Replacing a senior class that helped produce a 23 wins, a Chagrin Valley Conference championship contender, and a regional semifinal appearance is never easy. But after more than two decades leading the Berkshire Volleyball program, Joni Prots knows every season presents a new challenge.

The Badgers finished 23-3 overall and 9-1 in the CVC in 2025 before advancing to the regional semifinals with a 3-1 postseason record. While Berkshire returns just two starters, six additional letterwinners give the Badgers a foundation to remain competitive.

“I feel like this group has so much potential for growth,” Prots said. “We have great athletes on this team. They just need to find their identity as a group.”

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Replacing Experience

Graduation claimed much of Berkshire’s production and experience, forcing a new generation of players into expanded roles.

“We are not expecting to replace them; we are looking to find this group’s strengths,” Prots said. “We have players that contributed last year, but this season they will need to become the scorers and the leaders on the court.”

Rather than trying to duplicate last season’s formula, the Badgers will build around versatility and steady improvement throughout the year.

“Our biggest weakness is inexperience, so the more we play, hopefully that will become less of a weakness,” Prots said. “We have a lot of versatility in this group so we will look to spread the ball around on offense.”

Leadership Returns

Berkshire’s leadership begins with senior libero Maddie Bower, a four-year letterwinner who anchors the back row after recording 26 aces and 166 digs while earning Honorable Mention All-CVC and Honorable Mention All-District recognition.

“Maddie has the most varsity experience on the team as a four-year letterwinner and will be relied on heavily this year to be a leader on the court,” Prots said. “She will be a key component in our serve receive and defense this year in her role as libero.”

Junior middle hitter Stella Bateman is the other returning starter after finishing with 75 kills and 46 blocks.

“Stella will take on a bigger role at the net this season,” Prots said. “She gained experience last year, and we are looking for her to play a much larger role in our offense.”

Attacking the Net

Berkshire expects several players to step into expanded offensive roles this fall.

Junior Bailey Hunter brings versatility after totaling 44 kills, 44 digs and 12 blocks while seeing time across multiple front-row positions.

“Bailey shared time on the outside last season and had some great games,” Prots said. “We will need her to have a bigger impact within our offense this year. Bailey can swing from both pins and from the middle, which gives us lots of opportunities to get her the ball.”

Junior Moira Wonders is another outside hitter expected to make a significant leap after recording 20 kills and 17 digs last season.

“Moira is another one that shared time on the outside last year,” Prots said. “The amount of growth we have seen in Moira in the off-season is huge. We are looking for her to contribute as a six-rotation player this season and make a bigger impact within the offense from the pins.”

Senior Whitney Davis moves into a bigger role in the middle of the front row.

“Whitney will be stepping into a full-time role this season after sharing time the last two seasons,” Prots said. “She is a powerful hitter and has quick reaction time that will help with our defense.”

Sophomore Elin Hissa also adds another versatile option to the attack.

“Elin improved a lot in the off-season,” Prots said. “She is a very versatile player and can swing from all positions.”

Setting the Offense

Replacing last year’s experience includes handing the offense to a new setter tandem.

Senior Charlotte Townsend will share setting duties while contributing defensively.

“Charlotte will be one of our setters this season, and we look for her to contribute defensively as well.”

Junior Lilli Deweese rounds out the rotation at setter.

“Lilli’s coachability and willingness to learn are an asset for the team,” Prots said. “Lilli will be the other setter in charge of running our offense.”

Defensive Depth

Along with Bower’s leadership at libero, Berkshire expects strong defensive contributions from senior Cheyenne Humes and junior Bella Chenoweth.

“Cheyenne provides quickness and hustle to our defense,” Prots said. “She has a very positive attitude, on and off the court. Bella is a utility player who adds depth to our roster in all positions.”

