The Pitt-Greensburg volleyball team enters the 2026 season with something to prove. 

After a challenging 2025 campaign, second-year head coach Holly Saville and the Bobcats are focused on building a new identity, developing a young roster and changing expectations surrounding the program. Picked to finish last in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference preseason poll, Pitt-Greensburg isn't shying away from its underdog status. 

Instead, the Bobcats hope to turn it into an advantage. 

"We have strong offensive players, and our defensive squad is a powerhouse," Saville said. "Also, we will have the element of surprise against our opponents this season." 

That "element of surprise" is exactly what Saville wants the Bobcats to be known for in 2026. 

Building Something Strong 

Pitt-Greensburg finished 2-26 overall and 0-8 in AMCC play last season, but the Bobcats enter the fall with a roster that looks much different than the one that ended 2025. 

With just one senior graduating from last year's team and a large freshman class joining the program, Pitt-Greensburg has an opportunity to combine valuable returning experience with an influx of new talent. 

The changes aren't limited to the roster. New assistant coaches Ashten Flynn and Lauren Turkovich have joined Saville on the sideline as the Bobcats continue laying the foundation for the program they want to become. 

"We are very excited for the season to begin," Saville said. "The team is very responsive and working extremely hard on their team and individual skills." 

When asked which areas have received the most attention during preseason practices, Saville's answer was simple: "All of them!" 

"We are reinventing and rebuilding our whole program," she added. 

Familiar Faces Ready to Lead 

While there will be plenty of new faces on the court this fall, the Bobcats return several players who gained significant experience a season ago. 

At the net, Mia Stohon returns after leading Pitt-Greensburg with 209 kills in 2025. Saville expects the returning hitter to once again make her presence felt offensively. 

"Mia Stohon is a force to be reckoned with at the net," Saville said. 

Paige Phillips is another returning offensive weapon who has caught her coach's attention throughout the preseason, with Saville noting that Phillips is "swinging with purpose" heading into the new campaign. 

The Bobcats also return setters Abbey Smulik and Lilly Buckles, a duo Saville described as "dominating and aggressive." 

Buckles was a key contributor in multiple areas last season. She paced Pitt-Greensburg with 338 assists while finishing second on the team with 224 digs, giving the Bobcats an experienced presence who can contribute both in setting up the attack and defensively. 

Newcomers Bring New Energy 

A large freshman class gives Pitt-Greensburg additional options across the court, and several newcomers have already begun making an impression. 

Saville pointed to Damia Sibblies as a player capable of providing immediate offensive production, describing the pin hitter as a "powerhouse." 

The Bobcats' new defensive group has also brought plenty of energy to preseason practices. Ainsley Martin, McKenna Pore and Hannah Binns are among the newcomers Saville expects to bolster Pitt-Greensburg's ability to keep rallies alive. 

"Our new defensive squad — Ainsley Martin, McKenna Pore, Hannah Binns — are screaming 'NO' when the ball tries to touch the floor!" Saville said. 

With returning offensive weapons and a revamped defensive unit, the Bobcats hope the combination can make them a difficult matchup throughout the fall. 

Hungry for More 

The goals inside the Pitt-Greensburg gym aren't complicated. 

"WIN!" Saville said. "Build up our record and make it to playoffs!" 

Reaching the AMCC postseason would represent a significant step forward for a program that went winless in conference play last fall. But Saville's vision for 2026 goes beyond what appears in the win-loss column. 

By the time the season concludes, she wants the Bobcats to have established the culture and identity that can carry the program forward. 

"Make it to playoffs!" Saville said of what she hopes the team accomplishes. "But ultimately have built our team culture, earn more wins and make a name for ourselves." 

Being selected last in the conference's preseason poll gives Pitt-Greensburg an opportunity to do exactly that. With a young roster and a program undergoing a rebuild, the Bobcats enter the season without the weight of outside expectations — and with plenty of opportunities to exceed them. 

The First Test 

Pitt-Greensburg won't have to wait long to find out how its rebuilt roster stacks up. 

The Bobcats open the 2026 season on the road Sept. 1 at Bethany before returning to Greensburg one day later for their home opener against Chatham on Sept. 2. 

The home schedule will also feature several special events throughout the fall, including Mental Health Awareness Night on Sept. 15 and the program's Dig Pink match on Oct. 14. Pitt-Greensburg will host two home tri-matches during the latter portion of the season, scheduled for Oct. 10 and Nov. 7. 

As the opening serve approaches, Saville's message to her team reflects both where the Bobcats are and where they hope to go. 

"Together we are building something strong!" Saville said. "We are accountable, we are hungry, we are ready and we are here to win, work and play!" 

For a team looking to make a name for itself, the opportunity is there. 

Now, the Bobcats are ready to provide the element of surprise.