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Chautauqua Lake Enters 2026 With Senior Core, High Expectations

Coach Joanne Meadows, entering her 34th year leading Mayville/Chautauqua Lake, believes this group could be one of her best, with a senior core and sophomore Kinslee Motter back in the picture.

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Pre-season Girls Volleyball

WNY Athletics Staff ·

Overview

  • Joanne Meadows said this is her 34th year as head coach for Mayville/Chautauqua Lake and believes the 2026 group could be one of the best teams she has coached.
  • Meadows pointed to a strong senior core and sophomore Kinslee Motter, a returning first-team all-Western New York all-star, as the foundation entering the season.
  • The roster includes four seniors: Karli Mayer, Karagan Fairbank, Makenna Smith and Sydney Williams.
  • Chautauqua Lake went 15-2 in 2025-26 and opens the 2026 schedule against Dunkirk before matchups with Silver Creek, Maple Grove, Southwestern and Brocton in the first stretch.

Meadows Sees A High Ceiling

Chautauqua Lake enters the 2026 girls volleyball season with a direct message from longtime coach Joanne Meadows.

"I believe this will be one of the best teams I have coached," Meadows said.

That carries weight from a coach who said this is her 34th year as head coach for Mayville/Chautauqua Lake. The team's recent record also gives the outlook some context: Chautauqua Lake went 15-2 in 2025-26, 14-4 in 2024-25 and 15-2 in 2023-24.

The 2026 foundation starts with what Meadows described as a strong core of seniors, along with sophomore Kinslee Motter.

"I have a strong core of seniors plus returning all Western Ny first team all star sophomore Kinslee Motter," Meadows said.

The senior group on the roster includes Karli Mayer, Karagan Fairbank, Makenna Smith and Sydney Williams. Motter, listed as a middle hitter and setter, is part of a younger class that also includes several sophomores across the roster.

Senior setter Karagan Fairbank joins Makenna Smith, who plays libero, setter and outside hitter, and Sydney Williams, a middle/outside hitter.

Early Schedule Comes Quickly

Chautauqua Lake's schedule starts Sept. 11 against Dunkirk, then continues Sept. 14 at Silver Creek. The first home stretch includes Maple Grove on Sept. 16, Southwestern on Sept. 17, Brocton on Sept. 21 and Westfield on Sept. 28.

The second half of the regular-season schedule includes trips to Fredonia, Maple Grove, Brocton, Westfield and Gowanda, along with home dates against Silver Creek and Panama.

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