2026 GHS Lady Bulldogs volleyball team has high hopes for fall season

The Gainesville Lady Bulldogs have come a long way in a short time. After winning just two matches in their first varsity season in 2022, Gainesville improved to four wins in 2023 and nine in 2024. Last season, the Lady Bulldogs took another big step forward, finishing 20-11-2.

Now, coach Heidi Gaulding and her players are looking to build on that success. A strong group of returning players gives Gainesville plenty of experience heading into the 2026 season. Among them are senior Addie Alms, junior setter Baylor Hewett and sophomore Macy Hambelton, all of whom earned all-conference recognition last season.

Alms was a first-team all-conference selection after leading Gainesville with 312 kills, 27 blocks and 232 digs. Her versatility will again give the Lady Bulldogs several options offensively and defensively.

Hewett, who earned second-team all-conference honors, returns to the setter position after recording 546 assists as a sophomore. Her growing experience should be an important part of Gainesville's offensive attack.

Hambelton also returns after receiving honorable mention all-conference recognition as a freshman. She finished second on the team with 122 kills last season.

Gainesville also returns Avery Gaulding, Rylee Kowerduck, Alli Garrison, Lola Wade, Twyla Parkison and Addi Garrison.

Avery Gaulding returns as a sophomore outside hitter after leading the team in ace serves as a freshman. Kowerduck, a junior libero, was second on the team in digs last season and will again play a key role in serve receive and defensive play.

Garrison gives Gainesville another middle hitter, while Wade brings size and blocking ability to the front row as an opposite hitter.

Parkison and Addi Garrison are also capable of contributing both offensively and defensively. Addi Garrison missed last season because of an injury but returns to the lineup this fall.

Sophomore Regan Blackburn moves up to the varsity team after serving as the junior varsity setter last season.

The Lady Bulldogs' offensive potential is one of the team's biggest strengths entering the season. With several players capable of attacking from different areas of the court, Gainesville hopes to keep opponents from focusing on just one hitter.

Passing will be an important piece of making that offense work.

Coach Gaulding said the Lady Bulldogs are looking to improve their serve-receive game and first contact, allowing the setters more options and creating opportunities for a quicker offensive attack. Gainesville also will look for improvement at the net, where stronger blocking can help the defense behind it.

This season, the Lady Bulldogs aren't satisfied with simply matching last year's success. They want to take another step forward — including earning a district victory, something the program has yet to accomplish.

Gainesville began the season with a jamboree at Mansfield on Tuesday, Aug. 25 and will travel to the Koshkonong Tournament on Saturday Aug. 29 for its first competition of the season.