Talladega College women's volleyball enters the 2026 season with a stronger, deeper roster and renewed confidence after a second-place divisional finish and HBCU Athletic Conference Tournament appearance a year ago.
The Tornadoes return several players who gained valuable experience during the 2025 campaign while welcoming a talented group of transfers and freshmen expected to contribute immediately. With additional depth at multiple positions, Head Coach Janay Yancey believes Talladega is positioned to take another step forward this fall.
"We expect to be improved from last season," Yancey said. "Our returning players gained valuable experience in 2025, and we have added a combination of experienced transfers and talented freshmen who bring additional depth, competitiveness and leadership to our roster."
Experienced Returners Lead the Way
Talladega will lean on a trio of experienced returners in Kortni Johnson, Azha Dudley and Jordyn Lacey.
Johnson returns at middle blocker after earning All-HBCUAC Second Team honors in 2025. She finished the season with 124 kills and 30 total blocks, establishing herself as an important presence at the net.
Her experience and consistency will be valuable as Talladega continues to strengthen both its offensive and defensive production.
Dudley returns at outside hitter after earning HBCUAC Attacker of the Week honors during the 2025 season. She recorded 123 kills and 33 total blocks during the year.
With another season of collegiate experience behind her, Dudley is expected to take on an even larger offensive role in 2026.
Lacey made an immediate impact during her freshman season and earned HBCUAC Freshman of the Week recognition. She finished the year with 78 digs and showed promise as a defensive specialist.
Talladega will look for Lacey to continue developing while taking on a greater role in the Tornadoes' ball control and defensive efforts.
Newcomers Add Experience and Leadership
The Tornadoes added several newcomers during the offseason, including players with experience at the NCAA Division I and junior college levels.
Outside hitter Tamirea Taylor transfers to Talladega after competing at Alabama A&M University and Bishop State Community College.
At Bishop State, Taylor averaged 3.05 kills per set. Her experience at multiple levels of collegiate volleyball, including NCAA Division I competition, is expected to add leadership and another offensive weapon on the outside.
Nyla Lewis, who can play both middle blocker and outside hitter, joins Talladega after transferring from Temple College.
Before beginning her collegiate career, Lewis earned AVCA All-American recognition and Second Team All-District honors at Cedar Ridge High School. Her versatility, competitiveness and previous success give her an opportunity to make an immediate impact.
Freshman Callie Merrill also brings versatility to the front row at middle blocker and outside hitter.
Merrill earned Second Team All-Pioneer League honors and received JVA Long Beach Player of the Pool recognitionduring her prep career. She also served as a captain for both her high school and club teams.
Freshman setter Khloe' Rainey arrives after earning GHSA First Team All-Region honors and surpassing 500 career assists at Jonesboro High School.
Yancey sees significant leadership potential in both Merrill and Rainey.
"Callie and Khloe' have already demonstrated leadership at the high school and club levels," Yancey said. "Both show great promise as future leaders of our program, and I am excited to see how they develop during their time at Talladega."
Tornadoes Building on 2025 Foundation
Talladega finished the 2025 season with a 7-12 overall record and a 7-3 mark in HBCUAC play.
The Tornadoes finished second in their conference division and earned a spot in the HBCUAC Conference Tournament.
The season also featured several individual honors.
Taquoia Rounds earned All-HBCUAC First Team and AVCA All-Region honors after leading the Tornadoes with 235 kills and averaging 3.41 kills per set.
Johnson earned All-HBCUAC Second Team honors, while Briyith Prado was also selected to the All-HBCUAC Second Team and represented Talladega as its HBCUAC Champions of Character recipient.
Shaniya Cribbs received All-HBCUAC Honorable Mention recognition.
Dudley's Attacker of the Week honor and Lacey's Freshman of the Week selection added to a season in which Talladega continued to establish a competitive foundation within the conference.
Higher Expectations for 2026
The Tornadoes believe the experience gained last season, combined with an influx of new talent, can lead to greater consistency in 2026.
"We have added experience and depth at several positions, and our goal is to turn that into greater consistency on the court," Yancey said. "We are excited about the potential of this group and look forward to seeing how our returning players and newcomers come together throughout the season."
Fans can expect a Talladega team built around competitiveness, continued development and an effort to improve upon last season's divisional finish.
The Tornadoes will look to establish their identity throughout the early portion of the schedule before turning their attention toward another push in HBCUAC competition.
Yancey Continues Building Talladega Volleyball
Yancey enters her second season as Talladega College's Head Women's Volleyball Coach after joining the program in July 2025.
She brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience across the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NAIA levels.
For Yancey, the opportunity at Talladega is about more than wins and losses.
"What I enjoy most about coaching at Talladega is the opportunity to build something that can have a lasting impact," Yancey said. "I enjoy developing our student-athletes as competitors, students and young women while creating a program and culture they can be proud to represent."
"Talladega has a rich history and legacy, and it is meaningful to have the opportunity to contribute to that legacy through our volleyball program."
Yancey will have additional support on the sideline this season with Assistant Coach Shavonna Rhodes and Volunteer Assistant Coach Ahmon Catlin.
Rhodes enters her first season at Talladega and brings nearly a decade of coaching experience. Her background includes collegiate coaching stops at Southeastern Community College and Andrew College, along with experience working with club volleyball programs and camps.
Catlin enters his second season working with the Talladega volleyball program as a volunteer assistant coach. A former Talladega student-athlete, he brings firsthand knowledge of the College and an understanding of what it means to represent the Tornadoes.
With a year of experience under Yancey, an expanded coaching staff, proven returners and a talented group of newcomers, Talladega enters the 2026 season ready to build on last year's progress.
The foundation has been established. Now, the Tornadoes are looking to turn greater depth, experience and leadership into another step forward in the HBCUAC.
