Leonardo da Vinci Rebuilds Around Athleticism, Senior Guidance

Overview

• Leonardo da Vinci went 13-2 in 2025-26 and coach Charissa Smith said the program was Buffalo Division champion, earned NYS Scholar-Athlete Team recognition for a fourth straight year and received NYS Sportsmanship Award recognition.
• Smith said this season is centered on rebuilding around returning players, strong athleticism and guided coaching as a newer group learns through matches.
• Gia Vega and Lisandra Burgos are senior captains Smith said are already giving positive corrective feedback and support to newer players.
• Smith said Vega had more than 125 service points in 2025-26, and she expects that mark to be challenged again this season.
• The setter role is still developing after Leonardo da Vinci graduated both setters from last year's team.

Leonardo da Vinci Starts A New Chapter

Leonardo da Vinci High School enters the 2026 girls volleyball season trying to carry a standard forward while reshaping the roster around a newer group.

Leonardo da Vinci finished 13-2 in 2025-26. Coach Charissa Smith said Leonardo da Vinci was Buffalo Division champion, earned NYS Scholar-Athlete Team recognition for the fourth consecutive season and received NYS Sportsmanship Award recognition for both the team and school.

"This year was focused on rebuilding a team for the returning players and holding the same expectations and standards and letting new players rise to the occasion," Smith said.

Smith said tryouts showed strong athleticism, and she expects the season to include plenty of teaching through matches and substitutions as players settle into varsity roles.

"The outlook is definitely promising for these younger players despite it being a new team," Smith said.

Seniors Set The Tone

Gia Vega and Lisandra Burgos give Leonardo da Vinci two senior captains with prior varsity experience and a clear role in helping the next group grow. Smith said Vega and Burgos are already guiding new players with positive corrective feedback and support.

Vega is the returning player Smith identified as most likely to take a step forward, and Burgos is the player she named as a primary point scorer. Smith also pointed to Lumari Mendez as a newly featured player who could become an important contributor and Laisha Taverez Rivera as a defensive presence to watch.

Smith said Vega had more than 125 service points during the 2025-26 season, a mark the coach expects her to chase again.

The setter picture is still taking shape. Smith said both setters from last season graduated, making training new setters and finding the right fit a focus entering 2026.

Growth Is The Measure

Smith wants Leonardo da Vinci to become a team that reads the court earlier and reacts before the ball is right on top of a defender. She said the team's athleticism already shows in players who can run down loose balls, dig off the floor and keep rallies alive.

The next step is confidence.

"As a younger team, there is the nerves of playing in front of family and friends," Smith said. "Becoming confident young athletes and performing to their best ability regardless of who may be watching."

Leonardo da Vinci opens Sept. 14 against Performing Arts at Waterfront Elementary School. The schedule continues with Burgard on Sept. 16, Riverside on Sept. 18, MEC/Bennett on Sept. 22 and East Community on Sept. 24. The listed schedule closes Oct. 20 against MST.

Smith said the goals are a winning season, significant skill growth and remaining a Scholar-Athlete team. Her simplest description of the group leaves room for the season to define itself.

"We're a story waiting to be written," Smith said.