HELENA — As the summer heat fades, the Carroll College volleyball team is diving into preparations for the 2026 season with a clear sense of purpose. The Saints carry a 17-14 overall record and a 12-10 mark in Frontier Conference play from last year, but head coach Maureen Boyle sees room for growth. This fall, the roster blends a tight-knit senior class with nine incoming players, creating a dynamic that demands both patience and urgency.

For Boyle, the path to success starts with personal connections. “Our focus really is on the relationship before the volleyball,” she explained. “It’s been going really well.” That philosophy is already shaping early practices, where veterans like Lauren Heuiser, Callie Kaiser, Norah Allen, McKaila Balcom, and Jansyn Carrizales are stepping into mentorship roles. Boyle noted that this group of seniors is driven by a larger mission. “These seniors have decided that they want to leave a legacy, and that matters to me,” she said.

The infusion of nine new faces—some freshmen, others transfers—has made team chemistry a top priority. “Anytime nine new players come in, nobody knows anybody and you have to figure that out first,” Boyle said. That process involves everything from shared meals to off-court activities, all designed to build trust before the first serve. The Saints believe that a united locker room will translate into a cohesive performance on the court.

On the court, Carroll is building on a solid foundation. Last season, the Saints posted a 9-3 record at home, proving they can defend their own floor. The expectation now is to compete near the top of the Frontier Conference standings. Boyle acknowledged that the players themselves hold high standards. “Their expectations ... the bar is pretty high,” she said. The ultimate prize—a conference tournament title—remains the target, but Boyle is careful to frame success in broader terms. “They want to win and I think the carrot is always winning the conference tournament,” she said. “But more than that it’s being together as a team.”

As the newcomers learn the system and the veterans refine their leadership, the Saints are aiming to strike a balance between immediate results and long-term growth. The schedule opens on August 14, and the team is eager to see how their preseason work translates into match play. If the early chemistry holds, Carroll could be a dangerous contender in the Frontier Conference race.