RICHARDSON, Texas - A trio of UT Dallas volleyball players was named to the Lone Star Conference Preseason Players to Watch, the league announced Thursday. Senior libero Mari Hernandez, sophomore outside hitter Jane Burkhardt and sophomore setter Abby Gentner were among the 53 players across the LSC who were recognized.

Additionally, the Comets, under fifth-year head coach Zach Villarreal, were predicted to finish 13th out of 18 teams in the preseason poll. UTD finished 9-19 overall and went 6-11 in LSC play, tying for 12th in 2025. 

Five starters and 12 total players return from last year's squad.

Having been granted full-member status in NCAA Division II in July, UTD will be able to compete in the postseason for the first time since 2023. 

Hernandez, from Frisco, Texas, recorded 457 digs, 68 assists and 15 aces in 2025. She ranked fifth in the LSC with 4.71 digs per set.

Burkhardt, from Phoenix, was an All-LSC Second Team and All-Freshman Team pick last year. She hit .149 with 367 kills (3.56 per set), 31 assists, 21 aces, 297 digs (2.88 per set) and 42 blocks. Burkhardt was third in the conference with 4.02 points per set.

Gentner, from Louisville, Ky., hit .250 with 60 kills, 696 assists (6.82 per set), 17 aces, 281 digs (2.75 per set) and 18 blocks as a freshman. She ranked seventh in assists per set. 

Also returning are seniors Sydney Sabin,Averi Frazier, Laura See and Avery Pickard; junior Melia Mendoza-Flores and Camryn Kerlick; and sophomores Lashae Goffney, Lila Westphal and Morgan Helms.

Joining the Comets for the 2026 campaign are transfers Maya Rhamy, Scarlette Young and Tylisee Brinkley and freshmen Avery Gray, Savannah Welch, Lola Fisher, Audrey Berg and Addison Schnautz.

The Comets will play their final exhibition match on Saturday against Austin at 6 p.m. in the Activity Center. The regular season opens on Friday, August 28 at the Bettye Wallace Classic on the campus of Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Ark. UTD will compete in the Denton Volleyfest, starting September 3 with #12 Central Oklahoma. The first home match will be on September 5 against Westminster (Utah). The Comets will then go to Odessa, Texas for the LSC Challenge. League play begins on September 18 at Oklahoma Christian in Edmond. LSC home matches include UT Tyler (September 26), St. Mary's (September 30), #21 Angelo State (October 2), UT Permian Basin (October 3), Eastern New Mexico (October 16), #19 West Texas A&M (October 17), St. Edward's (October 20), Texas A&M International (October 30) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (October 31).

The nine-team LSC Volleyball Championship will be Nov. 11-14 at the site of the No. 1 seed.

Check out UTD's schedule page and promotions schedule for more information. 

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LSC Release