SAN ANTONIO – Head Coach Julie Jenkins welcomes in eight newcomers for the 2026 season, which will be her 42nd season leading the Trinity University Volleyball program.

The Tigers enjoyed a standout season in 2025, finishing with a 26-6 overall record and winning its first Southern Athletic Association Regular Season Championship with a 13-1 conference mark in Trinity's first year in the SAA. Trinity reached the NCAA Semifinals for the fifth time in school history, including the third time since 2019. Trinity has made 30 NCAA Playoff appearances and won 22 conference titles under the leadership of Coach Jenkins and the Tigers finished the 2025 season ranked fourth in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III poll.
 
See below for more on the 2026 Newcomers!
 
#1 Amelia Payton

5-10 Outside Hitter
Harrison HS / A5
Acworth, Ga.
Parents: Patricia & Richard Payton
Intended Major: Finance
Why I Chose Trinity: " I chose Trinity because of the people. Not only does Trinity offer amazing academic and athletic opportunities, but the people truly make the place. Everyone is supportive and welcoming from the moment you step onto campus, and that makes a big difference for me."
High School Honors:
All-Region Team (2024)
500 Kills Award (2024)
Offensive Player of the Year (2022)
All-Region Team (2023)
18U JVA/AAU Premier DIvision National Champions (2025)

#3 Lauren St. Charles

5-4 Libero
Carroll HS / MadFrog
Southlake, Texas
Parents: Stacey & Matthew St. Charles
Intended Major: Biology, Chemistry
Why I Chose Trinity: " I chose Trinity University because it offers the perfect balance between strong academics and competitive athletics. As someone who plans to play volleyball, I was drawn to the opportunity to continue growing as an athlete while also challenging myself in the classroom. Trinity's rigorous academic environment will prepare me well for the demands of a pre-med path, giving me a solid foundation for my future in medicine. Beyond that, the campus culture feels like a great fit for my personality—supportive, driven, and well-rounded. I can see myself thriving there both academically and personally while working toward my long-term goals."
High School Honors:
2nd Team All-District (2025)
6A-II UIL Texas HS State Champion (2025)
Academic All-District (2024, 2025)
THSCA Academic All State- 1st Team (2025)
AVCA Best and Brightest 1st Team (2025)

#4 Mae Noerager

6-1 Right Side
Homewood HS / NASA
Homewood, Ala.
Parents: Felicia & Brett Noerager
Intended Major: Undecided
Why I Chose Trinity: " Coach Jenkins, Coach Maggi, and the team made me feel so at home, I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else. I have always wanted to attend school nearby my hometown and Trinity is definitely not close by. This decision to move to Texas was terrifying for me, but I have never been more excited and petrified by an opportunity such as this laid out in front of me. "
High School Honors:
Team Captain (2025)
Class 6A Second Team All-State (2025, Hon. Mention 2024)
First Team All-Region (2025, Hon. Mention 2024)
First Team All-South Metro (2025, Hon. Mention 2024)
AVCA Best and Brightest 3rd Team(2025)

#17 Olivia Smitelli

6-0 Outside Hitter
Long Island Lutheran HS / Sportime
Farmingdale, N.Y.
Parents: Tiffany & Ken Smitelli
Intended Major: Biology
Why I Chose Trinity: " I chose Trinity University because of the excellent academics, as well as the opportunity to play with such a dynamic team. I am beyond excited to work with Coach Jenkins and Coach Maggi, and can't wait to get to know my teammates even better."
High School Honors:
PSAA Girls Volleyball Conference MVP (2025)
PSAA Playoff Championship MVP (2024, 2025)
PSAA Girls Volleyball All-Conference (2023, 2024)
Long Island Lutheran Girls Varsity Volleyball MVP (2025)
Top 10 Girls Long Island High School Players to Watch (2025)

#18 Annie Fulton

5-10 Right Side
June Shelton HS / MadFrog
Dallas, Texas
Parents: Kate & Ryan Fulton
Intended Major: Communications
Why I Chose Trinity: " I was so attracted to Trinity by its incredible academics and overall atmosphere among both its students and staff. I really wanted to be a part of an institution that cherishes learning while also fostering community among peers. When I came to visit for the first time, I fell in love with it immediately. The beautiful campus and the friendliness of everyone I encountered sealed the deal for me."
High School Honors:
Second Team All-District (2023, 2025)
Most Valuable Player (2023)
First Team All-District (2024)
Academic All-State (2024-25)
Offensive Player of the Year (2024)
Stell Leadership Award (2024)

#19 Emma Reeves

5-6 Setter
East HS / MadFrog
Plano, Texas
Parents: Judy & Darren Reeves
Intended Major: Psychology
Why I Chose Trinity: " I chose Trinity because the atmosphere I felt when I arrived on campus for the first time was amazing, one like no other. As a student from the second largest high school in Texas, I was immediately drawn to Trinity's smaller class sizes and 9:1student-faculty ratio, and I could tell right away that the professors here really care about their students' success."
High School Honors:
District 6-6A Second Team All-District (2023)
District 6-6A Honorable Mention (2024-25)
Academic All-State (2025)
Academic All-District (2022-2025)
5x Captain at Madfrog

#21 Kaylin Starling

5-11 Middle Blocker
Junior Transfer
McKinney Christian HS / 1United
Allen, Texas
Parents: Christy & Tim Starling
Intended Major: Biology (Cellular and Moleculary Biology Path)
Why I Chose Trinity: " Trinity has the exact combination of world-class academics and high-performing athletics I was looking for when I chose to transfer. Being within my home state of Texas was an extra benefit!"
High School / Club Honors:
TAPPS 4A State All-Tournament Team (2023)
TAPPS 5A/4A District 2 First Team All-District (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
TAPPS 5A/4A 2nd Team All-State (2021, 2022, 2023)
TAPPS 4A District 2 Co-Offensive Player of the Year (2022)
TAPPS 5A Honorable Mention All-State (2020)
TAPPS 5A District 2 Newcomer of the Year (2020)

#22 Annie Witt

5-9 Outside Hitter
Sophomore Transfer
Liberty Hill HS / Roots
Liberty Hill, Texas
Parents: Kelli & Tim Witt
Intended Major: Marketing
Why I Chose Trinity: " I chose Trinity University because from the very beginning, it always felt like where I was meant to end up. Being able to continue my volleyball career while receiving a great education made it feel like the perfect fit for me. I also love that San Antonio is close enough to home and that my grandparents live there, which makes the transition even more meaningful and comforting. Trinity truly feels like the place where I can grow both as a student and as an athlete!"
High School / Club Honors:
TGCA 5A All-State (2023, 2024)
25-5A First Team All-District (2023, 2024)
AVCA All-Region (2024)
Liberty Hill HS Volleyball Team MVP (2023, 2024 [Co MVP] )
UIL State Championship All-Tournament Team (2023)
25-5A Second Team All-District (2022)