WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College women's volleyball program brings back a wealth of returners as it looks to return to the Presidents' Athletic Conference Tournament in 2026. The new campaign will kick off at home on Tuesday, Sept. 1 when the Presidents host Muskingum University for a non-conference match.
 
2025 Season Review: W&J finished last fall with a 16-13 overall record, and an 11-5 record in conference matches. The Presidents proved to be dominant against PAC South Division foes en route to claiming the top spot on their side of the conference.
 
The Presidents opened the first few weeks of their schedule with a 5-2 mark with wins over Kalamazoo, Oberlin, Pitt-Greensburg, Penn College and Penn State Altoona. After suffering through a five-match losing streak, W&J rebounded with four-straight wins, all coming in PAC play. Highlighting the win streak was back-to-back home wins over Thiel and Chatham.
 
W&J alternated wins and losses over the next few weeks. Wins over Franciscan, Saint Vincent and Waynesburg allowed the Presidents to stay near the top of the PAC South standings. The Presidents closed the regular season strong, earning conference wins over Bethany, Geneva, Franciscan and Chatham to secure the top spot in the South division. 
 
 The Presidents season ended with a tough five-set setback in the PAC Tournament Quarterfinals. The Red and Black had match point, but a late rally gave the Wolverines the victory.
 
"Our overall growth throughout last season spoke to the commitment of each student-athlete in our program," fifth-year head coach Lindsey Llewellyn said. "We did not let tough early season losses shake us, and I felt that our ability to find a flow despite several key injury losses was crucial. Losing to a strong Grove City team to end the season was tough, but seeing them go on to sweep the conference also showed us that we are right there with the top of the PAC. We are coming into 2026 with a large group of returners, but also a group that I think will be fueled by last season."
 
Three Presidents earned All-PAC honors. Despite the team success, no Presidents earned First Team recognition. Faith Fetsko (Venetia, Pa./South Park) and Brielle Moorhouse (East Liberty, Ohio/Benjamin Logan) found their way onto the Second Team while Cali Dagen (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) landed as an Honorable Mention. Fetsko, who finished as a four-time All-PAC honoree, capped a stellar career at W&J. Fetsko finished her career with 1,114 kills and 1,056 digs, as she became just the second President to surpass 1,000 in both categories during the rally scoring era.
 
Moorhouse produced 789 assists, 225 digs and 22 service aces during her junior campaign to pick up her first all-conference honor. Dagen made an immediate impact with 229 kills to rank second on the squad and earn all-league recognition.
 

2026 PAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll (Predicted order of finish)
School (first-place votes)	Points	2025 record (conference)
1. Grove City College (8)	122	20-9 (9-7 PAC)
2. Hiram College (2)	115	26-3 (15-1 PAC)
3. Washington & Jefferson College (1)	96	16-13 (11-5 PAC)
4. Chatham University	91	16-9 (11-5 PAC)
5. Franciscan University (1)	88	12-13 (8-8 PAC)
6. Westminster College (1)	84	20-11 (10-6 PAC)
7. Thiel College	75	18-9 (11-5 PAC)
8. Allegheny College	71	14-13 (8-8 PAC)
9. Saint Vincent College	52	9-15 (7-9 PAC)
10. Bethany College	33	7-18 (4-12 PAC)
11. Geneva College	26	5-24 (2-14 PAC)
12. Waynesburg University	17	2-25 (0-16 PAC)
Saint Francis University*	---	20-9 (14-2 NEC)

* - Ineligible for PAC Championship as school reclassifies from Division I
 
Washington & Jefferson College - PAC Players to Watch

Name	Yr.	Pos.
Cali Dagen (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) (HM)	So.	OH/DS
Sophie Little (Marysville, Ohio/Fairbanks)	Sr.	MB/OH
Brielle Moorhouse (East Liberty, Ohio/Benjamin Logan) (2)	Sr.	S

Team Captains: Brielle Moorhouse (East Liberty, Ohio/Benjamin Logan), Bella Anzevino (Brunswick, Ohio/Buckeye), Sophie Little (Marysville, Ohio/Fairbanks)
 
Returners: W&J returns 16 players from last year's roster which includes seven seniors, two juniors and seven sophomores. Three returners have earned All-PAC honors thus far during their careers.
 
Middle Hitter/Middle Blocker – A pair of seniors will lead the way in the middle of the net for the Presidents. Sophie Little (Marysville, Ohio/Fairbanks) will look to regain her two-time All-PAC form after missing most of last year due to injury. Little totaled 549 kills and 176 total blocks over her first two-plus seasons with the team. Little amassed a .375 hitting percentage during that time.
 
