SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Skidmore College women's volleyball team will begin its 2026 season on the road on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. at Oneonta. Tuesday will mark the first season-opening meeting between the Thoroughbreds and Red Dragons, Skidmore has won each of the past two meetings and 3-of-4 since 2021.
 
Skidmore enters the season after earning its first playoff victory since 2012 last fall. The Thoroughbreds defeated Vassar in a five-set thriller in the first round of the Liberty League Tournament before advancing to the semifinal against top-seeded Ithaca.
 
A REWIND OF 2025
Skidmore finished with 16 wins in 2025, its highest victory total since 2018. The Thoroughbreds went 5-3 in Liberty League play, closing the league schedule with three consecutive wins against Vassar, Bard, and Clarkson.
 
Skidmore entered its semifinal matchup against Ithaca on a seven-match winning streak, but the Bombers earned a three-set victory before defeating William Smith in five sets in the championship match to claim their fourth consecutive Liberty League title.
 
THE SCHEDULE AHEAD
After opening at Oneonta, Skidmore will play three matches over the weekend at Springfield. Then, after visiting Williams on Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Skidmore Classic will take place Sept. 11-12 featuring Skidmore matches vs. St. John Fisher, Roger Williams, and Oswego. The following week, Senior Day highlights a tri-match with Russell Sage and Plattsburgh State.
 
Liberty League play commences on Saturday, Sept. 26 on the road at Clarkson. Down the stretch, the Thoroughbreds will host league matches against Ithaca (Oct. 3), William Smith (Oct. 23), RIT (Oct. 24), and St. Lawrence (Oct. 30).
 
The Liberty League Tournament will begin on Tuesday, Nov. 10 with the first round, followed by the semifinal on Nov. 13 and the championship match on Nov. 14.
 
RETURNING
Of the 16 rostered student-athletes, 13 are back from a season ago. Despite losing both of its All-Liberty League representatives to graduation, Skidmore still returns five players who started at least 10 matches in 2025.
 
Chloe Heitman leads the returning offensive group after putting down 202 kills as a first-year. Catriona Hoelperl joined the 1,000-assist club in 2025 as a junior, finishing the season with 672 assists to bring her career total to 1,446.
 
Marlowe McIntyre, who joined the lineup as a sophomore after missing her first year due to injury, led the Thoroughbreds with 392 digs and 419 successful serve receives. Katy O'Connell led Skidmore with 74.0 blocks as a first-year.
 
INCOMING
The Thoroughbreds welcome three new players, all first-years, to the roster in 2026.
 
PROGRAM HISTORY
Skidmore has four Liberty League titles under its belt and has appeared in five NCAA Division III Tournaments.
 
Head coach Lindsay King enters her fifth season in Saratoga Springs. Her record at Skidmore is 50-55 (.476) and owns 62 career head-coaching victories.
 
FROM HEAD COACH LINDSAY KING
"We're excited about the group we have this season. There has been a lot of energy and competitiveness in the gym throughout preseason, and we've really enjoyed seeing this group come together.
 
"This team is looking forward to competing at the highest level, continue building on the progress we've made as a program, and see what we can accomplish together."