CALDWELL, Idaho — A veteran core and a talented group of newcomers have the College of Idaho volleyball team poised for another run at the top of the Cascade Collegiate Conference in 2026.
The Yotes enter the season ranked No. 18 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll and were picked to finish third in the CCC, setting the stage for a season of high expectations under 26th-year head coach Liz Mendiola.
College of Idaho returns 14 letterwinners from last year's team, which finished 21-10 overall and 13-7 in conference play. The Yotes finished fourth in the CCC standings and advanced to the conference and national tournaments, continuing a tradition of success that includes eight conference championships and 16 NAIA Tournament appearances.
EXPERIENCE RETURNS
At the center of the returning group is Junior middle blocker Abigail Flerchinger also returns after a breakout sophomore season. A First Team All-CCC selection and AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention, Flerchinger recorded 265 kills and 100 total blocks while hitting .256 for the Yotes.
Junior Cierra Bohrn provides another powerful presence at the net. The 6-foot middle blocker/opposite earned All-CCC Honorable Mention recognition after recording 236 kills, averaging 2.13 kills per set and adding 90 total blocks in 2025.
Sophomore setter Shaynee McWilliams, who made an immediate impact as a freshman by earning CCC Freshman of the Year honors. McWilliams directed the Yotes' offense with 703 assists in 2025, averaging 6.83 assists per set while also contributing 1.92 digs per set.
The Yotes will also look to a veteran group that includes seniors Keylee Wilson, Kelsy Stanger, Liza Montalbo, Cora Young, Jessica Stires, and Alexa Wheeler, along with a junior class featuring Caroline Mick, Kadence Boyd, Kadance Jacobson. Jaazinia Murphy and Masina Wooley will represent the returning sophomore class.
REPLACING KEY PRODUCTION
While College of Idaho brings back significant experience, the Yotes will need to replace the production of a pair of key outside hitters.
Mia Hutchinson graduated after earning First Team All-CCC, AVCA All-American Honorable Mention and First Team All-Region honors. Hutchinson led the team with 351 kills in 2025, averaging 3.08 kills per set while adding 181 digs.
Brooke Garman also departs after recording 219 kills and averaging 2.41 kills per set last season.
The departures leave opportunities for the returning Yotes and a trio of newcomers to take on expanded roles.
NEW FACES IN CALDWELL
To help fill those gaps, the Yotes welcome five transfers with proven collegiate experience.
Junior opposite Julia Baird arrives from Pima Community College after averaging 2.19 kills and 2.53 digs per set while earning ACCAC All-Conference honors. She began her Yotes career on the sand during the Spring 2026 beach volleyball season.
Sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter Addison McKarcher joins the Yotes from Fresno Pacific University after averaging 1.16 kills and 0.68 blocks per set.
Junior outside hitter Carolina Moreno Rubio also joins the Yotes inside after playing beach volleyball in the spring. She comes from Central Arizona College, where she averaged 3.13 kills, 2.18 digs and 0.46 blocks per set.
Cooper Nave joins the Yotes as a defensive specialist from Clackamas Community College while Ajah Nielsen rounds out the transfers, joining the team from USU-Eastern.
The Yotes also welcome three freshmen to the program in setter Whitney Pierzga, setter Emma Krogh, and libero Avery Lewis. The group adds youth and depth to a roster that features a mix of returning veterans and experienced transfers.
The combination of returning production, proven transfers, and a talented freshman class gives Mendiola and her staff a roster capable of competing immediately in a deep CCC field.
THE SEASON AHEAD
The 2026 campaign begins Aug. 14 when the Yotes head to College of Southern Idaho for an exhibition. College of Idaho then opens regular-season play in Fullerton, Calif. on Aug. 21st and 22nd against Hope International, Life Pacific, The Master's, and Simpson University. They end the preseason by hosting a tournament that features matches against Montana Western, Dickinson State, and The Master's University. Due to ongoing construction at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center, the I-84 Classic will be hosted at Northwest Nazarene University's Johnson Sports Center.
CCC play begins Sept. 4 against Northwest University, with the Yotes slated to play 20 conference matches throughout the season. The regular season concludes Nov. 7 at Walla Walla University.
With 14 letterwinners back, five impactful transfers joining the roster and a national preseason ranking already attached to their name, the Yotes enter 2026 with their sights set on making another deep run in the CCC and returning to the national stage.