Abby Oldham (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) has been a key cog in the Presidents' efforts the past two seasons. She ranked among the best in the conference in terms of blocking during that time. Oldham finished with 96 total blocks as a sophomore before tallying 91 total blocks a season ago. Oldham added a career-best 194 kills during her junior campaign.
 
Lola Jacobs (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) put together an impactful first season last fall. Jacobs finished with 151 kills and 48 total blocks during her freshman year. Aubrey Fetchik (Chardon, Ohio/Chardon) and Morgan Gale (Strongsville, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) will look to make an impact as newcomers to the collegiate game.
 
Setter – The Presidents return their top two at the setter position in Moorhouse and Isabella Bottiglieri (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin).
 
Moorhouse has played a role at the position for the past three years. Moorhouse enters 2026 with 1,777 assists, 577 digs and 55 service aces over the past three seasons.
 
"Brielle has been a consistent presence for our team, and as a setter this has been critical for our overall offense," said Llewellyn. "Our captains are largely selected by the team as a whole, and I am happy to see that those around her also recognize the impact she makes within our program. I expect her to continue playing an important role as both a teammate and player, and to leave a mark in her final season."
 
Bottiglieri made valuable contributions at the position last season as a freshman. She tallied 198 assists, 88 digs and 13 service aces while appearing in 16 matches.
 
Outside Hitter/Right Side – W&J will search for ways for replace the production on the outside from Fetsko, who finished with a team-high 329 kills a season ago.

Dagen finished with 229 kills last fall and will be expected to build off that output in her second season. Rising sophomores Lola Jacobs (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) and Stella Stossel (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) made contributions as first-year collegiate players a season ago. Jacobs accounted for 151 kills and ranked second on the squad with 48 blocks in 25 matches (21 starts).   
 
"Cali has been one of several notable additions to our program as a young contributor," Llewellyn said. "While her on-court performance garnered All-PAC accolades, she also brings a big presence to our team as a great teammate as well. Along with other classmates, she has really found her voice on the court throughout the past year. We are excited that this is still just the beginning of her career, and hope that the next three seasons build on her early success."
 
Rian Benz (Strongsville, Ohio/Holy Name) also returns to the fold after missing last season due to injury. Benz totaled 453 kills, 519 digs, 57 total blocks and 32 service aces over her first two seasons with the Red and Black. Benz finished with 200+ kills during her freshman and sophomore seasons.
 
Stella Stossel (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) also returns after seeing time at right side last fall. Stossel finished with 79 kills and 32 total blocks in 12 starts (28 games played) as a freshman.
 
Anna Watson (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove Area), Alyssa Trn (Shippensburg, Pa./Shippensburg Area), Emma Padovano (Richwood, Ohio/North Union) and Callie Dorsey (Richeyville, Pa./Bethlehem-Center) are also among the returners at the positions. Additionally, Kenna Adams (Finleyville, Pa./Ringgold), Eva McKnight (East Liverpool, Ohio/Beaver) and Kaelyn Hatzel (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) will compete for playing time at the positions.
 
Libero/Defensive Specialist – Despite the loss of a four-year mainstay on the back line in Piper McFarland (West Mifflin, Pa./Cornerstone Preparatory Academy), the Presidents should have plenty of options to fill the libero spot along with the other defensive roles. McFarland proved to be a mainstay over the past four years, using her gritty yet energetic style of play to finish second on the W&J record books with 1,976 career digs.
 
Among those returning for the defensive unit is sophomore Sydney Allen (Washington, Pa./Trinity). The local product from Trinity High School made an immediate impact a season ago. Allen leads all returners with 241 digs, which ranked third on the squad last year. The rising sophomore led the Presidents with 44 service aces in her debut season last fall.
 
Sophomore Jordan Sirianni (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) along with seniors Bella Anzevino (Brunswick, Ohio/Buckeye) and Gabby Leadbitter (Finleyville, Pa./Wheeling Central Catholic) bring back experience to the defensive back line. Sirianni finished with 107 digs and ranked second on the squad with 43 service aces in her first season with the Presidents. Anzevino has appeared in 78 matches and has 570 digs over her three seasons with the team.
 
Sophomore transfer Ayla Altman (Washington, Pa./Bishop Canevin) joins the group of defensive players following her transfer from Maine Maritime Academy. Altman finished with 149 digs and 33 service aces last fall for the Mariners.
 
