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Hastings Volleyball Voted 10th in Preseason GPAC Poll (Hastings, NE) – The Hastings women’s volleyball team opens the 2026 season with a new coach leading the way, as Harley Rhoades comes to the Broncos from Chadron State, where he had been an assistant coach since 2019. The Broncos begin the 2026 season picked to finish 10th in the GPAC preseason poll. The Broncos ended last season with a 6-20 record and were 3-13 in conference. After going 1-3 in their opening tournament, they won their first two home games over a couple of KCAC opponents, Ottawa and Kansas Wesleyan. They opened GPAC action with a four-set win at Doane, but managed just two conference wins the rest of the way. Hastings returns most of its team from a year ago, including All-GPAC honorable mention junior Makenna Sutter, who led the team with 268 kills and averaged 2.76 kills per set. Senior Ilse Benne, who had 233 kills and a 2.62 kills per set average, and senior Mikah O’Neill, who had 167 kills and a 2.39 kills per set average, also return. At middle hitter, sophomore Klarissa Dowdy and junior Kaleah Olson also recorded over 100 kills and 30 blocks a year ago as they look to build off of last year. Seniors Camryn Ringsdorf and Amiyah Barnes will also provide depth up front, as they each had over 60 kills and 20 blocks. Junior libero Lainey Benson, who was All-GPAC honorable mention last season, returns after leading the team with 423 digs for a 4.36 dig per set average, while also contributing 72 assists. Junior Hailey Whitmarsh is also back for her third season after being third on the team in digs with 205 total and 2.11 digs per set. Hastings will look to replace Alexis Pontine, who led the team in assists the last two seasons. Sophomore setter Fran Warson made the most of her playing time a season ago, playing in 21 matches and finishing with 384 assists in her first season for a 4.92 average. The Broncos will begin the 2026 season with their annual Crimson/White scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 4pm, before beginning their regular season at the Siouxland Invitational against Viterbo on Friday, Aug. 21 at 2pm, as part of a four-match trip. Their first home game will be in their second conference game on Wednesday, Sept. 9 against Mount Marty at 7:30pm. Click here to subscribe to our KSNB Local4 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox. Copyright 2026 KSNB. All rights reserved.