Listen Here
Zak Reinhart
reinhartz@findlay.edu
The 2026-2027 volleyball team has a reputation to uphold. Last year, the team finished 24-6 overall, 13-2 in the conference and held national rankings through most of the season.
This year, the team’s preseason ranking is not in the top 25 in the country but did receive votes placing them in the top 35 of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Taraflex Division II National Preseason Poll.
The first loss of last season in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play last year went to Cedarville University.
Though the team lost in the G-MAC semifinals it went on to play in the NCAA playoffs beating Wayne State University in the Midwest Regional Quarterfinal but losing to in the semifinal to Indianapolis University.
Again, this team will be led by head coach Wick Colchagoff who has led this Findlay volleyball program since 1998.
This year’s roster boasts a lot of experience.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a graduating class of eight seniors,” Colchagoff said.
This surplus of veterans will certainly give Findlay an edge this season. However, experience isn’t the only thing Colchagoff felt distanced his current team from past rosters.
“I think that this team has a lot better ball control, a lot better serve-receive, and better defense than a lot of the Findlay teams in the past,” Colchagoff said. This team brings not only leadership and experience, but a roster loaded with talent ready to take the G-MAC by storm.
Outside of on-the-court performance, off the court there can be one word to describe this team, family.
“I really enjoy being around this team,” Colchagoff said. “Being around them not as athletes, but as people.”
Fifth year senior and 2025 First Team All-G-MAC athlete Lauren Foerster agrees.
“We have a great culture,” Foerster said. “We all have our inside jokes and everything that kinda holds us together off the court.”
Foerster says looking ahead one team on the schedule stands out.
“Cedarville has been kinda the team to beat in the past, so I’m really excited to play Cedarville,” Foerster said
“Cedarville over the last few years has been a really nice rival of ours and our matches have always been super tight,” Colchagoff said.
The Oilers host the Yellowjackets at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 in Cory gymnasium. The season starts Friday, Aug. 21 at Youngstown State University in a 6 p.m. exhibition game.
