CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's volleyball team was selected to finish fifth in the 2026 ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll, while sophomore outside hitter Elizabeth Layson earned a spot on the Preseason All-ASUN Team, the conference announced Wednesday.
Layson enters her sophomore season after a standout freshman campaign in which she quickly established herself as one of the Royals' top offensive threats. In 114 sets during the 2025 season, Layson recorded a team-high 293 kills, averaging 2.57 kills per set while hitting .215. She also added 61 total blocks, including four solo blocks and 57 block assists, and finished the season with 325.5 points.
"We are excited to have Elizabeth Layson named to the Preseason All-ASUN team," said Queens head coach Matt Stolz. "We believe she will be a difference-maker in our matches this year."
Her production helped the Royals finish 18-12 overall and 9-7 in ASUN play last season. As a team, Queens recorded 1,505 kills and averaged 13.2 kills per set while hitting .214. The Royals also averaged 15.1 digs and 2.3 blocks per set.
Layson was one of eight student-athletes selected to the Preseason All-ASUN Team following a tie in the voting. She was joined by Payton Parsons of Bellarmine, Julija Grubisic Cabo of FGCU, Claire Mrukowski and Haley Yount of Jacksonville, Kendall Newbold of North Florida, and Stetson's Zuzanna Bury and Vitoria Stedile.
Jacksonville's Haley Yount was selected as both the ASUN Preseason Player of the Year and Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, while North Florida's Sofia Dawson was named Preseason Setter of the Year.
The Royals received 38 points in the preseason coaches poll, including one first-place vote, to rank fifth. FGCU was selected first with 62 points and six first-place votes, followed by Jacksonville with 54 points, Lipscomb with 46 and North Florida with 39.
"We are excited to compete in a very competitive schedule this year," Stolz said. "Just as we did last year, we expect to compete at the highest level of the conference for every single match."
Queens opens the 2026 campaign this weekend at the Coastal Carolina Tournament in Conway, S.C. The Royals face Duke on Saturday before closing out the tournament against Coastal Carolina on Sunday.
With Layson returning after a strong freshman season, the Royals enter 2026 looking to build on last year's 18-win campaign.
2026 ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll
- FGCU — 62 points (6 first-place votes)
- Jacksonville — 54 points (1 first-place vote)
- Lipscomb — 46 points
- North Florida — 39 points
- Queens — 38 points (1 first-place vote)
- Stetson — 19 points
- Bellarmine — 16 points
- West Florida — 1 point
2026 Preseason All-ASUN Team*
Payton Parsons, Bellarmine
Julija Grubisic Cabo, FGCU
Claire Mrukowski, Jacksonville
Haley Yount, Jacksonville
Kendall Newbold, North Florida
Elizabeth Layson, Queens
Zuzanna Bury, Stetson
Vitoria Stedile, Stetson
*An eight-person Preseason All-ASUN Team was selected due to a tie in the voting.
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