Cobleskill, N.Y. – The SUNY Cobleskill women's volleyball team is set to open the 2026 season as the Fighting Tigers begin a new chapter with their first season of competition in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC).

Cobleskill enters the season following a 2025 campaign that saw the Tigers advance to the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) semifinals. The Fighting Tigers finished the year 9-17 overall and 4-4 in conference play.

With all seven starters returning, along with a veteran group of key contributors, interim head coach Jillian Nitchman '22 is excited about the experience and chemistry the Tigers bring into their first SUNYAC season.

""Preseason has been one of the best I've been a part of, both as a former player and now as a coach," said Nitchman. "The team culture and talent have created a lot of excitement throughout the group for what this new conference and season have in store. If we continue to show up, play aggressively and compete every day, I think we can make a strong first impression in the SUNYAC."

Experience will be a strength for Cobleskill, which returns eight seniors, led by First Team All-Conference selection Emma Hinze (Altenburg, Mo./Saxony Lutheran). Hinze filled the stat sheet throughout the 2025 season, leading the Tigers with 219 kills while adding 240 digs, 36 blocks and a team-high 47 service aces.

Senior setter Baylee Kirschberg (Lindenhurst, NY) returns to direct the Cobleskill offense after leading the team with 303 assists last season. Kirschberg also surpassed 1,000 career assists during her junior campaign and will once again play a key role in setting up the Tigers' attack.

At the net, senior Hallie Gasner (Middleburgh, NY) returns after a strong junior season in which she recorded 173 kills, 30 blocks and 37 aces. Fellow senior Kathleen Smart (Nashville, Tenn./Pope John Paul II Prep) returns after missing time during the 2025 season and will look to provide another experienced option in the Tigers' rotation.

Defensively, senior libero Jojo Haycock (Bowie, Md.) returns to anchor the back row as Cobleskill looks to stay in system and turn strong defensive play into offensive opportunities.

"We are bringing back almost the same group as last season, and that experience together is a big advantage," Nitchman said. "Captains Emma Hinze and Kathleen Smart continue to lead by example, while Kaleigh Capasso has stepped up both on and off the court as a leader for this team. Baylee will be an important piece running our offense, and we have a number of experienced players returning in both the front and back rows."

Additional key returners include junior middle hitter Ciarra Jager (Stephentown, NY/New Lebanon), who will add another presence at the net, along with sophomores Audrey Davis (Hudson Falls, NY) and Kaleigh Capasso (Ballston Spa, NY), who both gained valuable experience during their first collegiate seasons.

Senior Ashley Wright, along with Jager and Gasner, give Cobleskill added depth across the front row, while Tori Harrington (Esperance, NY/Schoharie) joins Haycock among the Tigers' returning defensive specialists.

Cobleskill opens the 2026 season on the road on Tuesday, September 1, with a 7 p.m. matchup against MCLA.


2026 SUNYAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll
 1. Cortland, 120
 2. Oswego, 106
 3. Buffalo State, 103
 4. Fredonia, 80
 4. Morrisville, 80
 6. Alfred State, 72
 7. Oneonta, 69
 8. Plattsburgh, 54
 9. Potsdam, 39
10. Canton, 34
11. Delhi, 20
12. Cobleskill, 15