2025-26 MCAC women's volleyball preview

The Providence University College Pilots are set for one of the most exciting seasons in program history.

For the first time, they'll host the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association women's volleyball nationals, a year after the Pilots men welcomed the best CCAA teams in the nation to Niverville.

The defending MCAC champs have player of the year Tyra Peters and standout setter Amanda Bergen back to lead a team with a handful of key additions to another successful run as the 18-match season begins on Friday.

Sydney Turenne and Taylor Campbell are among the players coach Kyle Guenther will look for to replace the scoring of all-conference outside hitter Serena Algera.

"We are very excited to get this season underway. We have had a very competitive pre-season and have tested ourselves against a lot of high-quality opponents," Guenther said. "While we have a few in our returning core back for their graduating seasons, our team is fairly young overall. We will look to lean on the experience of our seniors as we try to find our stride early in the year."

The Pilots begin the season on the road against the Assiniboine College Cougars on Friday.

CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY BLAZERS

The Blazers reached last year's final but were unable to defend their title.

Now under first-year coach Craig McKenzie, they're chasing at least as high a finish with their veteran trio of setter Paige Wright and attackers Halle Meisner and Julia Sawatzky back in the fold.

Their big signings this season include middle blocker Victoria McPherson and libero Maria Johnson.

"Looking forward to my first season with the Blazers and I could not have asked for a better group of athletes and coaches to go through it with," McKenzie said.

The Blazers open with a road match against the Université de Saint-Boniface Les Rouges on Friday.

ASSINIBOINE COLLEGE COUGARS

The Cougars continue to grow and push for their first final appearance. This could be the year they break through.

With all-Canadian Kylee Peake, Heather Brost and Marie Dunster back another year stronger, they are eager to make the push.

Coach Kevin Neufeld added six rookies and expects the team's level of play in practices and games to elevate.

"We look forward to all opportunities to compete and battle for every point," Neufeld said.

"This may be the closest all four teams have been in recent years."

UNIVERSITÉ DE SAINT-BONIFACE LES ROUGES

Les Rouges have loaded up with plenty of new faces as they look to rebuild back to championship form after missing the playoffs last year.

All-conference middle Razan Haj Hassan leads the group of returning starters to pair with seven rookies.

Head coach Evan Turenne also expects a lot of parity in the league this year.

"Our team is young but filled with athleticism and determination," Turenne said. "Overall, this team has already been very fun to coach and I can't wait to see how much we progress through the season."

Evening women's matches begin at 6 p.m. this year, with men's matches starting at 7:45 p.m.