West Seneca East enters 2026 with experienced core, defensive edge

Overview

• West Seneca East's staff describes this group as tight-knit, determined and built around ball control, communication and relentless defense.
• Senior outside hitter Cameron Skalski returns after recording 82 kills, 69 digs and nine aces as a junior in 2025-26.
• Lila Ferrara is a point-scoring player to watch after recording 83 kills, 31 digs, 21 aces and 17 blocks as a freshman in 2025-26.
• The setter picture remains developing, with three setters working to improve location, tempo and decision-making.
• Key schedule dates include JFK on Sept. 15, Lake Shore on Sept. 18 and Oct. 14, West Seneca West on Oct. 2, and Amherst on Oct. 16 and Oct. 19.

West Seneca East enters 2026 under head coach Christy McCarthy after an 8-11 season in 2025-26. The staff wants a disciplined group that communicates well and pressures opponents through serving and defense.

Assistant coach Emalee Ballou said the Trojans enter the season as "a tight-knit, highly determined squad ready to make noise in Section VI." The coaching staff wants the group to be known as "Disciplined, high-energy, and relentless," with aggressive float serving, precise pass control and a multi-option offense.

The Trojans have several returning players with varsity experience. Cameron Skalski gives West Seneca East a proven outside presence after totaling 82 kills, 69 digs and nine aces as a junior in 2025-26. Lila Ferrara, identified by the staff as a primary point scorer, added 83 kills, 31 digs, 21 aces and 17 blocks as a freshman.

Senior middle Madden Bridenbaker, junior middle Isabella Holtmart and sophomore right-side/setter Allison Florkowski also return with varsity experience. Holtmart recorded 25 kills and 18 blocks in 2025-26.

The staff also pointed to Cameron Skalski as a breakout candidate, Izabella Gascon as a newly featured player who could become important, and Peyton Kelly as a libero whose presence can affect the way the Trojans defend.

The offense is still being shaped. Ballou said West Seneca East has "three different setters with a lot of potential," and that group is continuing to build location accuracy, tempo control and steady decision-making.

The Trojans' goals include contending at the top of their ECIC division, securing a strong postseason seed and building the kind of unified identity that can hold up in tight matches. Ballou said the next step is "Converting out-of-system opportunities into aggressive points when facing well-established Section VI blocks."

West Seneca East opens Sept. 4 at Maryvale and hosts Springville on Sept. 11. The schedule continues with a Sept. 15 match at JFK, two meetings with Lake Shore on Sept. 18 and Oct. 14, a district matchup with West Seneca West on Oct. 2, and two October matches with Amherst on Oct. 16 and Oct. 19.

Fans can stream matches through NFHS Network and Hudl TV and follow the program on Instagram at @wseast_volleyball and on X at @WSEastAthletics.