The 2026 College of Wooster volleyball team is hoping to turn some heads with the development of its roster and with the loss of just one senior to graduation (Izzy Cozzie) from last year's team. 

According to head coach Sarah Davis, that work started this past spring.

"The returning players were hungry for more success," Davis said. "We have a great group of senior leaders - Kora Burill, Natalie Hohman, Jordan Laraway and Emma Fleck - who since their first year on campus have been pushing themselves to grow as players and have consistently encouraged the team to strive for even higher standards.

"We are really excited to see how that hard work translates to success on the court this fall."

Three juniors round out a roster of seven upper class players, and eight first-years return for their sophomore campaigns. Two first-years, Lillian Beasley (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Claire Buchholz (Burbank, Ohio), join the program looking to make an impact of their own.

"Lillian and Claire have made a seamless transition to the team," Davis said. "Both are extremely aware and versatile players and bring high-level club experience to the program."

Three returnees reached at least 100 kills – Laraway (133), Burill (101) and Tamarra Talbert (100). Burill and Talbert also are Wooster's top defenders at the net, each clocking 46 blocks a year ago.

"They have all continued to grow in their time in the program and are poised for breakout seasons," Davis said. "Ireland Oswick, MC Werth, Evelyn Hackney, Caitlin Walsh-Knouff all had great spring seasons and made big strides.  MC and Evelyn provide great blocking ability and Ireland and Caitlin have become dynamic six-rotation attackers."

Another boost for the squad will be the return of sophomore Ava Hills, who missed her freshman campaign with an injury. Davis boasts Hills as one of the stronger blockers of the program.

Kennedy Muhlenkamp returns as the team's leading setter with 299 assists. Also returning is the senior Fleck, who became the team's main setter in 2024 and was sidelined with an injury for the entire 2025 season. 

Of the defensive leaders, junior Catherine Muzilla returns with a team-high 338 digs in 2025. The senior Hohman collected 190 digs herself a year ago.

Junior Addie Gardner and sophomores Adeline Zinger and Shaylynn Rogaski provide defensive depth and serving strength.

"We have a lot of trust in Natalie and Cat to successfully lead our backcourt defense," Davis said. "They bring the drive to be excellent and their experience working together for the last two years shows in serve receive and defense. We are so lucky to have such an experienced backcourt."

The Scots open play on Sept. 1 when they host Allegheny College in its home opener inside Timken Gymnasium.

Looking further, the Scots will compete in three matches across two days which includes its annual Kilt Classic on Sept. 18, and Wooster will open North Coast Athletic Confernce play on Sept. 26 when they host Kenyon College.

"This team is going to surprise some opponents," Davis added. "They have shown they are open to learning, and as a program we will work relentlessly to continue our growth all season long. It's our goal to be playing our best volleyball come NCAC play."