2026 Women's Volleyball Team (photo by Travis Bernhard)
A new era begins for Fredonia State women's volleyball in 2026, but the expectations remain familiar.
After earning its first SUNYAC Tournament berth since 2021 and hosting a postseason match last fall, Fredonia enters the upcoming season looking to take the next step: turning playoff qualification into a playoff victory.
The Blue Devils finished 12-16 overall and 6-3 in conference play in 2025, good enough to secure a home SUNYAC Tournament contest in Dods Hall.
Their season ended in a tightly contested five-set loss to SUNY Buffalo State University, but the postseason appearance marked a significant step forward for the program. Fredonia's last postseason victory came in 2018, giving this year's team a clear benchmark as it prepares for the new campaign.
Leading the program into that pursuit is first-year Head Coach Cal Crosby, who arrives in Fredonia after a successful tenure at Hilbert College. Crosby succeeds Geoff Braun, who retired following the 2025 season after building one of the most successful coaching careers in program history. Braun amassed 501 victories during 26 seasons at the helm, leaving behind a legacy of sustained success and a strong foundation for his successor.
Crosby inherits an experienced roster featuring multiple returning starters and a large senior class.
Among the team's key returners is senior setter Molly Cassidy, who anchors a veteran group that also includes senior opposite Bria Hunter, senior outside hitter Kylie O'Brien, junior outside hitter Maeve Musielak, and sophomore middle blocker Donnilynn Sheldon.
The Blue Devils also welcome back a deep supporting cast that includes junior libero Megan Nottis, senior libero Sasha Zayatz, senior setters Olivia Boswell and Payton Stoddard, senior middle blockers Hannah Lombardi and Cayla Partsch, senior opposite Bella Maloney, and junior outside hitter Logann Lexner.
O'Brien and Sheldon enter the season as the program's most recently decorated players. O'Brien earned First Team All-SUNYAC honors in 2025 after receiving Second Team recognition in 2024. A team captain last season, she has established herself as one of the conference's top all-around performers and will again be counted on as an offensive leader.
Sheldon made an immediate impact during her freshman season, earning Second Team All-SUNYAC honors while establishing herself as one of the conference's top young middle blockers. Now entering her sophomore campaign, she provides Fredonia with a proven front-row presence and a player whose best volleyball may still be ahead of her.
The Blue Devils' returning experience extends beyond the court. O'Brien, Musielak, and Boswell were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, highlighting the program's continued success in the classroom as well as competition.
The 2026 season opens Sept. 1 at the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford before another road test Sept. 5 at Nazareth. Fredonia's first home match comes Sept. 9 against Hilbert, adding an intriguing storyline as Crosby faces the program he previously led.
"It's definitely a unique experience," Crosby said, "to open at home against my former program. I expect a great battle from both teams because my former and current student-athletes know I expect them to compete for every point. Hilbert got the better of us last time, but we're looking forward to the opportunity to change that on September 9."
The SUNYAC also enters a new competitive structure this season with East and West divisions replacing the league's previous format. The conference tournament will begin Nov. 10, with the top eight teams qualifying for postseason play.
The Blue Devils are picked No. 4 in the SUNYAC Coaches Preseason poll.
