The Northwestern State Demon volleyball team has finalized its 2026 squad with the addition of four freshmen: Valerie Brown, Elizabeth Murgurza, Ana Gjorgjievska, and Camilia Torquati. Head coach Ben Kaszeta emphasizes the importance of local and international talent, as the team looks to replace significant losses from last season. With a total of nine true freshmen, this class ties the program record, offering depth and youthful energy ahead of the upcoming season.

By the Numbers
  • 293 kills, 374 digs, and 35 aces for Valerie Brown in her senior year.
  • NSU lost 74.7% of its kills from the previous season.
State of Play
  • The Demons return eight players, including senior Jade Longlad, who was second in the Southland with 50 aces.
  • Preseason practice begins next week with an exhibition match scheduled against Alcorn State on Aug. 21.
What's Next

The Demons will kick off their regular season on Aug. 28 at the West Georgia Tournament, facing West Georgia. With the influx of talent, expectations for a competitive season are high.

Bottom Line

This roster reshaping positions the Demons to be a strong contender, leveraging fresh talent and returners from winning programs to improve performance and team competitiveness in the upcoming season.