ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The 2026 Navy volleyball team consists of eight letter winners and 11 players from last year's team along with eight freshmen and nine new players in all.

Navy interrupts its training camp with a scrimmage at Morgan State this Saturday (Aug. 15), then will play host to Howard for another scrimmage on Aug. 22.  The Mids will travel to Kalamazoo, Mich., for three matches (Indiana State, Western Michigan, Green Bay) at the Western Michigan Invite Aug. 28-30 on the opening weekend of the regular season.  Navy starts the 2026 home slate by playing host to Penn, Coppin State and Stony Brook during the 15th playing of the Kristen Dickmann Invite Sept. 4-6 in the Wesley A. Brown Field House.

The 2025 squad ended the year with an overall record of 13-14, placed fifth in the Patriot League with an 8-8 record and won a road quarterfinal round match in the Patriot League Tournament to advance to the semifinal round of the postseason for the eighth time in the last nine tournaments that have been held.

The team utilized 20 different starting lineups last season, with players who totaled 73 starts back this season.  The returners include eight players who started at least five matches a year ago, which is in addition to the 24 matches in which returner Amara Chambers was the libero (the libero is not considered part of a starting lineup even though the position typically is on the floor at the start of each set).

Chambers averaged 3.27 digs per set last season, but that number increased to an average of 3.52 digs per set during the league campaign.

Grace Burgoyne started 14 matches last season in the middle.  This year's team captain produced an average of 1.58 kills and 0.63 blocks per set in league matches a year ago.

Farrah Eike missed a number of matches early in the 2025 campaign as she was recovering form an injury, but went on to generate a team-high 3.10 kills per set during the league's regular season.  

Caroline Buffum ranks second to Eike among returners with her average of 2.43 kills per set last season.  The outside hitter played in all but one match last year as a freshman.

Siena Morgan started only six matches last season, but was on the floor at the start of Navy's last five matches of the year. The middle blocker averaged 1.21 kills per set and hit .262 in those last handful of matches.

The Mids utilized three setters during the majority of the 2025 season, with Isa Boyd being the lone member of that trio who is on the 2026 roster.  She played in 90 of the team's 109 sets and dished out 4.38 assists per set in that span.

Additional returners are Madeline Bildeaux (16 kills and 18 blocks in 23 sets), Ally Alessio (1.79 digs per set), Paige Buzzerio (who was lost for the season after suffering an injury on the first day of the 2025 campaign), Ellen Gundlach (2.10 kills per set) and Baylee Doolan (1.70 digs per set).

New to the Navy team are (comments from head coach Paco Labrador follow each):
Caroline Adams, Freshman Setter
"Caroline is one of the hardest working setters you will ever see.  Her quickness combined with a relentless competitive drive make her fun to watch and a joy to coach."

Hailey Jacobus, Freshman Outside Hitter
"Hailey brings tremendous versatility to the roster.  She is a calm, smooth passer while at the same time an aggressive hitter and savvy blocker."

Kinamoni Jerome, Senior Setter
"Moni has been a huge addition at setter to our team.  She had a great spring season with us and brings a high volleyball IQ, a sneaky left-handed attack and neverending positive energy to the court." 

Simone Lawson, Freshman Setter
"Simone is a dual threat athlete, as a lefty setter she can run a fast offense but also attack at a very high level. At 6 '0'' she has great size at the net and strength as a blocker."

Avery Maddux, Freshman Middle Blocker
"Avery has all the tools of an elite middle blocker.  Her blocking speed and technique are already very well trained and her excellent vertical jump makes her a threat to score in a variety of scenarios."

Nicole Neal, Freshman Outside Hitter
"Nicole is a powerful attacker who has experience playing on both pins and also as a passer and defender.  She is a vocal presence on the court and is constantly working to develop her complete game."

Mackenzie Palumbo, Freshman Outside / Opposite Hitter
"Kenzie comes from a top ranked high school and club team in the Columbus area and knows what it takes to win.  She has the perfect combination of fun and focus on the court.  She can play on either pin and adds size to our front row."

Izzy Picard, Freshman Outside Hitter
"Izzy is a terminator.  She has been asked to carry the offensive load for several years on her High School and Club teams.  This allowed her to really refine her attacking and play with a great mix of power and precision.  She's comfortable in the back row and hits a dangerous float serve."

Lillian Schultheis, Freshman Setter / Defensive Specialist
"Lilly can do it all.  She was a high school mutli-sport athlete, playing volleyball, basketball and lacrosse.  On the court she has a great swing as a hitter, but is also a well trained setter and defensive player.  She's a testimony to the positive impact being a multi-sport athlete can have."