WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – After coming off a 19-8 season and a first-round NCAA Tournament appearance, the Ephs find themselves receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll as they head into the 2026 season.
The Williams Volleyball team faces a 23-match schedule in 2026, with four tournament appearances and a heavy away schedule, as the Ephs will play 17 of their 23 matches away from Williamstown, while taking the court at home just six times during the regular season.
The Ephs will begin their season on Saturday, Sept. 5, when they travel to Waltham, Mass. for the Brandeis Invitational. Williams will open the season against WPI before taking on host school, Brandeis, in its second match of the day.
Other noteworthy matchups include, the home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 8 against Skidmore, and the Ephs' back-to-back NESCAC matchup weekends at home beginning on Friday, Oct. 2 through Saturday, Oct. 10. This weekend will also include the annual Senior Night on Friday, Oct. 9, against Hamilton.
During the 2025 season, the Ephs went 19-8 overall and 7-3 in conference play, earning them the third seed in the NESCAC Tournament, where they defeated Middlebury in the first round before falling short in the NESCAC Semifinals to No. 6 Colby College.
The Ephs earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament, marking their third appearance in the national tournament over the past four seasons.
"We are incredibly excited about this 2026 team! We have had a strong preseason so far and its been awesome to be together with this group collectively working on building the foundation for the season ahead," said head Coach
Christi Kelsey. "There is so much talent and impact that all 17 of our student-athletes have brought to this year's team from our returners to our new first years. Coach Kristin is also already making a great impact too in her first year with our volleyball family."
Williams returns a pair of NESCAC All-Conference honorees,
Keely Campuzano and
Chidimma Obi. Campuzano was a First Team selection and also earned AVCA Division III All-Region I Honorable Mention honors, while Obi was named to the NESCAC Second Team.
Campuzano led the Ephs in kills (266), kills per set (2.80), points (297.5), and points per set (3.13), and ranked eighth and ninth, respectively in the NESCAC in total kills and kills per set. Obi followed shortly behind with 210 kills, averaging 2.10 kills per set, and was second on the team in blocks with 65, tallying 10 solo and 55 assisted blocks.
Senior captain,
Morgan Daetz returns as the Ephs main setter, leading the team last season with 545 assists, averaging 5.29 assists per game. Daetz ranked second on the team in service aces (38) and digs (175). She recorded five double-digit dig totals, five double-doubles in assists and digs, and produced 10+ assists every match last season.
"There is a lot to be enthusiastic about this season," said Daetz. "Our returners put in a lot of work in the off-season to level up not only their on-court talent, but maturity as teammates and people. With the addition of four incredibly talented freshmen, the depth on our roster across positions is really exciting, overall elevating the competitiveness in practice. I am super excited to watch this team come together and show what we're capable of!"
The 2026 season marks head coach
Christi Kelsey's 17th season with the Ephs. Kelsey has compiled a 271-159 overall record and a 102-57 mark in NESCAC play, leading Williams to seven NCAA Tournament appearances. During Kelsey's 17 years, the Ephs have advanced to the Sweet 16 four times (2009, 2013, 2014, 2022), including one appearance in the Elite Eight in 2014.
"Most importantly, we are so proud of how they are incredibly focused on the care, support and inspiration they are providing to one another in how we practice and hope to compete. There is so much to be optimistic about for the months ahead," said Kelsey.
