TAMPA, Fla. – Listed below are the Sun Conference Volleyball Players to Watch for the 2026 season as submitted by each institution.

The season commences on Friday, August 14th with non-conference action with the first conference match scheduled for Friday, September 4th. The Sun Conference Tournament will start on Tuesday, November 10 and conclude Friday, November 13.

Check out the 2026 Preseason Coaches' Poll by clicking here.
 

Ave Maria

Greta Heiney

Junior | Wentzville, Mo. | Outside Hitter

Notes: Heiney took a big stride in her sophomore season, registering a team-high 159 kills and increasing her freshman total by 21. Heiney averaged just about two kills per set and posted a hitting percentage of 0.129. Behind the line, Heiney logged four service aces to just one service error.

Florida Memorial

L'fe Roberts

Junior | San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago | Outside Hitter

Notes: Roberts has led the Lions in kills the last two seasons. She's the heart of the Lions volleyball team and will continue to make her presence known on the court this season.

Keiser

Cece Worsham

Senior | Lima, Ohio | Outside Hitter

Notes: Worsham, a 2025 Second-Team All-Sun Conference selection, appeared in 25 matches for the Seahawks last season. The native of Lima, Ohio led the team with 260 kills (3.03 per set – No. 6 in the SUN). She also added 260 digs last season, recording eight double-doubles on the year. Worsham ended the year ranked No. 7 in the conference in points, averaging 3.39 per set.

New College of Florida

Soraya Nacero

Senior | Caracas, Venezuela (Santa Fe College (Fla.)) | Outside Hitter
 

Notes: A Second-Team All-Sun Conference selection in her debut season at NCF last fall,  Nacero established herself as one of the conference's top all-around players while also starring for New College's beach volleyball program. She earned Sun Conference Attacker of the Week honors once and finished third on the team with 275 kills and 52 assists. Defensively, she ranked second on the squad with 314 digs while posting an outstanding 95.5 percent reception rate, adding 12.0 blocks to cap a well-rounded season.  

Southeastern

Laura Bonomi

Senior | Ceto, Italy (Cowley County Community College) | Outside Hitter

Notes: Bonomi delivered arguably one of the best seasons in Fire Volleyball history. Putting together a staggering 396 kills, 385 digs, 58 aces, 22 blocks and 466.5 total points. She turned in 19 double-doubles in 26 matches, including 23 kills with 35 digs in the 3-2 home win over Webber International and 21 kills and 18 digs in the 3-2 upset home win of #12 St. Thomas University. Her outlandish efforts earned her Sun Conference Player of the Year, Attacker of the Year, and First-Team All-Sun Conference. Throughout the season, she earned four Sun Conference Attacker of the Week awards, sweeping one week with a Sun Conference Defender of the Week award. Postseason accolades included AVCA All-Region First-Team honors, Sun Conference All-Tournament Team recognition, and was named the program's first NAIA All-American.

St. Thomas

Payton Bertke

Senior | Celina, Ohio | Setter

Notes: Three-time First Team All-Sun Conference Recipient, two-time Sun Conference Setter of the Year (2023, 2024)... finished last fall ninth in the NAIA in assists per set (10.45) while quarterbacking a Bobcat offense that hit .269 which ranked fourth... added 12 double-doubles.

Warner

Siarah Bencosme

Sophomore | Miami, Fla. (St. Thomas) | Outside Hitter

Notes: Siarah Bencosme enters her first season with the Royals after spending time at St. Thomas University, where she established herself as a prominent outside hitter. Bringing a combination of offensive ability, experience and leadership, Bencosme is expected to immediately bolster the Royals’ attack. Her ability to produce at a high level from the outside, coupled with her leadership on and off the court, makes her a player to watch as she looks to establish herself as one of the leading hitters in the SUN Conference.

Webber International

Jennifer Ninette Romero Lopez

Junior | Guadalajara, Mexico (Rainy River Community College) | Outside Hitter/Opposite

Notes: Romero Lopez should feature into a great attack for the Warriors and 2^nd year head coach Audrye Alejandro-Rivera. The Rainy River Community College prospect will have a prolific season on attack.