Griffs’ Women’s Volleyball shows resilience despite winless start
By Paige Apps, Sports Reporter
The Canisius women’s volleyball team is still searching for its first victory of the 2026 season, but the Golden Griffins have shown plenty of reasons for optimism seven matches into the year.
Canisius enters the next stretch of its schedule with a 0–7 record after going winless at the Canisius/UB Invitational over the weekend. Despite the results, the Griffs have continued to show their ability to battle through difficult stretches, push opponents and find momentum when facing deficits.
The strongest example came Friday against Dartmouth when Canisius rallied from a first–set loss to even the match at 1–1. After falling behind 17–13 in the second set, the Griffs responded with a 9–0 scoring run fueled by kills from junior Emma Isroff and redshirt–junior Julia Lenik. Canisius went on to take the set 25–19 and briefly seize control of the match.
The Griffs nearly carried that momentum into the third set, as well. Canisius fought back from a 25–24 deficit to tie the frame at 25 apiece on an Isroff kill before the Big Green ultimately closed out the set, 27–25.
Although Dartmouth went on to win the match, the performance highlighted the fight Canisius has displayed throughout the opening weeks of the season.
Isroff continues to establish herself as one of the Griffs’ leading offensive threats during the invitational, earning All–Tournament honors after recording 29 kills, one solo block and seven block assists across the weekend.
The Blue and Gold have also received significant contributions from a young setter in freshman Kenslie Warmbrodt. Through the opening seven matches of her collegiate career, Warmbrodt has already recorded three matches with at least 20 assists while consistently contributing from the service line. She posted a season–high 26 assists against Dartmouth on Friday and followed that with 22 assists and three service aces Sunday against the Big Green.
Senior libero Brenda Reynaga has provided another consistent presence for Canisius. She recorded 29 digs against Dartmouth on Friday before adding 21 more in Sunday’s rematch, continuing a strong start to her senior season.
Canisius also found opportunities to compete against UMBC on Saturday, particularly in the second set. After falling behind by five points early in the set, the Griffs used a 4–0 run to cut the deficit to one at 14–13. They remained within striking distance late in the frame before UMBC ultimately secured the set.
While the Golden Griffins have yet to put a win in the column, their early schedule has provided valuable opportunities for a team that entered the season with a mix of returning experience and new faces. Each close set and momentum swing has given Canisius another chance to build chemistry and develop consistency.
The challenge now is turning those stretches of strong play into complete matches. With the nonconference season still underway, Canisius has time to build on what it has shown through the first seven matches. The Griffs have already demonstrated that they can respond to adversity, make adjustments and create momentum against their opponents.
The Blue and Gold have an opportunity to take their first win at the Flower City Volleyball Invite at St. John Fisher University on Sunday, Sept. 13 when they take on Syracuse.
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