KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown women's volleyball enters the 2026 season with momentum from a historic turnaround, earning a fourth-place selection in the PSAC East preseason poll after finishing 15-13 last season.
The Golden Bears' fourth-place selection marks their highest preseason ranking since the PSAC returned to an East-West divisional format in 2021.
Kutztown enters the 2026 campaign looking to build on one of the biggest turnarounds in program history. After a coaching change last season, head coach
Jason Barshinger guided the Golden Bears to a 14-win improvement from 2024, helping the team finish above .500 and establish momentum heading into his second season at the helm.
The Maroon and Gold return several key players from last year's team, including outside hitter
Madilyn Bogovic (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff). The sophomore was named PSAC Freshman of the Year and earned First Team All-PSAC East honors after a standout debut season. Senior
Paige Skinner (Placerville, Calif./Ponderosa) also returns after earning Second Team All-PSAC East recognition in her first season with the Golden Bears.
Shippensburg was selected to finish first after receiving five first-place votes, followed by Shepherd with two. East Stroudsburg received the remaining first-place vote to land third. West Chester was picked fifth, followed by Lock Haven, Bloomsburg and Millersville.
Kutztown will open its season on the road at the D'Youville University Tournament in Buffalo, New York. The Golden Bears will face Lock Haven at noon on Aug. 28. The home opener is set for Tuesday, Sept. 1, against Goldey-Beacom at 6:30 p.m., from Brandywine Heights High School.
