CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston volleyball team kicks off the 2025 campaign with its first tournament of the year, beginning Friday, Aug. 29 with the CofC Classic. The Cougars host to Eastern Kentucky, Appalachian State and Mercer in TD Arena during the weekend slate. 
 
During Friday's home opener against EKU, the team will have a banner reveal from the 2024 CAA Championship campaign. The first 50 students in attendance will also receive free Chick-fil-A.
 
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

• Friday, Aug. 29: vs. Eastern Kentucky at 7 p.m. 
• Saturday, Aug. 30: vs. Appalachian State at 11 a.m. 
• Saturday., Aug. 30: vs. Mercer at 7 p.m.

 
OPENING SERVE:

• Charleston finished the 2024 season with a 25-9 overall record, going 15-3 in the CAA to win the conference regular season title and tournament championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
• The Cougars return seven members from last season's championship squad, including redshirt junior Lauren Fowler and seniors Avery Alexander and Morgan Cobb, who were named captains for the 2025 campaign.
• CofC welcomes 11 newcomers to the roster, with five coming from the transfer portal.
• Charleston holds a 24-10 record in season openers since becoming Division I in 1991 and are 12-6 under head coach Jason Kepner.

 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS:

• Eastern Kentucky finished the 2024 season 21-10 overall and 11-5 in the Atlantic Sun. The Colonels return four starters, including Emilee Hill, AG Hynes and Carson Ledford, who all earned All-ASUN honors.
• App State wrapped up last year 18-10, 11-3 in the Sun Belt and made an appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC). Chad Sutton enters his first season at the helm in Boone following a two-year stop at Mercer.
• The Bears also played in the NIVC in 2024 following a 14-2 mark in the Southern Conference. Mercer concluded 2024 with a 26-7 overall record. First year head coach Steve Benson leads the Bears after two seasons at Presbyterian. 

 
SERIES HISTORY:

• The Cougars play Eastern Kentucky for the first time in program history on Friday.
• Charleston faces former SoCon foe App State for the 32nd time since becoming Division I in 1991. CofC holds a 24-7 overall record and have won 21 of the last 23 matches. Saturday will be the first match between the two teams since Sept. 15, 2017, a 3-0 sweep for Charleston.
• CofC and Mercer square off for the 18th time in school history and first time since Sept. 16, 2017. The Cougars are 14-3 in matches versus the Bears. Both Mercer and App State appeared in the Charleston Invitational at TD Arena in 2017.

 
UP NEXT:

• The Cougars head to Asheville, N.C. Sept. 5-6 for their first road trip of the year to take part in the Blue Ridge Volleyball Classic. Charleston squares off with Bradley, Western Carolina and Charlotte in Harrah's Cherokee Center. Opening serve against Bradley is set for 11 a.m.

 
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