BROCKPORT, NY – The SUNY Brockport women's volleyball team is heading to Canton and Potsdam, NY, this weekend to kick off the 2026 campaign. The Golden Eagles open at the North Country Classic, hosted by St. Lawrence University at the Ronald T. Burkman Gymnasium on Friday, before traveling to Alumni Gymnasium for a Saturday tri-match hosted by Clarkson University.  

Weekend Matchups: The opening weekend slate features four non-conference contests. On Friday, September 4th, Brockport faces SUNY Cobleskill at 5:30 p.m. followed by an 8:00 p.m. matchup against host St. Lawrence. On Saturday, September 5th, the Golden Eagles battle Middlebury College at 3:00 p.m. before wrapping up the weekend against host Clarkson at 5:00 p.m.

Looking Back at 2025: Last season, the Golden Eagles put together a strong 17-9 overall campaign behind an impressive 9-2 record in Empire 8 play. Brockport defended its home court with an 8-2 mark at The Vlog, fueling a blistering nine-game winning streak during conference action. Clinching a postseason berth for the 11th consecutive year (second in the Empire 8), the No. 3 seed Golden Eagles swept No. 6 Russell Sage 3-0 in the opening round before falling in a tight 3-2 battle against No. 2 Hartwick in the semifinals. 

 All-Conference Returners: Brockport returns three All-Conference selections from 2025:

Ana Parella (2nd-Team): Capped a standout freshman season as a force in the starting rotation, posting 133 kills (.229 hitting percentage) alongside a team-leading 59 total blocks (14 solo).

Madisen Jones (2nd-Team): Led the team with a .260 hitting percentage in her rookie year, racking up 194 kills (2.69 kills per set) on 485 attempts.

Kaitlyn Jewett (3rd-Team): Earned her second career postseason honor (3rd-Team SUNYAC in 2023). As the primary setter, Jewett started all 26 matches and played all 96 sets, dishing out 696 assists (7.25 per set) to cross the 2,000 career assist milestone, while adding 69 service aces and 187 digs.  

Maddy Howell was named Brockport's representative on the 2025 Women's Volleyball Tomorrow's Leaders Team for her leadership, integrity, and sportsmanship on and off the court.

Familiar Faces: Brockport returns 14 Golden Eagles for the 2026 season. The Green and Gold welcome back senior defensive specialist Elsie Logan, who missed most of the 2025 season. In 2024, Logan was named Empire 8 Libero of the Year, First-Team All-Conference, and AVCA DIII All-Region 3 Honorable Mention. Joining Logan and the All-Conference returners are juniors Grace Letterman, Lauryn Forand, Grace Ippoliti, Ellie Cusmano, Kaylee Dickerson-Holly, and Lauren Emke, alongside sophomores Ava Baty, Delaney Yusko, and Luba Butcher.  

Meet the Newcomers: Brockport retains the core of last year's roster while adding five new additions. The incoming class features junior transfers Alyssa Guzman and Anna Kurtzhalts, alongside first-years Olivia Stephenson, Ava Derenda, and Kiane Wells.  

Fourth Year for Coach Clar: Head Coach Jim Clar enters his fourth season at the helm after taking over the program in 2023. Clar has directed the Golden Eagles to back-to-back-to-back postseason semifinal appearances and holds a 22-9 conference record across the SUNYAC (2023) and Empire 8 (2024-2025). Brockport has remained nearly dominant at home under Clar, holding a 21-3 mark at The Vlog.  

Season Outlook: Following opening weekend, Brockport returns home to host the Brockport Invitational, followed by a Homecoming Weekend clash against RIT. Empire 8 action begins on the road at Hartwick on October 2nd. The Golden Eagles celebrate Senior Night on October 30th against Alfred before closing the regular season on October 31st against Houghton. The Empire 8 Tournament kicks off on Saturday, November 7th. 

 Up Next: Following the weekend four-game slate, the Green and Gold host Hilbert College, Grove City College, and St. Lawrence University at the Jim & John Vlogianitis Gymnasium for the Brockport Invitational on September 11th and 12th.