For a program that celebrated one of the most successful seasons in school history a year ago, the message around Chagrin Falls this fall isn’t about defending a championship.
It’s about taking the next step.
The Tigers are coming off an 18-5 season that included a 9-1 record in the Chagrin Valley Conference, a share of just the second CVC championship in school history and a trip to the district semifinals, matching the second-best postseason finish in program history.
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Now, seventh-year head coach Kelly Holtz returns a veteran group featuring 10 seniors, four returning starters and the deepest varsity roster she’s had during her tenure.
“Chagrin’s Varsity team will tout 10 seniors, which will provide great depth for the Tigers,” Holtz said. “Building on the momentum of last season, Chagrin understands the work and commitment to achieve the success they are desiring to have again.”
That experience has created lofty expectations, but Holtz knows nothing will be handed to her team.
The Tigers graduated two standout outside hitters from last year’s championship squad, opening the door for a talented group of pin hitters eager to prove themselves.
“Two strong outside hitters have graduated, which has left the program with a long list of pins who have been inspired, motivated, and hungry to demonstrate their capabilities,” Holtz said.
Fortunately for Chagrin Falls, competition has become one of the program’s defining characteristics.
Depth is the Tigers’ biggest weapon
With 16 players on the varsity roster, Chagrin Falls has more depth than ever before.
Holtz believes managing that depth will be just as important as developing it.
“With our largest varsity roster to date, keeping everyone aligned, anchored, and accountable for what the team’s ambitions are will be important,” she said.
That internal competition has elevated practices throughout the offseason.
“Chagrin is fortunate to have depth, so competition is ever-present in our gym even before we see our opponents,” Holtz said. “Using the fire and desire of our athletes ‘to be the difference maker’ and represent our team on the court for matches is a real motivator to bring out our strengths.”
With experienced players pushing one another every day, the Tigers believe they’ll be battle-tested long before conference play begins.
Senior leadership drives the culture
The foundation of this year’s team rests with three captains who have spent their entire high school careers helping transform the Chagrin Falls program.
Seniors Lily Victoroff, Sadie Conrad and Molly Nightwine have each been varsity contributors for four seasons and have helped lead the Tigers from contenders to conference champions.
“Chagrin’s leadership through their three captains has been a huge factor in why we are where we are,” Holtz said. “All three have been on varsity their full four years. They have played a part in the evolution of the program, witnessed the changes needed and committed themselves, and their teammates, to become the team they have wanted to play with and for.”
That leadership should provide stability as Chagrin looks to build on last season’s breakthrough.
Projected Attackers
Lily Victoroff, Sr., Middle Hitter
Victoroff returns after earning second-team All-CVC honors while hitting .272 with 60 kills. She also contributed 16 aces, 14 total blocks and 26 digs while emerging as one of the conference’s top middle hitters.
“Lily is a force in the middle; her quick feet and arm give her great range, and she is hungry for the ball, which is what you want from a middle,” Holtz said. “She’s driven to block as many balls as possible. Lily’s defense doesn’t stop at the net; with her fierce serve and consistency, she digs a lot of balls to keep her serving going. A first-year captain and a thoughtful and intentional player, we are excited to see what her senior year brings.”
Molly Nightwine, Sr., Pin
One of the Tigers’ most versatile players, Nightwine earned honorable mention All-CVC recognition after recording 229 attacks while hitting .179. She added 10 aces, averaged 3.1 serve-receive passes per set and finished with 83 digs.
“Molly is a great utility player for the Tigers. She can just do it all. Last year the team went to Molly as our fifth setter due to injury. She can pass, dig, hit, block, set. She is that player that works to make the team better and bring them together. As a second-year captain, she has vision on where she wants her team to be and puts in the work to find where she can contribute.”
Molly Wheatley, Jr., Middle Hitter
Wheatley continues to develop into a force at the net after totaling 44 kills while hitting .210 and recording 17 blocks last season.
“Wheat is taking off as a middle,” Holtz said. “She is working to get open to create more opportunities to swing for the Tigers. Her super-power, however, is blocking.”
Siena Farah, Jr., Pin
After serving primarily as a defensive specialist in 2025, Farah appears ready for an expanded six-rotation role. She finished last season with 17 aces while serving at 94.9 percent and added 53 digs.
“Siena helped our 2025 team as a DS. This year she is looking strong to have the chance at being a six-rotation player. As a junior captain, she rounds out our athlete-leadership for the team and helps drive the standards the team tries to meet every time they are together. Look for Siena to leap into this season for Chagrin.”
Brooke Babic, Sr., Setter
Babic has elevated her all-around game during the offseason and gives Chagrin another experienced option to run the offense.
“Brooke has worked on her game a lot in the offseason. She has increased her speed and defense on the court. Her consistency to set a ‘hittable’ ball has increased, and we look for her to create many opportunities for her teammates to swing away.”
Abbey Babic, Sr., Pin
One of the Tigers’ biggest offseason success stories, Babic enters her senior season committed to Roanoke College and poised for a larger offensive role.
