Volleyball season is back, and there are some promising teams in Pierce County ready to take the court in 2026. Read what the coaches had to say ahead of the season:

What do you expect to be your team's strengths/identity?

Spring Valley Coach Kelli Schlegel: “We have a handful of returning starters, including two all conference players, as well as some previously injured players who are ready for the season. The girls have put in the time in the off season to make them better as individuals, and as a team.”

Elmwood/Plum City Coach Amanda Webb: “One of our strengths is that we are returning seven varsity players from last season. These girls are starting to mesh very well together on the court. Their desire to improve every day and consistent hustle have us ready to go for the upcoming season.”

Prescott Coach Geoffrey Snyder: “Most of our varsity players have a year of varsity experience under their belts now, and have used this summer at camps and league to connect and build on that experience with each other.”

Ellsworth Coach Kayla Klecker: “I expect the strength and identity of our Ellsworth volleyball team to come from our ability to play together, compete for one another, and stay committed to the process. Our team motto this year is ‘Play with a Purpose,’ and that will guide us throughout the season. We want every practice, match, and moment as a team to have intention behind it. We are focused on building a culture of discipline, resilience, and trust while continuing to grow as volleyball players and as teammates. Our identity will be a team that plays with energy, competes with confidence, and embraces the challenge of getting better every day. Ultimately, we want to be known not just for how we play, but for the purpose and character we bring to everything we do.”

River Falls Coach Sara Kealy: RF has a lot of experience this season. We have four seniors and they have a combined 11 years of varsity experience. That will help us because they know how challenging our schedule is with travel and level of competition as well as the pressure that comes with big matches/playoffs. 

What will be the key to a successful season?

Schlegel: “We will have a lot of depth in our offense with a wide range of hitters capable of being a threat. Keeping everyone healthy will be a huge milestone for us.”

Webb: “Our key to a successful season is how well we focus on being one cohesive team on the court that is constantly communicating.”

Snyder: “How we take on the challenges we face. When we make mistakes, take on big hitters or tough defenders, and face the grind of a season, our ability to respond and bounce back will be crucial in our success.”

Klecker: “Being brave to face all competition and know that we possess the skills and abilities to have the outcome of being a winner. Confidence is key. Our mental game has been a crutch for us in the past to persevere and get the win at the end of the night. We believe that starting off this season with the girls practicing strong, positive, constructive self-talk and team communication will be the step in the right direction that our program needs.”

Kealy: “I think the key to success every season is a team's ability to serve receive. We have a lot of offensive options, but utilizing them is dependent on being in system.”

Who on the team will you look to for leadership?

Schlegel: “I will be looking at our returning all-conference players, junior Katie Matthys and sophomore Kemri Schlegel. Katie will be a third-year starter for me and will need to set the tone on both the offensive side as well as the defensive side. Kemri will be taking the reins as our setter and will need to lead our offense and instill confidence in our hitters. But of course, my expectations are always to have every single player lead in their own way.”

Webb: “Our team will look to Polly Webb for leadership, as she is our setter who touches every ball on our side of the net. Abby Krings also plays a leadership role on our team.”

Snyder: “We will look at our three seniors, Grace Ptacek, Delaney Nelson, and Karlee Wall. They are extraordinary people who have accepted their senior leadership roles by being vocal on the court, modeling what it means to be a part of a team and being inclusive to our underclassmen.”

Klecker: “Our varsity roster currently is made up of only juniors and seniors. Our program's expectations are that our upperclassmen will always show leadership on and off the court. I see leadership qualities in all of our varsity athletes.”

Kealy: “Amelie and Brooke are our returning captains. They provide a lot of energy and carry a heavy load for us. I have been very impressed with the leadership of our other two seniors, Charlie and Haley. The four of them have complimented each other well throughout preseason.”

What are your goals for the team this year?

Schlegel: “Our number one goal is to stay consistent in our play and be competitive with every team we play. We need to ensure that we are making positive gains with each and every practice or match.”
Webb: “Our team goals are to win the Dunn-St. Croix Conference and always be better than the day before.”

Snyder: “Overcome adversity-- whether it is in the middle of a match or over the course of a few matches.”

Klecker: “Our program's goals this season is to: 1. Be a leading program in the Middle Border Conference. I want to be a shock factor to other teams. When Ellsworth walks into a gym and competes, I want people to turn their heads and be in shock and awe. 2. We want to push past the first round of Regionals. Time and time again our program has gotten caught against a very strong first round competitor during tournament season and we have come up a little short and unable to move on to the second round. I want to build the strength within the program to allow us to have a better regional placement or have the longevity and the skills necessary to beat our first-round competitor. 3. Program wide we want to develop our athletes in a competitive space to all grow at all levels and individually.”

Kealy: “Our goals are the same every year, win conference and go to state.”