SPOKANE, Wash. – Coming off back-to-back Northwest Conference regular season titles, an outside observer might not expect the Whitworth volleyball program to enter the 2026 season with a sense of unfinished business.
And yet, that's exactly what is on the Pirates' mind as practice begins on Friday. After pulling out a pair of hard-earned road victories to clinch the NWC crown at the end of the regular season, the Bucs fell at home in the championship of the conference tournament and did not advance to the NCAA Division III postseason.
"Our team is motivated and excited to make the most out of this season," said head coach Kati Bodecker, who is the winningest coach (240-88, 13 seasons) in school history. "If last year taught us anything, its how hard it is to win the regular season and the conference tournament."
There is every reason to expect that Whitworth will be in the hunt for the NWC top spot again this fall. Afterall, the Bucs return three of four players who claimed All-NWC recognition last season. But they will have to overcome the graduation of first team All-NWC OH Amblessed Okemgbo and both setters in a 6-2 offense.
A pair of decorated seniors will anchor this year's team. Lauren Kremer earned first team All-NWC recognition last fall as one of the starting middles. She led the team, and finished second in the conference, in both blocks per set (0.91) and hitting percentage (.334). She was an honorable mention All-NWC selection in 2024 as well.
The second senior is Lindsey Short, who won third team All-NWC recognition in 2026 as Whitworth's starting right-side hitter. She was third on the team in kills per set (2.33) while hitting .228. She was also third in blocks per set (0.54). She could move across to an outside hitter role to replace Okemgbo this year, according to Bodecker.
"I am so grateful to be able to lean on Lauren and Lindsey," Bodecker said. "They are both extremely impactful players in their positions on the court and even more impactful off the court. I look forward to being a part of how they lead our team culture this year."
Alyssa Baird, a sophomore, was the NWC's Rookie of the year in 2025 and earned second team All-Conference after she developed into the Pirates' second offensive option. She averaged 2.60 kills per set and hit .210.
Fellow sophomore Paige McKenzie gives Bodecker the flexibility to potentially move Short over because she played in every match on the right side and averaged 1.11 kills per set.
The Pirates should be strong defensively with Olivia Paul and Bryanna Dodson returning in the back row. Paul, a junior, led the team in digs per set (3.37) and service aces per set (0.45). Dodson came on strong toward the end of her first season as a Pirate and started several matches as the libero. She was the NWC's Defensive Player of the Week in the final regular season weekend.
Haylie Steele is in her second year as a DS in the program.
Kaylee Winterroth transfers to Whitworth with a good chance to join Kremer as a starter in the middle. She led the NWAC in blocks per set (1.44) as a freshman for Spokane Colleges last fall.
Among eight first-year Pirates, three will be in the hunt for playing time at setter, along with sophomore Peyton Size. Size played in one set in 2026 during her first year at Whitworth. The three new Bucs looking to break through are Hailee Biegler, Sofie Fox and Madison Pridon.
"It is always hard to lose great senior talent and leadership in the setting position, but I am so eager to see how all four of our current setters rise to the occasion and showcase their talent," Bodecker said.
Other first-year Pirates include Avery Boswell, Keyala Krumland and Paige Kettle as pins and McKenna Adams and Ahrya Robins as middles.
Bodecker is looking forward to watching the new players mesh with the returnees.
"I am excited about our depth and talent in all positions," she said. "I am looking forward to coaching our incoming athletes and integrating them into our strong unit of veterans."
