CHARLOTTE, N.C. – App State Volleyball opened the 2026 season with a five-set battle against NC A&T on Friday, falling to the Aggies, 3-2 (14-25, 20-25, 27-25, 27-25, 15-10).

The Mountaineers (0-1) came out strong in the season opener, taking the first two sets to build an early 2-0 advantage.

App State controlled the opening set from the start, earning a 25-14 victory behind 14 kills and an ace. The Mountaineers continued to apply pressure in the second set, overcoming an early deficit and using a strong defensive effort to take the set, 25-20.

NC A&T responded in the third set with its strongest offensive showing of the match, recording 17 kills to edge App State, 27-25.

The fourth set featured another back-and-forth battle as the Aggies again prevailed, 27-25, to even the match at two sets apiece and force a deciding fifth set.

App State opened the fifth set with serve and held an early lead before NC A&T pulled ahead. The Aggies closed the set on top, 15-10, to secure the five-set victory.

The Mountaineers finished the match with 63 kills on a .220 hitting percentage, seven service aces, 66 digs and 10 blocks. App State's 63 kills were part of a 123-kill performance between the two teams, with the Mountaineers also holding the edge in digs, 66-59.

Transfer Brooke Doherty led the Mountaineers offensively with 22 kills while hitting .489. She also added four kills in the fifth set.

Raegan Richardson played all five sets and recorded 53 assists, three service aces, seven digs, one solo block and one assisted block.

MeMe Davis anchored the defensive effort with 29 digs while adding six assists and two service aces.

Twelve Mountaineers saw action in the season opener, including freshmen Iris Williams, Neveah Hays and Amelia Mancino and transfers Doherty, Richardson and Chelsea Gilmore.

App State continues play in Charlotte on Saturday, facing Charlotte at 5 p.m.

Sport-specific giving allows you to directly support App State student-athletes and help provide them the resources they need to be successful. Click here to contribute to the Volleyball support fund.

Keep up with App State Volleyball wherever you go by following the Mountaineers on social media. Follow @appstatevb on X, Instagram and Facebook. Download the App State Athletics App for iOS or Android to keep the Mountaineers at your fingertips.