Salamanca Enters 2026 Volleyball Season With Senior Core, Early Tests

Overview

• Salamanca's 2026 roster includes seven seniors: Marlee Cook, Joella Jimerson, Ayla Newark, Jaelynn Cooper, Maelonnee Bacelli, Kylynne Day and Nora Santiago.
• Senior outside hitter Ayla Newark recorded 35 kills, 36 aces and nine blocks as a sophomore in 2024-25.
• Joella Jimerson's 2024-25 line gives Salamanca a player with prior setting production, including 55 assists, 21 digs and nine aces that season.
• Salamanca opens Sept. 3 at Ellicottville and Sept. 8 at Cattaraugus-Little Valley before hosting Gowanda on Sept. 10.

Salamanca starts the 2026 girls volleyball season with a senior-heavy roster and a schedule that puts the team on the road before it settles into its home gym.

Salamanca finished 8-14 in 2025-26. Courtney Valent is head coach, with Molly Cooper as assistant coach and Ashley Abrams as junior varsity head coach. The varsity roster includes seven seniors, with players at multiple positions: defensive specialists Marlee Cook and Jaelynn Cooper, setter/right side Joella Jimerson, outside hitter Ayla Newark, middle blockers Maelonnee Bacelli and Kylynne Day, and middle blocker Nora Santiago.

Newark returns with varsity experience. As a sophomore in 2024-25, she finished with 35 kills, 36 aces, 14 digs and nine blocks. Jimerson also has a notable 2024-25 line, when she recorded 55 assists, 21 digs and nine aces, giving Salamanca a player with prior production connected to the offense.

Cook adds a defensive and serving line from 2024-25, when she had 22 digs and 12 aces.

Salamanca is scheduled to open Sept. 3 at Ellicottville, then visit Cattaraugus-Little Valley on Sept. 8. The home opener is scheduled for Sept. 10 against Gowanda, followed by home dates later in September against Allegany-Limestone, West Valley/Franklinville and Ellicottville.