The 2026 Shenandoah District volleyball season is underway with the first week of action starting Aug. 25. Fort Defiance is the defending champion. The Indians advanced to the Class 2 state championship game for the second year in a row last season before falling to Radford. Fort has yet to lose a game in district play since joining the Shenandoah in 2019. Can Fort keep that amazing streak going? Who will step up at the district's top player with the graduation of Fort Defiance's Maecy Frizzelle? Can any team (Wilson Memorial?) dethrone Fort Defiance and finish at district champion? All of those questions will be answered in the coming months. For now, here's a look at the teams. Fort Defiance Fort lost its best hitter and district and regional player of the year Maecy Frizzelle, along with two other seniors, but the Indians return a lot of firepower, including first team all-Shenandoah District right-side hitter Caroline Hanger, and second team setter Alexis Miller, libero Norah Anderson and middle Livia Clinedinst. Fort also adds middle Harper Carter, who could be a difference maker for Fort. "This is probably one of the most well-rounded teams that we've had," said coach Amber Pitsenbarger. "I think that will be good because if one person has an off night we have so many other hitting options, our defensive players are great, we have multiple talented setters." Freshman Maddie Gale should also see the starting lineup as an outside hitter, while Annalee Halterman could also see plenty of time at outside hitter. "Where we're starting at this year is higher than where we've started before," said Pitsenbarger. "We plan to be in the state tournament again this year." Every team is aiming for Fort Defiance, whether they admit that or not. Pitsenbarger likes that. She said if other people don't expect you to do well, what is the fun in that. Hanger likes it as well. "Pressure is always a privilege," the junior said. "I wouldn't have it any other way." Wilson Memorial
If a team is going to challenge Fort Defiance for the Shenandoah District title it will most likely be Wilson Memorial. Estee Irving, Maggie Parrott and libero Bree Kindig all return after making first team all-district a season ago. And second teamer Harper Tibbs is also back, as is Elizabeth Irving, who missed last year with an injury. "Estee and Bree were leaders last year and Estee was our leading scorer," Coach Lauren Grove said. "And Maggie was right up there with her and Maggie's blocking is phenomenal and her hitting has gotten even stronger this year so I'm pretty excited to see what she can bring." Add in A.J. Hedrick, Maddie Lawhorn, Jackie Wood and Natalee Chandler and Wilson Memorial is loaded this season to make a run not only at Fort, but in the Region 3C tournament. Sophomore Sara Lane will handle some setting duties and junior Emorie Hostetler is playing middle. It's a very veteran heavy squad with seven seniors and six juniors on the roster. That's a lot of experience. "They have high expectations for themselves," Grove said of the seniors. "As well they should." More: Churchville Fire to return, what's next for Beverley St. | THE AGENDA Alleghany After making a run to the Class 3 state quarterfinals a season ago, Alleghany will have to replace some talented players. Middles Hannah Hensley and Taylor Stayton graduated, as did right-side hitter Lainie McCormick. The three combined for 606 kills, with nearly half of those coming from first team all-district Hensley (292). Libero Nevaeh Forbes and defensive specialist Kylie Forbes are also gone. But first team all-state setter, Kendra Dressler, is back. The senior had 820 assists a season ago. She'll be joined by outside hitters Ally Cottrell and Ava Lewis, and defensive specialists Maddy Lowry and Paige Webb. It's the second year in a row that Alleghany has had to replace six seniors, but coach Charles Leitch is optimistic that he has a solid core of experience returning. "We plan to be competitive and see how we stack up when it gets to tournament time," Leitch said. "The returners are basically all stepping into larger roles. And the newcomers are trying to earn their time and prove they can be competitive on the varsity level." Buffalo Gap
Buffalo Gap lost just one senior a season ago and it has just one senior on this year's squad. Last season the Bison finished as regional runner-up and lost in the Class 1 state quarterfinals. With a bulk of that team returning, there is no reason to think Buffalo Gap can't return to the state tournament. "They keep buying in more and more," Coach Elizabeth Ashby said. "And getting to the quarterfinals last year that gives them something more to work for. Obviously the Shenandoah District is really tough, but when we get to our region and we're playing teams our size, that's when they really shine." The only all-district performer from a year ago, Bailey Tribble, is back at outside hitter. She's joined by fellow junior setter Avery Wheeler and sophomore libero Brailyn Green. The lone senior is defensive specialist Brynan Hildebrand. Both Tribble and Wheeler are three-year starters. The only newcomer to the team is freshman Madison Botkin, an outside hitter. Ashby said a successful season for her team would be to get at least as far as they did a season ago. From what she's seen in practice, she's optimistic that can happen. More: Stand-up comedian coming to Staunton for Friday night show at Visulite Riverheads Everybody returns for Riverheads this season. During practices and scrimmages, the coaching staff has seen the consistency and camaraderie that comes along with a team that is familiar with one