Crestwood Volleyball coach Wanda Hoffman doesn’t have to spend much time introducing players to one another this fall.
The Red Devils return seven starters from last year’s team, giving Hoffman an experienced group she believes is capable of making a significant jump in 2026.
Crestwood finished 6-18 overall and 2-8 in Chagrin Valley Conference play in 2025 before going 1-1 in the postseason and reaching a sectional final.
With virtually its entire starting lineup back, expectations are considerably higher entering Hoffman’s 34th season as head coach.
“We believe that we can compete at a higher level than a season ago,” Hoffman said. “There are some tough opponents at the top of our division, and we believe that we should be able to compete with them. We firmly believe that we have the ability to finish in the top half of the division and double our win total from a season ago.”
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The Red Devils did lose two right-side hitters, a middle blocker and a defensive specialist to graduation, but Hoffman believes the returning roster already contains many of the answers to those departures.
“We believe a good chunk of those roles can and will be replaced by girls who were already on the varsity roster,” she said. “We will be bringing in a new middle hitter from the get-go, as well as another pin hitter in sophomore Jillian Hayes.”
Experience should be one of Crestwood’s biggest assets.
The Red Devils have several players capable of staying on the floor throughout the match, giving Hoffman options when constructing lineups and allowing Crestwood to adjust based on matchups and which hitters are producing.
“We have several girls that are able to play six rotations, giving us flexibility on how we set our lineups, where we are able to play our hitters, and filling in depth as necessary,” Hoffman said. “We believe this means we will be able to find the hot hand, and ride that hitter.”
Crestwood also expects to be more imposing defensively at the net.
“We also should have a much improved block this season, so working on funneling opposing hitters into our big block will be another key,” Hoffman said.
Hayes Gives Crestwood a Proven Offensive Threat
Senior Abby Hayes returns after establishing herself as Crestwood’s most consistent attacker in 2025.
Hayes recorded 166 kills with a .237 hitting percentage in 73 sets. She also contributed 189 digs, 37 aces, and 112 service points, earning first-team All-CVC and second-team all-district honors.
Her ability to play outside, middle, or right side gives Hoffman plenty of options.
“Abby was our most consistent attacking option in 2025, and we expect similar things from her this season,” Hoffman said. “She is extremely flexible, able to play anywhere in the front row. This flexibility could be leaned on as we find the perfect lineup for this group of girls to succeed.”
Senior Jackie Blasiole gives the Red Devils another experienced six-rotation option.
Blasiole finished with 145 kills and was Crestwood’s leading defender with 294 digs. She added 31 aces and 101 service points and earned second-team All-CVC recognition.
“You can watch one set, and you’ll immediately see that Jackie refuses to let the ball hit the court,” Hoffman said. “Her hustle is unmatched and can often be awe-inspiring. We’d like to see Jackie continue to play that type of defense while taking another step forward as a hitter, which we believe she will do.”
Senior Grace Harper adds another attacking option on the right side after an injury cost her a portion of the 2025 season.
Despite appearing in just 59 sets, Harper finished with 63 kills, 18 blocks, 21 aces and 49 digs.
“Unfortunately, Grace missed a chunk of games last season due to an injury, but her growth into a force at right side has been amazing,” Hoffman said. “She has just continued to get better at the net, both as a blocker and a hitter. We expect her to be one of the hardest blocks for opponents to hit through.”
Podojil, Harper Bring Versatility to the Offense
Crestwood returns both of its primary setters from last season.
Junior Haley Podojil handed out a team-high 200 assists in 74 sets while adding 128 digs, 14 aces and 96 service points. She earned honorable mention All-CVC recognition following her sophomore season.
“Haley is a true leader on the court who is constantly building up her teammates after every point,” Hoffman said. “She is returning after a very solid sophomore campaign, and we hope she continues to grow into her role as a captain and as a key piece of the team.”
Sophomore Reese Harper provides a different dimension because of her ability to contribute as both a setter and middle hitter.
Harper stepped directly into Crestwood’s varsity lineup as a freshman and finished with 169 assists, 140 digs, 67 kills, 26 aces and 16 blocks in 66 sets.
“Reese stepped into a starting role on varsity last year as a freshman, and has continued to grow her skill set all offseason,” Hoffman said. “She’s a six-rotation player, setting from the back row and hitting middle in the front row. We’re excited to see Reese play a full season of varsity from the start.”
Their versatility is one reason Hoffman believes the Red Devils will have significantly more freedom when constructing lineups this fall.
Rather than being locked into one combination, Crestwood should be able to move hitters around the front row and adjust its attack based on who is producing.
Davis and Seibold Anchor the Back Row
While Crestwood expects to improve offensively and at the net, the Red Devils also return considerable experience in serve receive and defense.
Senior Macy Davis is back after collecting 256 digs in 74 sets last season. She also recorded 26 aces and 94 service points and earned honorable mention All-CVC recognition.
“It’s been terrific to see Macy’s on-court leadership grow during the offseason,” Hoffman said. “She continues to be one of our leading defensive players, and one of the best servers on the team.”
Senior Piper Seibold gives Crestwood another experienced defender.
Seibold recorded 110 digs in 67 sets last season and is expected to take on an even larger role as a senior.
“Piper is the second half of our backrow dynamic duo,” Hoffman said. “Her ability to get to balls others cannot is impressive, with quick feet and a great first step. We expect her to take another step forward as she enters her senior season.”
With Blasiole also coming off a 294-dig season, the Red Devils have three proven defenders capable of extending rallies and giving their offense additional opportunities.
