Hitter Kiera Hamilton (left) celebrates with her teammates, hitter Haley Graetz (center) and middle blocker Chelsea Colter (right) during an October 2025 matchup against Davidson. (Davon Marion / Fourth Estate)

Women’s volleyball leans on competition, intensity and new faces as they prepare with championship expectations

BY PETER MAHLER, STAFF WRITER

After coaching George Mason women’s volleyball to its most successful season in over a decade, Head Coach Megan Shifflett Bachmann says her team is the most competitive she’s ever seen entering the 2026 season. 

“We’re gonna beat it into our new kids’ heads early … that we’re here to compete for championships.”

Fresh off the team’s first Atlantic 10 tournament appearance in seven years, the Patriots rank fourth in the conference preseason poll — the highest ranking in program history. Still, no amount of outside pressure seems to affect Shifflett Bachmann’s preparation.

“I’ve never been one to put much stock in any of that stuff,” she said. “We haven’t proven anything yet to anyone … when we’re in the gym, when we’re practicing, it’s easy to close the doors and just focus on us.” 

Sophomore hitter Kiera Hamilton, last season’s A10 Rookie of the Year, says the new freshmen are “raising the bar.” Setter McKenna Reynolds and defensive specialist Ady Bollinger along with hitters Jenna Hunt and Rylee Kinnell arrive with the chance to elevate a team full of motivation.

“They’re awesome,” Hamilton said. “They’re pushing us all to be better, and the defense in the gym is insane each day.” 

Beyond the competitive practices, Hamilton said the team feels connected. 

“We’ve all gotten really good at leaning on one another,” Hamilton said. “There’s no single person out there doing one thing. Everything’s a group effort.”

Shifflett Bachmann believes her team’s chemistry gives way to “lightning in a bottle” practices where competition is at its peak.

“There was one day in particular where [the team] had an out-of-body experience,” she said. “When it was over, they all sort of looked at each other and were like, ‘Wow, that was so much fun! That’s the most competitive we’ve ever played in the gym before!’”

“It’s great to capture those moments because it’s a reminder that this is what it should be like every day.”

Mason will look to channel that fire during the DC Challenge, three back-to-back non-conference matches against Northwestern, Georgetown and Howard to open the season. Fans can tune in for the home opener against Northwestern live on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. today, or they can watch from the stands for free at the RAC.