Newcomers: The Presidents welcome six newcomers to the roster for the 2026 season.
 
"Our incoming players bring a variety of personalities and skill sets to our gym," Llewellyn said. "I am most proud of the character and sportsmanship that they show, and I know that they will positively represent W&J and our program throughout their careers."
 

No.	Name	Yr.	Pos.	Ht.
2	Kaelyn Hatzel (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk)	Fr.	OH/MB	5-6
12	Aubrey Fetchik (Chardon, Ohio/Chardon)	Fr.	MB	5-10
15	Eva McKnight (East Liverpool, Ohio/Beaver)	Fr.	RS/MB	6-0
18	McKenna Adams (Finleyville, Pa./Ringgold)	Fr.	OH/DS	5-6
22	Morgan Gale (Strongsville, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit)	Fr.	OH/MB	5-10
26	Ayla Altman (Washington, Pa./Bishop Canevin)	So.	DS	5-1

 
Coaching Staff: Lindsey Llewellyn enters her fifth season as head volleyball coach at W&J in 2026.
 
Llewellyn led the Presidents to the PAC South regular season division crown during the 2025 season. W&J finished the regular season slate with an 11-5 mark in conference play, as a sweep over Chatham in the regular season finale sealed the top spot in the division. The Presidents put three players on the All-PAC teams following the season. 

In April of 2025, Llewellyn was named a recipient of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Thirty Under 30 award. The Thirty Under 30 program recognizes up-and-coming coaches in different sectors of the sport who serve in a range of roles, from head coach to volunteer assistant to club director. These honorees work hard and are passionate about teaching, helping players reach their full potential, and growing the game at the collegiate level.
 
Courtney Hilyer and Casey Przybylinski along with Frank Moyer return to the coaching staff in 2026. Hilyer put together a historic coaching tenure at league foe Bethany College. Hilyer amassed 327 victories and helped the Bison secure three conference titles during her time with the Bison. A graduate of Waynesburg University, this marks the third-straight season that Przybylinski has assisted Llewellyn.
 
Looking At The Schedule: The 2026 slate opens with five-straight home matches. Following it season opener versus Muskingum on Sept. 1, the Presidents host the inaugural Vicki Staton Memorial Tournament on Sept. 4-5. W&J will face Alma, Meredith, Oberlin and Bluffton at the first-year event that will recognize the legacy of the legendary Coach Staton.
 
"It is an honor for our program to recognize and commemorate the impact that Coach Staton has made on W&J athletics," Llewellyn said. "Though our team may not have had the privilege to know her personally, honoring her last season and hosting an event like this during the upcoming season allows us to continue sharing her legacy with the future of our program. We will forever be indebted to her for the opportunities she paved the way for, and hope that she would be proud of the young women who wear red and black for W&J volleyball each year."
 
W&J heads to Ohio for four matches the following week, facing Denison on Sept. 8 before facing Capital, Otterbein and Trine at the Pam Briggs Classic on Sept. 11-12.
 
The Presidents will face Carlow, Penn State Behrend and Mount Union the following week before conference play opens. Back-to-back conference matches with Franciscan (Sept. 23) and Westminster (Sept. 26) open the league slate.
 
W&J heads to Saint Francis and Carnegie Mellon in out-of-league matches on Sept. 30 and Oct. 3. The Presidents remain on the road for conference clashes at Saint Vincent (Oct. 7) and Grove City (Oct. 9).
 
The Presidents host Alumni Day as part of Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 10.
 
Consecutive home matches with Chatham (Oct. 14), Geneva (Oct. 17) and Allegheny (Oct. 23) highlight the mid-October portion of the schedule.
 
The regular season closes with three of the final four matches coming on the road. After trips to Bethany (Oct. 28) and Thiel (Oct. 31), the Presidents host Waynesburg on Nov. 4). The regular season finale is at Hiram on Nov. 7.
 
The PAC Tournament follows with the quarterfinals taking place on Nov. 10. The semifinals are slated for Nov. 12 while the championship match will occur on Nov. 14.
 
Final Word from Llewellyn: "Each season and each team brings a new opportunity for growth and success for our WJVB program. It is an honor to work with student-athletes who leave a positive impact both as athletes and as young women of good character, and I feel a great sense of pride in each player who makes up this year's team. They have learned from wonderful leaders before them, and I am excited to see them lead a new roster to success in 2026!"