Lyons Ready for an Expanded Role
Crestwood’s experience extends beyond its returning starters.
Junior Katie Lyons appeared in 36 varsity sets last season, recording 18 kills, 27 digs and nine blocks.
Capable of playing middle, outside or right side, Lyons gives Hoffman another versatile option along the net.
“One of the calmest players on the court, even during the chaos, Katie is a consistent and calming presence,” Hoffman said. “While she saw some varsity playing time in 2025, we expect her to see the court much more often this season and hope she is able to continue to grow as a blocker and a hitter.”
Her expanded role could become especially important as Crestwood works to replace the front-row production lost to graduation.
Younger Red Devils Push for Varsity Roles
Sophomores Jillian Hayes and Katie Sanwald are among the newcomers Hoffman expects to contribute.
Hayes, an outside and right-side hitter, enters the season without varsity experience but made a significant impression during preseason workouts.
“Jillian came into the gym in August as a whole new player,” Hoffman said. “Her maturity on court has improved immensely, now showing the ability to pick her shot and be intentional with every swing. We are excited to see Jillian step onto a varsity court for the first time this August.”
Sanwald gives the Red Devils another potential answer at middle or right side.
“Katie has put in a lot of work during the offseason to get better, and her work is showing dividends,” Hoffman said. “She continues to be one of our program’s best blockers, and her hitting and serving have both improved a ton since the start of last season. We’re excited to see what she can do against a higher level of competition.”
Senior Natalie Downs is also pushing for time at right side.
While Downs does not have previous varsity statistics, Hoffman has been impressed with both her volleyball intelligence and willingness to make corrections.
“There is no player more likely to ask how your day was when she walks into the gym,” Hoffman said. “Natalie is not just one of the nicest players in our program, but she is also one of the most intelligent players. She is typically the first one to raise her hand when she makes a mistake, and then make the adjustment.”
The development of those players gives Crestwood additional options as the Red Devils work to replace the roles vacated by graduation.
Outlook
Seven returning starters and an experienced senior class give Crestwood plenty of reason for optimism, but Hoffman knows experience alone won’t turn six victories into 12 or more.
The Red Devils have to turn that experience into consistency and play as a unit.
“We believe that the most important thing for our group is to work and play as a team,” Hoffman said. “They have the ability to double, or even triple, their win total from a season ago, but it will come down to if we as coaches and the girls are able to maximize the talent on the roster.”
That means relying on seniors Abby Hayes, Macy Davis, Piper Seibold, Jackie Blasiole, Grace Harper and Natalie Downs while continuing to develop Podojil, Reese Harper, Lyons, Jillian Hayes, Sanwald and the rest of Crestwood’s younger players.
“We need to lean on our class of seniors while continuing to develop the younger group of girls coming up,” Hoffman said.
After a 6-18 season, Crestwood isn’t simply hoping for incremental improvement.
The Red Devils believe the combination of experience, lineup flexibility, improved blocking, and a deeper roster can put them in position to compete with the better teams in their division and make 2026 significantly different from 2025.
“We are looking forward to a terrific 2026 season and are excited to see where the season takes this team,” Hoffman said.
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30CRESTWOOD RED DEVILS Volleyball
2026-2027 Crestwood Red Devils Volleyball Schedule
Date Opponent Result Time Location Aug. 26, 2026
Wednesday
MogadoreL 0-3 7:00 PM Mogadore High School Sep. 1, 2026
TuesdayW 3-0 6:00 PM Wickliffe Sep. 3, 2026
ThursdayL 0-3 6:00 PM Lutheran West Sep. 8, 2026
TuesdayL 1-3 6:30 PM Crestwood Sep. 12, 2026
SaturdayW 2-0 10:00 AM Washington High School Sep. 12, 2026
SaturdayW 2-1 11:00 AM Washington High School Sep. 12, 2026
Saturday
NorwayneW 2-0 9:00 AM Washington High School Sep. 15, 2026
TuesdayL 1-3 6:30 PM Rootstown Sep. 17, 2026
ThursdayL 0-3 6:30 PM Crestwood Sep. 19, 2026
SaturdayL 0-2 TBA Crestwood Sep. 19, 2026
Saturday
StrongsvilleL 0-2 11:00 AM Crestwood Sep. 19, 2026
Saturday
WadsworthL 0-2 12:00 PM Crestwood Sep. 22, 2026
TuesdayL 0-3 6:30 PM Kirtland Watch Sep. 24, 2026
ThursdayW 3-0 6:00 PM Crestwood Sep. 29, 2026
TuesdayL 1-3 6:00 PM Crestwood Oct. 1, 2026
ThursdayL 0-3 6:00 PM Berkshire Oct. 3, 2026
SaturdayW 3-1 11:15 AM Southeast High School Oct. 5, 2026
MondayL 1-2 6:00 PM West Geauga High School Main Gym Watch Oct. 8, 2026
ThursdayL 0-3 6:30 PM Crestwood Oct. 10, 2026
Saturday10:00 AM Waterloo High School Oct. 10, 2026
Saturday
GarfieldL 0-3 12:30 PM JAG Gymnasium Oct. 13, 2026
TuesdayL 1-3 6:30 PM Chagrin Falls Oct. 15, 2026
ThursdayL 1-3 6:30 PM Crestwood Oct. 22, 2026
Thursday
GirardPOSTSEASONL 1-3 TBA Crestwood
Wickliffe Blue Devils
Lutheran West Longhorns
Berkshire Badgers
Rootstown Rovers
Chagrin Falls Tigers
Medina Highland
Kirtland Hornets
Southeast
West Geauga Wolverines
Waterloo Vikings