OUTLOOK

The Badgers may not have the experience that fueled last year’s regional semifinal run, but Berkshire has plenty of athleticism and versatility to remain among the contenders in the CVC. If its new leaders emerge quickly and the younger players continue to develop throughout the season, Berkshire has the pieces to once again challenge for conference honors and make another postseason push.

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BERKSHIRE BADGERS Volleyball

Chagrin Valley Conference

🏆Conference Championships2025 Chagrin Division2025 Valley Division2024 Valley Division2023 Valley Division

Record: 17-7Conference: 9-3 • 3rd in Valley Division• 2026-2027 Season

Next Game: None scheduled

Last Game: L 0-3 vs Orrville • Oct. 27

2026-2027 Berkshire Badgers Volleyball Schedule

🖨 Print

Date	Opponent	Result	Time	Location
Aug. 22, 2026 Saturday	vs Madison Blue Streaks	W 3-2	12:00 PM	Berkshire Local Schools HS Competition Gym
Aug. 25, 2026 Tuesday	vs Champion	W 3-0	6:30 PM	Berkshire Local Schools HS Competition Gym
Aug. 27, 2026 Thursday	@ Jefferson Falcons	L 1-3	6:00 PM	Falcon Gymnasium
Sep. 1, 2026 Tuesday	vs Lutheran West Longhorns	W 3-0	6:00 PM	Berkshire
Sep. 2, 2026 Wednesday	vs Chagrin Falls Tigers	L 0-3	6:00 PM	Berkshire
Sep. 8, 2026 Tuesday	@ Crestwood Red Devils	W 3-1	6:30 PM	Crestwood
Sep. 10, 2026 Thursday	vs Kirtland Hornets	W 3-2	6:00 PM	Berkshire Watch
Sep. 12, 2026 Saturday	@ Jefferson Falcons	W 2-0	12:00 PM	Jefferson
Sep. 12, 2026 Saturday	@ Madison Blue Streaks	W 2-0	9:45 AM	Madison
Sep. 12, 2026 Saturday	@ Willoughby South Rebels	L 0-2	9:45 AM	Willoughby South
Sep. 16, 2026 Wednesday	vs Cardinal Huskies	W 3-1	6:30 PM	Berkshire Local Schools HS Competition Gym Watch
Sep. 17, 2026 Thursday	@ Wickliffe Blue Devils	W 3-0	6:00 PM	Wickliffe
Sep. 19, 2026 Saturday	vs VASJ Vikings	W 2-0	10:00 AM	Berkshire
Sep. 19, 2026 Saturday	vs Edgewood Warriors	L 0-2	10:00 AM	Berkshire
Sep. 19, 2026 Saturday	vs Orange Lions	REPORT SCORE	9:00 AM	Berkshire Local Schools HS Competition Gym
Sep. 19, 2026 Saturday	vs Conneaut Spartans	W 2-0	9:00 AM	Berkshire
Sep. 22, 2026 Tuesday	@ Rootstown Rovers	W 3-0	7:00 PM	Rootstown
Sep. 24, 2026 Thursday	@ Lutheran West Longhorns	W 3-1	6:00 PM	Lutheran West Watch
Sep. 29, 2026 Tuesday	@ Chagrin Falls Tigers	L 0-3	6:00 PM	Chagrin Falls Watch
Oct. 1, 2026 Thursday	vs Crestwood Red Devils	W 3-0	6:00 PM	Berkshire
Oct. 6, 2026 Tuesday	@ Kirtland Hornets	L 1-3	6:00 PM	Kirtland Watch
Oct. 13, 2026 Tuesday	vs Wickliffe Blue Devils	W 3-0	6:00 PM	Berkshire
Oct. 15, 2026 Thursday	vs Rootstown Rovers	W 3-2	6:00 PM	Berkshire Watch
Oct. 22, 2026 Thursday	vs EEast Tech	W 3-0	7:00 PM	Berkshire
Oct. 27, 2026 Tuesday	vs Orrville	L 0-3	5:00 PM	Chippewa