Weinberg building solid 2026 squad
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville head volleyball coach Zach Weinberg has signed three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to join the Purple Aces program.
Weinberg’s class includes Carsyn Kelley (Setter/Bettendorf, Iowa), Wren Jones (Outside Hitter/Conway, Ark.), and Aubry Dowling (Libero/Greenfield, Ind.).
“Our coaching staff is so excited to welcome this dynamic class to our Evansville Volleyball family! Carsyn, Wren, and Aubry are going to fit in so well with where we are trying to go as we reframe Aces Volleyball,” Weinberg exclaimed. “Their personalities all balance each other incredibly well, and they are going to fit seamlessly into our current team. If there is one thing they all have in common, it is that they are proven winners, and they are all excited about aiding our resurgence in the Missouri Valley Conference in years to come. Welcome Carsyn, Wren, and Aubry!”
Carsyn Kelley – Setter – Bettendorf, Iowa
Kelley joins the Purple Aces program after spending her senior season (2025-26) at Assumption High School. From 2022 through 2024, Kelley attended Pleasant Valley HS. On Nov. 6, Kelley’s team capped a 24-7 season with a 3A State Championship. She completed her senior campaign with 767 assists, 76 kills, 43 blocks, and 27 service aces. Kelley was named a 1st Team All-State player.
As a junior, Kelley was named a 2nd Team All-Conference and 3rd Team All-State player. Her Pleasant Valley HS squad went 35-2 on its way to the Class 5A State Championship. She is a 2-time Player of the Semifinal game in the state tournament.
Coach Weinberg on Kelley
“Carsyn is a cerebral setter with an incredibly high volleyball IQ. She comes from a volleyball family and grew up in the gym with a mom who coaches, so she understands the game at a level far beyond her years. She will add some size to our setting room and is already technically sound as a setter. Having set her team to back-to-back Iowa state championships, Carsyn knows what it takes to win. She will graduate from high school in December and join us this spring, giving her a chance to acclimate to student-athlete life at UE and be fully prepared for her freshman season in 2026.””
Wren Jones – Outside Hitter – Conway, Arkansas
Jones comes to Evansville from Conway HS where she helped her team win the Arkansas 6A State Championship as her team won the state final by a final score of 3-1. In the semifinals, Jones recorded 36 kills, 16 digs, and four aces to help her squad advance. Jones was named the Most Valuable Player of the state tournament while earning All-Tournament recognition. The AVCA All-Region honoree was also a First Team All-State and First Team All-Conference player in her final season.
She completed her high school career as the program record holder in single season kills (543) and career kills (1,228). The 2024 Arkansas Max Preps Player of the Year helped her team to a state title as a junior while picking up First Team All-State and First Team All-Conference recognition.
Coach Weinberg on Jones
“Wren is a physical and athletic outside hitter who plays her game well above the height of the net. A gifted attacker, Wren just led her high school team to back-to-back state titles in Arkansas’ largest class and was named the MVP of the state tournament while doing so. Don’t let her sweet southern demeanor fool you…she is relentless on the court and can score points in bunches!”
Aubry Dowling – Libero – Greenfield, Ind.
Dowling remains in her home state following her career at Mt. Vernon HS. The Academic All-State honoree was named her team’s Defensive Player of the Year. In her senior season, Dowling recorded 440 digs, 32 aces, and 56 assists.
She was an Honorable Mention to the Super Team of Central Indiana while being named a Second Team All-Hancock County player. As a junior, she finished with 362 digs, 41 aces, and 40 assists.
Coach Weinberg on Dowling
“Aubry is a scrappy libero whose commanding presence immediately makes any back row that she is playing in better! She is a solid serve receiver, relentless defender, and excellent court leader. Aubry has personality for days, and when her volleyball career ends, she will be a natural fit for the sports broadcasting career she hopes to pursue. Aces fans are going to love watching Aubry fly around the back row! “
