PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – After more than doubling its win total from the previous season, the Plattsburgh State women's volleyball team enters the 2026 campaign with its sights set on returning to postseason play. The Cardinals made significant strides throughout last season and will look to build on that momentum when they open the new campaign tomorrow, Sept. 1, hosting Clarkson in Memorial Hall.
2025 CARDINAL SNAPSHOT:
Record: 9-16 (2-7 SUNYAC)
Head coach
Eimile O'Brien enters her third season at the helm of the Cardinals, looking to build on the program's continued progress. Under O'Brien, Plattsburgh more than doubled its win total in her second season while producing an All-SUNYAC selection, providing a strong foundation to build upon heading into 2026.
The Cardinals concluded the 2025 campaign with a 9-16 overall record, earning two wins in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play. After more than doubling their win total from the previous season, Plattsburgh showed noticeable progress throughout the year. The Cardinals opened conference play with a sweep of North Country rival Potsdam during a four-match winning streak and proved resilient, competing in five matches that reached a deciding fifth set.
At the conclusion of the season, junior outside hitter
Liya Girma (Sachse, Texas/Bishop Lynch) earned All-SUNYAC Third Team honors after leading the Cardinals offensively throughout the 2025 campaign.
Coach's Insights:
"Our coaching staff is very optimistic about our team this year," said O'Brien. "We have been building something we are proud to be a part of, and you can see that in the way we have been practicing. The addition of our first years fills a huge role in the middle and has opened up our offense in a really exciting way. Our team has worked really hard in the offseason, and it shows in our athleticism. We are so excited to see this team continue to develop into the potential we see for them."
Players' Insights:
"We are thrilled to welcome the new additions to the team and excited for the opportunity to watch our culture continue to evolve. We're building something special together, and we're excited to see that grow into something generational," said the Cardinals' captains
Anabella Almeida,
Darby Collyear, Girma, and
Iris Mulvey.
Team Outlook:
Plattsburgh returns a strong core of contributors from last season while welcoming new faces to the roster. That blend of experience and emerging talent will be key as Plattsburgh looks to build consistency and continue its upward trajectory in 2026. Veteran hitters and a dynamic group of setters will anchor the offense, while a developing defensive unit looks to build on last season's foundation and take on expanded roles following the departure of
Bridget Ryan, who led the team in digs last season.
The Cardinals will feature a 17-player roster in 2026, including 10 returners from last season's squad. The returning group is highlighted by offensive powerhouse Girma, who was an All-SUNYAC honoree and assists leader
Anabella Almeida (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush). Plattsburgh also welcomes seven newcomers, including one transfer, who will compete for opportunities throughout the season.
Inside the Nest:
Libero/Defensive Specialist
Following the graduation of Ryan, who anchored the Cardinals' back row as the team's libero and led the squad in digs last season, Plattsburgh enters 2026 with an open competition at the position and several players ready to step into an expanded role.
The libero position will feature senior
KC Burke (Murrieta, Calif./Northfield Mount Hermon [Mass.]), senior transfer
Care Elfner (Chicago, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor), and sophomore
Elena Stavroulakis (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) in a competitive battle for the libero position entering the 2026 season. Burke finished with 48 digs in 10 matches a season ago, while Stavroulakis appeared in 12 matches and recorded 22 digs during her first-year campaign. Elfner brings collegiate experience with 581 career digs from her time competing at Baruch and Linfield. They provide experience and depth as the Cardinals look to replace Ryan's production.
Junior
Jen Longway (Essex Junction, Vt./Essex) and sophomore
Cathryn Todd (Potsdam, N.Y./Potsdam) will look to build on their experience and add depth to the Cardinals' defensive unit after seeing action last season, while first-year
Avery Jackson (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) adds another option as the Cardinals develop a competitive and versatile back row.
Middle Blocker
Returning to the middle blocker group is sophomore
Lindsay Pedersen (Beacon, N.Y./Beacon), who appeared in nine matches last season and will provide valuable experience to a young position group.
First-years
Brooke Anderson (Queensbury, N.Y./Queensbury),
Addison Gokey (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy), and
Augustina White (Newburgh, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) add athleticism to a new-look middle blocker group.
Opposite
The opposite position will be headlined by senior
Darby Collyear (Rockwall, Texas/Rockwall), who returns after a strong 2025 season. Collyear ranked third on the team with 185 kills while providing a defensive presence at the net with 45 blocks, which was second among the Cardinals.
Outside Hitter
The Cardinals return a strong outside hitter group that will feature Girma, who had a standout 2025 campaign in which she paced the team with 316 points and 261 kills. She also showcased her all-around ability defensively, ranking second on the team with 230 digs. At the conclusion of the season, she earned All-SUNYAC Third Team honors.
Girma will be joined by senior
Iris Mulvey (Middle Island, N.Y./Longwood), who totaled 259.5 points last season and finished second on the team with 221 kills. Mulvey also provided a strong two-way presence, contributing 227 digs to rank third on the team.
New to the group are first-years
Haylee Sullivan (Hudson Falls, N.Y./Hudson Falls) and
Jahnia Venson (Troy, N.Y./Lansingburgh), who will add new talent and competition to an experienced outside hitter group.
Setter
The Cardinals bring back their dynamic duo at the setter position, led by Almeida, who paced the team with 399 assists while also contributing defensively with 135 digs. Sophomore
Emily O'Brien (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury) was not far behind, ranking second on the team with 396 assists while providing a strong defensive presence with 189 digs.
