofC. I am excited to get her in the gym this fall."
For complete coverage of Charleston volleyball, follow us on Facebook (/cofcvolleyball), X (@CofCVolleyball) and Instagram (@cofcvolleyball).
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