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By Ray Hamill — A busy offseason preparing for high school volleyball is paying off for several young players around the North Coast.

The 2026 campaign gets under way in the coming days, with early-season tournament games scheduled for some of the league programs, including a trip to the Chico tournament for Big 5 champion Eureka on Saturday.

And thanks to the return of one county travel team club this year, several young players in the area will be better prepared for the upcoming season, while others are getting new opportunities to compete in the sport.

The Redwood Empire Volleyball Club took the court again earlier this year for the first time in a decade, fielding four teams, including two at the 14U level.

And those players in particular are already reaping the rewards of their offseason work.

“It was a really good year,” club founder and coach Jacqueline Maschmeier said. “Every one of our incoming freshmen made their high school teams.”

The Redwood Empire girls also fielded 12U and 16U teams and traveled to compete at four tournaments, making trips to Redding, San Mateo, Sacramento and Reno.

Over 50 young girls from across the county played for the club’s teams, while 90 kids participated at the winter camp held earlier this year, showcasing the continued interest in volleyball here on the North Coast.

And that’s not all.

This coming year, Redwood Empire is planing on fielding a 14U coed team, giving young boys in the area the opportunity to compete in the sport.

“There are a lot of boys here who play for their middle school teams,” Maschmeier said. “And a couple of boys have already signed up for our tryouts (in October).”

Maschmeier also is returning to the sideline in the H-DNL this year, taking over as head coach of the Fortuna varsity team after spending the past two seasons as the Huskies’ JV coach.

The Fortuna girls have struggled in terms of wins and losses the past few seasons, including an 0-8 record in the Big 5 in 2025.

However, with a few key returning seniors and an enthusiastic roster of young players the Huskies will be hoping to turn the corner this year.

“We’re excited,” Maschmeier said. “This year we have a really young varsity team with six freshmen and six juniors and only three seniors. I think they’re going to be scrappy.”

Most of the Huskies players also are familiar with each other, having played together either at the club, high school or middle school level for the past few years.

“Most of the girls have been working with me,” the Fortuna coach said. “Half the team are club players and have played together since the fifth grade.”

The three seniors are all expected to contribute this fall and provide some necessary leadership on a young roster.

Addie Collenberg will be the team’s starting libero, while Ava Dill will bring her experience to the middle blocker position.

Defensive specialist Graci Elmors is Fortuna’s third senior and is expected back in the lineup later in the season after recovering from an injury.

The Huskies will be challenged right off the bat, however, opening the new season with back-to-back home games against Little 4 champion St. Bernard’s and Big 5 champion Eureka on Wednesday and Thursday of next week.

Anyone interested in more information on the Redwood Empire Volleyball club or to sign up for the upcoming tryouts in October, you can visit the club website here.