LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven women's volleyball team will open its 2026 season by competing in the D'Youville Tournament in Buffalo New York on Thursday-Friday, Aug. 27-29. The Haven will compete in non-conference matches against D'Youville, Kutztown, Pitt-Johnstown and Lewis.
 
Mike Kraft enters his fourth season as the Lock Haven women's volleyball head coach and will be joined on staff by Joel Robinson, Thomas O'Malley and Kelly Gaston.


 
Lock Haven Women's Volleyball
Roster | Schedule
 
Opening Week
Streaming | Live Stats
Where: Buffalo, New York
Host: D'Youville
 
Thursday, Aug. 27
Lock Haven vs. D'Youville (7 p.m.)
 
Friday, Aug. 28
Lock Haven vs. Kutztown (12 p.m.)
Lock Haven vs. Pitt-Johnstown (4 p.m.)
 
Saturday, Aug. 29
Lock Haven vs. Lewis (10 a.m.)



A Look Back at 2025 
The Haven wrapped up 2025 with a 10-18 overall record and 6-8 mark in the PSAC East. The bulk of the Bald Eagles' success came in front of the home crowd of Thomas Fieldhouse, where the group finished 7-5.
 
The Bald Eagles will look to return to postseason form from back in 2023 when they reached the opening round of the PSAC Championship Tournament in the same season Kraft was named the PSAC East Coach of the Year.  
 
Returning Statistical Leaders
 
As a team, Lock Haven totaled 1,276 kills, 1,168 assists, 207 service aces and 1,621 digs across 107 sets. The Bald Eagles averaged 11.9 kills, 10.9 assists, 1.9 aces and 15.1 digs per set, finishing ahead of opponents in total kills and digs.
 
Maddie Mitchell led Lock Haven's attack with 346 kills and 379.5 points, while Lola Coulter added 190 kills and Gracelynn Wolzen recorded 229. Smith delivered 168 kills, a .268 attack percentage and a team-best 68 total blocks.
 
Madelyn Wagner directed the offense with 608 assists and added 35 aces. Acevedo paced the Bald Eagles with 38 service aces and contributed 285 digs, while Taylor led the back row with 442 digs. Gabby Gealey registered 395 assists and 32 total blocks, and Stanton posted the team's best attack percentage among regular attackers at .276 while totaling 29 blocks.



Incoming Class
The Bald Eagles welcome four student-athletes from Minnesota, Florida, Ohio and Maryland.
 
"We are very excited to about these four ladies of our 2026 incoming class," said Kraft. "They are proven winners both on the court and in the classroom and will add immediate competition to the positions they play."
 
Learn more about the newest Lock Haven women's volleyball student-athletes by clicking here.
 
 
2026 PSAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Eastern Division
1. Shippensburg (5)
2. Shepherd (2)
3. East Stroudsburg (1)
4. Kutztown
5. West Chester
6. Lock Haven
7. Bloomsburg
8. Millersville
 
Western Division
1. Gannon (7)
2. IUP (1)
3. Pitt-Johnstown
4. Clarion
5. California
6. Seton Hill
7. Edinboro
8. Slippery Rock
 
The Road Ahead
Lock Haven travels to Rochester, New York, for the Roberts Wesleyan Tournament on Sept. 4-5 before returning home to host the Lock Haven Tournament on Sept. 11-12.
 
The home tournament will feature matches against Virginia State, Edinboro and Jefferson.