“Abbey has got to be our most-improved senior,” Holtz said. “Over the past four years, she has worked tirelessly to study her game and push herself to the player she is now. A quiet leader, her power and drive speak volumes when she plays. Abbey is a 2027 commit to Roanoke College in Virginia. If she continues to improve like she has over the last three years, the Hawks are going to love their new player, as she just keeps getting better and better.”
Dasha Kuzmenko, Jr., Pin
Kuzmenko has quickly emerged as another player capable of making an impact.
“Dasha has come a long way in a short time,” Holtz said. “She is exploding out of the gate this season and putting her hat in the ring to be considered for a starting position.”
Defense and Setting
Sadie Conrad, Sr., Libero
Conrad returns after a standout junior season that earned first-team All-CVC and CVC All-Star honors. She totaled 128 digs, passed 181 serve-receive balls, recorded 31 assists and averaged 3.8 digs per set.
“Sadie’s tenacity as a libero has grown over the past four years,” Holtz said. “She has rounded out her skills to be a huge contributor in out-of-system plays. Her defensive vision has gotten sharper, which has increased her ability to keep us in our matches. She is a second-year captain and has a fire to find ways for the Tigers to celebrate this season.”
Margaret Svette, So., Setter
Already an honorable mention All-CVC performer as a freshman, Svette gives the Tigers a talented young floor general after recording 142 assists, averaging 5.7 assists per set and adding 63 digs.
“Margaret’s game intelligence and delivery of a hittable ball have our offense swinging,” Holtz said. “Her on-court leadership is spoken through her work ethic and understanding of how to create points for her team. As only a sophomore, we look for Margaret to have more opportunities in play to demonstrate her full range as an athlete.”
Elsie Mulloy, Fr., Defensive Specialist/Libero
One of the Tigers’ newest faces has already earned the confidence of the coaching staff.
“Elsie has worked hard to earn her spot on varsity, and we are excited to see what she can do at this higher level of play and while getting mentored by senior Sadie Conrad,” Holtz said.
Outlook
Few teams in the CVC enter the season with as much experience, depth and leadership as Chagrin Falls.
The Tigers return all-conference performers in Lily Victoroff, Sadie Conrad and Margaret Svette while welcoming several players ready for expanded roles. Their depth at the pin positions should help offset the graduation losses, and a veteran leadership group has already established the culture Holtz believes is necessary for another championship run.
After helping the Tigers capture just the second conference championship in school history and matching the program’s second-best postseason finish, this senior class has one final opportunity to leave its mark.
With 10 seniors leading the way and competition throughout the roster, Chagrin Falls enters 2026 as one of the favorites to contend for another CVC title—and perhaps make the deepest tournament run the program has ever experienced.
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CHAGRIN FALLS TIGERS Volleyball
2026-2027 Chagrin Falls Tigers Volleyball Schedule
Date Opponent Result Time Location Aug. 18, 2026
Tuesday
Solon6:00 PM Quesinberry Gym Aug. 20, 2026
Thursday7:00 PM Villa Angela St. Joseph High School Aug. 20, 2026
Thursday7:00 PM VASJ High School Aug. 22, 2026
Saturday
LakeviewL 1-2 10:00 AM Howland High School Aug. 22, 2026
Saturday
HowlandL 0-2 11:30 AM Howland High School Aug. 25, 2026
Tuesday
Orange LionsW 3-0 6:30 PM Quesinberry Gym Aug. 27, 2026
ThursdayW 3-2 6:00 PM Shaker Heights North Gym Aug. 29, 2026
SaturdayW 2-1 10:15 AM Madison Aug. 29, 2026
SaturdayW 2-0 9:00 AM Chardon Sep. 1, 2026
TuesdayW 3-0 6:30 PM Chagrin Falls Sep. 2, 2026
WednesdayW 3-0 6:00 PM Berkshire Sep. 8, 2026
TuesdayL 1-3 6:30 PM Kirtland Watch Sep. 9, 2026
WednesdayW 3-0 6:00 PM Wickliffe Sep. 15, 2026
TuesdayW 3-0 6:30 PM Chagrin Falls Watch Sep. 17, 2026
ThursdayW 3-0 6:30 PM Crestwood Sep. 22, 2026
TuesdayW 3-0 6:00 PM Quesinberry Gym Watch Sep. 24, 2026
ThursdayW 3-0 6:30 PM Rootstown Sep. 29, 2026
TuesdayW 3-0 6:00 PM Chagrin Falls Watch Oct. 1, 2026
ThursdayL 2-3 6:30 PM Chagrin Falls Watch Oct. 6, 2026
TuesdayW 3-0 6:00 PM Chagrin Falls Watch Oct. 8, 2026
ThursdayW 3-0 6:30 PM Lutheran West Watch Oct. 13, 2026
TuesdayW 3-1 6:30 PM Chagrin Falls Oct. 15, 2026
ThursdayL 0-3 6:30 PM Kenston Main Gym Watch Oct. 20, 2026
Tuesday
MarlingtonL 0-3 7:00 PM Chagrin Falls Watch
VASJ Vikings
Shaker Heights
Madison Blue Streaks
Chardon Hilltoppers
Rootstown Rovers
Berkshire Badgers
Kirtland Hornets
Wickliffe Blue Devils
Lutheran West Longhorns
Crestwood Red Devils
Hathaway Brown
Kenston Bombers
