CRESSON, Pa. — The Mount Aloysius College women's volleyball team enters the 2026 season with a new challenge in front of them: building on the most successful season in program history.

Head Coach Brianna Baker and the Mounties are coming off a historic 2025 campaign that saw Mount Aloysius capture its first-ever Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) regular-season championship, advance to the AMCC Championship match for the first time in program history and set a new program record with 20 wins. The Mounties finished the season with a 20-8 record, surpassing the previous single-season wins mark of 18, set in 2019.

Baker's efforts throughout the historic campaign were recognized by her peers, as she was voted the AMCC Coach of the Year for the third time in her career. Baker previously earned the honor in 2018 and 2022.

Now, as the Mounties turn the page to 2026, they will look to maintain the momentum of their record-setting season while replacing several key contributors from last year's championship-caliber squad.

Mount Aloysius was selected to finish third in the 2026 AMCC Preseason Coaches' Poll, behind Penn State Behrend and Penn State Altoona. The Mounties enter the season looking to take the next step after falling to Penn State Behrend in a five-set thriller in last year's AMCC Championship match.

While the Mounties will have to replace the production of a decorated senior class, including two-time AMCC Player of the Year Molly Richards, Baker returns a strong core of proven talent while welcoming a large incoming class that will provide additional depth throughout the roster.

Richards leaves behind one of the most accomplished careers in Mountie volleyball history. After being named the 2022 AMCC Newcomer of the Year and earning Third Team All-AMCC honors as a freshman, Richards captured Player of the Year honors as a sophomore before adding another First Team All-AMCC selection and her second Player of the Year award last season. She finished her career second all-time in program history in career kills, trailing only Baker.

The Mounties will also look to replace the contributions of Kaylee Smith, but with the majority of last year's roster returning, Baker has a strong foundation of experience to work with heading into the new campaign.

Leading that returning group are senior sisters Madison and Mackenzie Barr, who were both named First Team All-AMCC last season and have been selected as the Mounties' Players to Watch entering 2026. Madison Barr returns as one of the conference's top defensive players after anchoring the Mounties' back row a year ago. She finished fourth in the AMCC with 454 digs and third with 4.73 digs per set, providing consistency and stability for a Mountie defense that played a major role in the team's historic season. Her sister, Mackenzie Barr, gives Mount Aloysius a proven presence at the net. The senior outside hitter ranked fourth in the conference with a .266 hitting percentage and eighth with 273 total kills last season. She also finished among the AMCC leaders in blocks, giving the Mounties a strong two-way threat at the front of the net.

With both Barr sisters returning, Mount Aloysius brings back two of its most experienced and productive players as the Mounties look to once again compete near the top of the conference.

The Mounties will also return both setters who saw significant playing time last season in senior Reghyn Wilson and sophomore Kiersten Cummings. Wilson enters her senior season following a Third Team All-AMCC campaign in which she recorded 517 assists, ranking fifth in the conference. Her 5.50 assists per set also ranked fifth in the AMCC. Wilson reached the 1,000-career-assist milestone during last season's AMCC semifinal victory over Hilbert, setting a career high with 40 assists in the win. Cummings provides another experienced option at setter after gaining valuable collegiate experience as a freshman. Together, the duo gives Baker two setters who are familiar with the Mounties' offensive system and have already competed in high-pressure conference matches.

Junior Aviana Chilmaza also returns after playing in all but one set last season. Chilmaza recorded 62 kills and 19 blocks while providing a steady presence in the Mountie lineup.

While experience remains a major strength for the Mounties, one of the biggest additions to this year's roster is the sheer size of the incoming class. Baker welcomes 12 freshmen and transfers to Mount Aloysius for the 2026 season, creating a deep roster that will blend returning experience with a new group of players eager to make their mark.

With only six players departing from last year's roster, the Mounties have an opportunity to develop significant depth across the court while introducing a new group of players to a program coming off its most successful season to date.

That combination of veteran leadership and new talent will be one of the major storylines throughout the season as Mount Aloysius looks to establish itself as one of the AMCC's premier programs. The Mounties enter the campaign with their sights set on another run at the conference championship, this time with a roster featuring senior leadership, returning contributors and an influx of young talent.

With the Barr sisters leading the way, Wilson and Cummings directing the offense and 12 newcomers joining a roster that already has championship-game experience, Mount Aloysius enters the 2026 season ready to turn last year's historic foundation into continued success.

The Mounties will begin that journey a week from today when they host the Geneva Golden Tornadoes at 6:00 p.m. inside the ACWC. Mount Aloysius will look to earn its first-ever victory over Geneva, as the Golden Tornadoes hold a 4-0 all-time record against the Mounties.

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