A new season brings a much different look for the Jones College volleyball team, as the Bobcats look to continue the program’s recent success with a young group taking on bigger roles in 2026.
After ending last season as Region 23 champions, the Bobcats enter 2026 having to replace several players who played big roles in that run. With only two starters returning and eight freshmen joining the team, Head Coach John Dussouy will have a much different group to work with this season.
Even with last year’s success, one thing Jones wants to carry over has less to do with the results and more with enjoying everything that comes with the season.
“We need to enjoy the season itself, the process of the season, not the last game of the season,” Dussouy said. “In the end, every team in the country will end their season with a loss except for one.”
Jones will have a busy schedule in 2026 with over 30 matches set for the regular season. The schedule gives the Bobcats plenty of chances to figure things out with a young roster before getting deeper into conference play.
Coach Dussouy has built a winning culture despite Jones being a two-year program, where they lose half their players every season. Each year brings new players into the program, making returning sophomores an important part of keeping that culture going.
“The winning culture is passed from sophomore to sophomore,” Dussouy said.
This year, that responsibility will fall on a sophomore group that includes Izzi Barnes, Olivia Guth and Claire Wicker, with all three girls expected to take on bigger roles.
Barnes returns in the middle and has a chance to be one of the top players in the conference. Dussouy even believes she could compete for a conference MVP this season.
Guth will be looked at to lead the Bobcats defensively after showing flashes of potential toward the end of last season.
Wicker will take on one of the biggest roles as she steps in at setter and takes over running the Jones offense. She replaces Mamie Fromdahl, who moved on to play at the Division II level.
While the sophomores will carry more responsibility, the Bobcats will also need some of their freshmen to grow quickly. Over half the roster is new incoming players this season, which gives young players opportunities to step up.
“We will have eight freshmen that will have to be prepared to be thrown into the fire,” Dussouy said. “We have two starters returning, and the other four positions will have to step up.”
The freshmen are still getting used to the jump from high school to college, but they have already shown a competitive side. With several of them likely having to play early, how quickly they adjust could play a big part in how Jones starts the season.
The Bobcats have had their first taste of the competition this season so far, playing at the Itawamba Tournament to open the year. Jones played four matches, winning three, and getting the young team a preview of how they will do in actual game conditions.
There also may not be one part of this team that stands out as its biggest strength right away. With new players filling several positions, the early part of the season will give Jones a chance to figure out what works and where improvements are still needed.
“I do believe that this early in the season there are always areas to improve on; the players have to buy in for this to happen sooner rather than later,” Dussouy said.
Jones may have more to figure out this season than it has in previous years, but the expectations around the program have not changed.
Winning the MACCC and Region 23 titles remain the goals for Jones each season. With a younger roster trying to reach those goals in 2026, this year could bring a different challenge for the Bobcats.
“Any sport within the Jones Athletic Department, the expectations are to win a MACCC and Region 23 Title,” Dussouy said. “However, this year being tougher than the two previous will make for an exciting time.”
The pieces may look different for Jones this season, but the standard the program has built remains the same. Now it will be up to the returning sophomores and a young freshman group to see how quickly they can come together and continue that success in 2026.
The team will play at home tonight, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. against Copiah-Lincoln and tomorrow night, Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. against Reid State.
by Jackson Vella
