WILKES-BARRE - The Wilkes University women's volleyball team is set to begin the 2026 season under new head coach Zach Shay '24 who is the 11th head coach in the women's program history. 

"It's always been a dream of mine to be involved in college athletics. To live out that dream every single day, it has been a blessing," Shay exclaimed when asked about being a former player at Wilkes and now a first-year head coach.

The Colonels finished last season with a 15-16 overall record and 2-7 record in Landmark conference play. Shay leads a roster consisting of 14 players, four seniors, two juniors, seven sophomores, and four first-years. 

"This young group of women, you know they love to compete…I have to thank the previous coaching staff for really laying the groundwork for this program and setting us up and putting us in a position to be successful. I have to shout out to my four seniors, they're natural leaders on the court, they bring a lot of experience," Shay said. 

The four seniors leading the squad are Maddy Durfee (Attica, NY/Attica), Rachael Anderson (Canmore, AB/West Island College), Ava Wahlers (Coudersport, PA/Coudersport), and Kendra Kalp (Somerset, PA/Rockwood). Last season, Anderson led the team in assists (601) by a wide margin. Aiding the offensive attack, Wahlers was fourth in kills (132) while also performing on the defensive end with 41 blocks on the season. 

The junior class is made up of Annalyse Santowasso (Middlesex, NJ/Rutgers Prep) and Mikaela Hughes (Nolensville, TN/Fred J Page). Last season, Santowasso led the team in digs (398) and was third in service aces (30). 

There was a tremendous amount of contribution from the sophomore class with Emilee Alterhoult, Mackenzie Adams (Lake Ariel, PA/Western Wayne), Mia Leon (Ponce, PR/Caribbean), Charlize Leukus (York haven, PA/Red Land), Abby Dornblaser (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown), and Diana Fuentes (Allentown, PA/Lehigh Valley Academy). Middle hitter Alterhoult led the team in a strong defensive season leading the team in blocks (57). Dornblaser finished third in kills (207) and fourth in blocks (15). After playing a dominant season, Leon was second on the team last year for kills (226) and service aces (31), finishing third in blocks (39).

"College volleyball is faster, tougher, and everyone is stronger…They've definitely impressed since walking in on day one, and I'm excited to see how they develop throughout the season," Shay mentioned.

Wilkes welcomes the additions of middle hitter Olivia Contreras (Northridge, CA/Grover Cleveland), opposite hitter Isabella Maopolski, outside hitter Leah Nagle (Orefield, PA/Northwestern Lehigh), and defensive specialist Molly Siemon (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty). 

The 2026 season begins against Albright College on Tuesday, September 1 in the Marts Center at 7:00 p.m. The Colonels begin their Landmark Conference play away at The University of Scranton on Friday, October 2 at 6:00 p.m.

"Extremely, extremely exciting to be back and have the Colonels back on campus, and hopefully we get many Colonels in the gym with us supporting us," Shay explained, "Albright always proves to be a tough opponent, and actually another first year coach getting after us and trying to compete. So we have a very, very exciting match up, two coaches in their first game of their season."