The Saint Mary’s volleyball team will enter its 11th season under head coach Denise Van De Walle, and the team is looking for a more successful 2025-26 season. Last year, the Belles finished 10-13 overall and 2-6 in conference play, not giving them an avenue to the MIAA tournament. Saint Mary’s went 5-3 at home while going 2-6 during their away games. This year, they look to improve on that disparity.
Following last season, the Belles graduated their sole senior, Cali Allen. Allen was a highly valuable outside hitter, but the Belles welcome five incoming freshmen this year and they welcome back a significant number of returners who heavily impacted the team last year.
Sophomore duo middle and outside hitter Kalli Lewkowski and setter Giuliana Graczyk will return for the Belles this year. Lewkowski competed in all 80 sets as a freshman, while Graczyk was also a heavy competitor, participating in 65. Lewkowski was a team leader on the court as she led the group with a .302 hitting percentage, while also coming in second with 214 kills on the season, 43 blocks and a season total of 244 points. Graczyk followed her classmate, ranking second on the team with 308 assists, third in service aces with 16 and fifth in digs with 109.
Senior defensive specialist Karli Fegan will return for the Belles, looking to rule on the court. Fegan led the team during the last season with a team-high of 333 digs while also being named MIAA defensive specialist of the week. Alongside her, senior middle hitter and outside hitter Grace Braselton showed her worth on the court as she finished last season with 97 kills, 109 points overall and 19 blocks.
The team starts off their season with a trip to Sandusky, Ohio to compete in the Cedar Point Invitational starting at 3 p.m. on Aug. 29 against Oberlin and finishing at noon on Aug. 30 against Kenyon before hitting the road to battle Benedictine on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.
