Washington and Lee Women’s Volleyball is ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s top 25 teams for the first time since 2005 following an undefeated start to the season.
The Generals are 13-0, and their flawless record got another boost on Sept. 21 with a victory over Berea College Kentucky. The Generals four conference games in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) all also ended in a clean sweep against Averett, Ferrum, Hollins and Guilford.
Head Coach Bryan Snyder said one of the team’s main strengths is its consistency. “We have not allowed our opponents to score large numbers of consecutive points,” Snyder said, “so we are always in a good position to win sets.”
The team’s consistency comes in part from its upperclassmen, including three returning all-ODAC athletes: setter Allie Buchholz, ’25, outside hitter Riley Debiec, ’26, and outside hitter Grace Mitchener, ’27.
Debiec serves as one of three captains this year, alongside outside hitter Maddie Weller, ’25, and outside hitter Avery Myers, ’25.
While steady play is important, Snyder said the Generals’ adaptability is another key to their success. He said they are a “hard team to prepare for” because of their ability to change lineups and defensive schemes at any point. This means they can switch up their strategy to target opponents’ weaknesses.
The Generals’ victories have not gone unnoticed. This past week, the team rose to No. 25 among Division III teams in the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s national poll.
Looking ahead, Snyder said he is cautiously optimistic about the team’s chances in the NCAA Division III tournament. “We try not to put expectations on ourselves,” Snyder said, but he also said that a postseason run is a definite goal.
The Generals won the ODAC championship last year, which qualified them for the NCAA tournament in November 2023. But the Generals’ run ended with a first-round exit to Berry College 3-1.
The Generals got their revenge against Berry this year, beating the Vikings in their season opener in five sets on Aug. 30.
The Generals still have room to grow, Snyder said. The team is working to improve their play in the middle of the net and increase their efficiency on offense. “If we show up every day with the goal of getting 1% better,” Snyder said, “then we can achieve any goal we set for ourselves.”
Fans’ next chance to see the Generals at home is on Wednesday, when they face off against conference rival Randolph-Macon College in Holekamp Gym. The game will begin at 7 p.m.
