On a young team featuring new players in several key offensive positions, Western Michigan University's volleyball team will look to build chemistry and consistency as the season takes shape.

That's not the same case in the backrow defense where the Broncos return two outstanding players who were team leaders in digging the ball to redshirt sophomore setter Leah Richmond for last season's team which made it to the Mid-American Conference Tournament title match.

WMU (17-16 overall, 13-5 MAC in 2025) opens the season at home with the Western Michigan Tournament against Green Bay on Friday night. They will play Navy on Saturday and Indiana State on Sunday.

On the roster is just one senior, Gabby Weihe, who transferred in this season from Western Kentucky. The juniors are Elana Erickson, Annalise Patchett, Ella Guilfoy, Izzy Swiercz and Carley Piercefield. The sophomores are Richmond, Camille Morrison, Mia Jurkovic and Cassidy Pratley. The freshman class consists of Riley Messenger, Ella Askin and Bri Zimmerman.

"Our expectations are very high in practice, and we keep pushing each other daily," head coach Colleen Munson, who is entering her 22nd season at WMU, said. "Absolutely, this team can win it all.

"We saw a lot of talented teams last year in our conference and fell just short in the title game. It's something we have talked about and something we use as motivation."

Anchoring the back row are Erickson, Piercefield, Guilfoy and Messenger. Erickson was fifth in the MAC in digs per set at 3.59. Piercefield had 301 digs and Guilfoy had 119.

Both an offensive and defensive weapon is Richmond, who was named to the Preseason All-MAC Team by the league's coaches. She led the MAC in assists per set, 9.93, and her total assists of 1,241 was 16th-best in the nation. The redshirt sophomore also added 414 digs and a 3.31 digs per set average, 10th-best in the MAC.

"Leah has continued to grow throughout the spring and early preseason, bringing consistency to the tempo of our offensive system," Munson said. "With new teammates and returners stepping into different roles, she is continuing to build trust in our system and those around her.

"As a group, they are learning to play alongside one another while bringing out the best in themselves and each other."

The attackers include Weihe, Pratley and Zimmerman in the middle along with Swiercz, Patchett, Askin, Morrison and Jurkovic on the outside. Patchett is the top returner in total kills with 309. Jurkovic added 190.

"It's nice to have versatility on the outside and the right side," Munson said. "We're watching our system develop and we will continue to adjust as our preseason progresses before we settle on anything."

In the middle is where WMU has to replace two of last year's top hitters in Mary Clare Brusek and Amanda Glanton. Weihe brings a wealth of experience after playing 83 matches at Western Kentucky. Last season, she had a .323 hitting percentage and averaged almost one block per set.

"Gabby brings valuable experience from being part of a successful program, along with a high volleyball IQ," Munson said. "We're continuing to develop a system which allows all of our players to flourish with both our offensive and defensive systems."

Like every other team at this stage of the season, Western Michigan can't wait to play.

"Every team we play presents a unique challenge and an opportunity to learn, whether it's identifying areas where we can improve or recognizing what we do well," Munson said. "When we stay focused on our process and execute it well, we put ourselves in the best position to achieve the outcomes we desire."