another. That's a huge plus for this Gladiators team. The roster is a good mix of veterans and young players, with two seniors, four juniors and six sophomores playing this season. Senior Meleah Shirley is the only all-district and all-region player returning for Riverheads. She is both a setter and outside hitter, while defensive specialist Hattie Croft is the other senior. Sophomore Chesney Dunlap was a setter a year ago and will continue in that role, but also add some hitting responsibilities. Junior Abi Bennington moves to middle hitter this season. Sophomore Ashlyn Farris, a lefty, will be a right-side hitter. Sophomores Emily Herndon and Eliza Fitzgerald will hold down the libero spots this season. With the new rule change allowing two liberos to be designated, the coaching staff expects both to contribute. Dayton Moore returns to Riverheads as an assistant coach after graduating from Averett. Moore was a star setter for the Gladiators, playing for her mom, Amy Moore. Now she'll coach under her mom. "I'm really grateful," Dayton Moore said. "This program made me who I am as a player and as a person." Staunton
Jody Lohr returns for a second year as Staunton head coach. He'll have to find a way to replace three seniors, including the team's setter and libero. Faith Lam steps up to be the new setter. The senior has never set before, but is open to the challenge this year. Sophomore Chloe Widener also will set in a two-setter rotation for the Storm. Brook-Lyn Kittrell, Staunton's only all-district player from last year, is back at middle hitter, while Kennedy Bryant, Olivia Reed, Brittany Davenport and Brooke Davenport all return this season. Kate Thomas is also back. All except Bryant are seniors. "I'm getting excited about hitting," Lohr said. "Our hitters have been pounding the ball in practice." Lohr is optimistic about what this team can do. "It's like a puzzle," Lohr said. "We have a lot of good pieces, but you don't know what it looks like until you put it all together." More: When will VA House candidates debate? Macy rejects Cline's schedule Stuarts Draft With just one senior graduating a year ago, there weren't a lot of holes to fill for Stuarts Draft volleyball this season. Jess DeWitt returns for her second year as head coach of the team. DeWitt said the thing that excites her the most about this team is the community that the players have built. "They seem like they're having fun even when they're being serious," the coach said. "They enjoy it, they want to come to practice every day, they want to play. It's exciting to see that." Addyson Dameron returns as setter, a second team all-Shenandoah District player from a year ago. "As our main setter this season, she's going to be the vocal leader on the court," DeWitt said. "Dictating the play, where's the ball going on that second pass, but also she has to be lifting everybody up. She will be key for us." Outside hitters Kylie Morland and Addy Coyner are also back and will get help from Jaelyn Bain and Takota Moore. DeWitt said all four really need to find ways to get put the ball down and get kills. "Successful for me means that they want to be there every day," DeWitt said. "That's huge coming off of the culture issues of the past. Number two, is that we improve, each one of them improves in some aspect of their game." Waynesboro
Lori Aleshire returns to the sidelines two years after stepping away. The former Waynesboro volleyball star is excited to be back. She likes what she's seen from her players so far in practice. "They're working really well together," Aleshire said. "They're picking everybody up. We're trying to build our mental toughness. In the game of volleyball you have to go into the next play. You can't worry that you didn't get that kill or you missed that serve. It's a game of mistakes and you have to learn how to limit those mistakes." Waynesboro graduated six seniors a year ago, so Aleshire needs to find players to fill those roles. The three captains this season — Ella Cox, Ava Buckmaster and Morgan Harlow — will be critical to Waynesboro's success, Aleshire said. "They need to be approachable for their teammates," Aleshire said of the captains. "They need to be respectful to the refs on the court. They need to be leaders, on and off the court." Along with Cox, Rileigh Shifflett and Dylan Coffey are the team's seniors this year. More: 'Why Virginia keeps drought status despite the rain' Rockbridge County Rockbridge County has a new coach in Graceon Whitesell this season after finishing 10-10 a year ago. "The expectation this season is that Rockbridge volleyball returns to a high-tempo offense and looks to their seniors to provide the program with a solid foundation to build off of in the years to come," Whitesell said. "Intentionality and intensity is what Rockbridge looks to bring back." The Wildcats lost their only all-district player, Mackenzie McCormick, to graduation, but returns some key players this year. Rockbridge returns seven seniors and two juniors to the roster. Junior Francesca Beidle and senior Geneva Snyder are both outside hitters, while seniors Adrianna Grue, Braelyn Polly and Savannah Whitmer are all defensive specialists. Whitesell said newcomer sophomore Addyson Pennington could be an impact player. The middle and right-side hitter is a transfer from Rockbridge Christian. Sophomore setter Emmilyn Kelly could also be key for Rockbridge County. More: Waynesboro football building on three-win season Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com. This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Shenandoah District volleyball preview: Can Fort repeat as champs?