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Alden begins 2026-27 season with Donner in second year

Alden brings back an experienced group of returners and opens a schedule that includes early home dates with Medina, East Aurora, Tapestry and Lake Shore.

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Pre-season Girls Volleyball

WNY Athletics Staff ·

Overview

  • Rachel Donner enters her second year as Alden's varsity head coach after a 7-11 season in 2025-26.
  • Alden's current roster includes seven players returning from the 2025-26 team: Kaitlyn Watson, Brooklyn Jankowski, Riley Wood, April Hughes, Emma Przykuta, Sawyer Faso and Karleigh Westmiller.
  • Alden opens at home against Medina on Sept. 3, then hosts East Aurora on Sept. 9 and Tapestry on Sept. 10 before visiting JFK on Sept. 14.
  • Fans can follow the program on Instagram at @aldenvolleyball, and games are streamed on Hudl.

Alden Girls Volleyball 2026-27 Preseason Preview

Alden enters the 2026-27 girls volleyball season with Rachel Donner in her second year as varsity head coach and seven returning players.

Donner said her own volleyball background continues to shape how she leads the program.

"I played at Iroquois and continue to play in tournaments as an adult," Donner said. "Went Division 1 for track and field, but was a manager for Dartmouth women's volleyball for 2 years. I have always loved volleyball and being able to help my athletes love the sport while also excelling at it is extremely important to me."

Alden finished 7-11 in 2025-26 under Donner. The 2026-27 roster lists five seniors: libero Kaitlyn Watson, right-side/outside hitter Emma Przykuta, middle Brooklyn Jankowski, defensive specialist/outside hitter Riley Wood and defensive specialist April Hughes.

Alden also has juniors Sawyer Faso, Karleigh Westmiller, Madison Enser and Rebecca Vink listed on the roster, along with freshmen Cordelia Mann and Lily Hejmanowski. Watson, Jankowski, Wood, Hughes, Przykuta, Faso and Westmiller return from last season.

The schedule starts with a run of home matches at Alden High School. Alden is scheduled to host Medina on Sept. 3, East Aurora on Sept. 9 and Tapestry on Sept. 10 before traveling to JFK on Sept. 14. Lake Shore visits Alden on Sept. 16, and Alden then goes on the road to Iroquois, Holland and Cleveland Hill before hosting Eden on Sept. 28.

October brings a mix of road and home dates, including trips to Tapestry, Sweet Home and Eden, plus home matches against Maryvale, JFK, Attica and Cleveland Hill.

Fans can follow the program on Instagram at @aldenvolleyball. Alden games are streamed on Hudl.

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