West Valley/Franklinville Starts 2026 With A Young Roster And Returning Experience

Overview

• West Valley/Franklinville's roster includes nine players, with Danica Hopkins as the lone senior and Karly Otto and Rylie Pilarski as juniors.
• Junior outside hitter Karly Otto returns with varsity experience in both 2024-25 and 2025-26.
• Sophomores Abria Benjamin and Finley Ford-Grover were also part of the 2025-26 varsity picture, giving the group a small returning core around a younger roster.
• The schedule opens Sept. 3 against Randolph, followed by Gowanda on Sept. 8 and September matchups with Allegany-Limestone, Salamanca and Ellicottville.

West Valley/Franklinville enters the 2026-27 girls volleyball season under head coach Emily Garthwaite after a 0-14 finish in 2025-26.

The group includes one senior, Danica Hopkins, alongside juniors Karly Otto and Rylie Pilarski. Otto brings varsity experience in both 2024-25 and 2025-26, while Pilarski gives the roster another upperclass option at middle/outside.

The younger classes will also matter quickly. Sophomores Abria Benjamin and Finley Ford-Grover were part of the 2025-26 varsity picture and return in middle and setter roles, respectively. Isabella McCarty, also a sophomore, is an outside. The freshman group includes outside Alexis Moss, middle Savannah Griffis and libero Emily Gestwick.

The early slate gives the team immediate measuring points. West Valley/Franklinville is scheduled to open Sept. 3 against Randolph, then meet Gowanda on Sept. 8. Road matches at Allegany-Limestone on Sept. 17 and Salamanca on Sept. 22 lead into a Sept. 24 date with Ellicottville.

October brings the second half of the schedule, including Gowanda, Catt-Little Valley, Allegany-Limestone, Salamanca and Ellicottville.