Herrforth, NB volleyball out to 3-1 start in '26
· Yahoo Sports
Throughout its history in athletics, the New Boston Glenwood Tigers' sports programs have always gotten the best out of what they've had from a mixture of dedicated athletes to the tight-knit group of coaches leading them.
The 2026 version of the New Boston Glenwood volleyball program is no exception to this rule.
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With a tight core of players, a talented group that will see six of its top seven players return for the 2027-28 season and one of its best multi-sport athletes leading the program in New Boston Glenwood alumni Ali Herrforth leading them, the ceiling for New Boston's volleyball program is certainly an elevated one.
That's already showing up in the early results that Hamilton's group has accumulated to begin 2026, as the Lady Tigers are 3-1 to begin the year with impressive four-set victories over Manchester and Western and a five-set road win at Northwest.
It's all part of a schedule where New Boston Glenwood is testing itself with eight road matches over its first 10 to begin the 2026 season, including matches at Racine Southern and Fairfield Christian Academy.
Considering the results in Glenwood's gritty wins at Manchester and Northwest already, it's clear that the schedule is already paying dividends.
"We have a pretty tough nonconference schedule with picking up a lot of teams from a decently far distance," Herrforth said. "However, I wanted to schedule more matches that would challenge us and give the girls more competition, because I want them to be prepared for tournament time and expect more out of them. They're really responding."
Junior frontline player Daisy Hamilton and sophomore hitter and setter Rilyn Holbrook have been the leaders for New Boston Glenwood's offensive attack early on. The duo, who combined for 50 kills as of Aug. 31, are the primary attackers in Glenwood's 6-2 formation.
The duo are also keeping a tradition alive within their own families in playing the sport itself. Hamilton, who stands at 6-1, is Herrforth's younger sister, while Holbrook is the daughter of Hamilton's head coach in high school, Kendra Holbrook.
Defensively, New Boston Glenwood junior Justina Williams, who is 5-9 and like Holbrook is a three-sport athlete, has shown off her athleticism throughout different points. Williams led the team with five total blocks entering the middle of the week, and also sat inside the team's top-five in service receptions and digs as well.
"Rilyn does really well," Herrforth said. "She sets when she's in the back row, and hits when she's on the front row. Justina has been putting in a lot of work this year, especially in the back row with digging. During her freshman year, I ran her as a setter, so she's made a lot of progress. She's a versatile player. She'll play anywhere and get to the ball, or do what she needs to do to help get our team where it needs to be."
Primary setter Mya Truitt helps get the New Boston Glenwood attack in motion with her play as a setter.
A natural leader as indicated by her roles in softball (No. 1 pitcher) and girls basketball (top-three scorer), Truitt led the team coming into the middle of the week with 40 assists, was tied for the team lead with Chloe Hunter at 43 digs, and was second to Holbrook with six aces.
"When Mya's on the court, I know she's going to place the ball somewhere where somebody can go get it," Herrforth said. "She sees the court so well."
The result has been a promising start that Herrforth credits to the team's work on the little nuances of the game from the dig to the kill.
"All summer, we have worked on nothing but passing, serve receive and coverage, and we've really improved in those areas and done well," Herrforth said. "That part of our team was what we needed to improve, I thought, all preseason in order to get better for this season. They have worked really hard, and it's showing. We've definitely improved from a defensive standpoint."
Along with Hamilton, Holbrook, Truitt and Williams, Hunter, who is a defensive stronghold alongside Truitt, New Boston Glenwood sophomore Adyson Potts, and Lady Tiger senior Kaelyn Tabor have all been key pieces to New Boston Glenwood's start on the volleyball court this season.
The work ethic of the core group, Herrfoth said, has been a difference-maker. During the 2025-26 season, New Boston Glenwood didn't win its third game until Sept. 11.
"They are in the gym all the time," Herrforth said. "I can count on my top seven girls to be in the gym any time that I ask. They're going to put in the work. Their work ethic is just phenomenal. They don't take a break. They're always wanting to get reps, and they're always wanting to get as much gym time in as they can, and it's showing. They're a really good group of girls."
The ceiling for this group, Herrforth says, still hasn't been touched. She's simply wanting New Boston Glenwood to keep things on a day-by-day and match-by-match basis.
"Honestly, if they keep putting in the work that they are right now and keep making the little adjustments needed to get better, I believe that we can have a really good run," Herrforth said. "Hopefully, we're looking at being right there with Clay and Notre Dame or even taking the SOC I this year."
Regardless of how the proceedings ultimately shakes out, there's no place Herrforth would rather be than where she is at right now.
"I had the best experience, athletic-wise, throughout my time as a New Boston Tiger," Herrforth said. "I just wanted to bring back that motivation and give what I received growing up here. It's been a blessing, and I enjoy going in there and working with the kids as well as the environment. I know that the Village is always going to have my back, regardless, so it's just been an amazing experience. I've had a lot of support from the Village, and I'm glad to be back at my alma mater."