The Cashmere High School volleyball team enters the 2026 season with high expectations and one clear goal: win a state championship.
The Bulldogs return an outstanding senior class that has helped establish Cashmere as one of the top 1A volleyball programs in the state. Over the past two seasons, Cashmere has compiled a remarkable 43-7 record, including a 22-3 mark last season when the Bulldogs went undefeated in conference play and finished third at the 1A State Tournament.
The 2025 season included one of the most memorable matches in recent program history, as Cashmere pushed the six-time defending state champion Chelan Goats to five sets in the 1A state semifinal. Chelan ultimately prevailed, but the Bulldogs’ performance made it clear that Cashmere is capable of competing with the very best in the state.
The Bulldogs finished fifth at state two years ago, in 2024, with a 21-4 record. Since joining the South Central Athletic Conference (SCAC) in the fall of 2024, Cashmere has been unbeatable in league play, entering the 2026 season with a 32-0 all-time SCAC record.
Leading the way for the Bulldogs this season is senior outside hitter/right-side Macie Smart, a two-time returning SCAC Player of the Year. Smart earned All-State 1A Tournament Team recognition as well as First Team All-State honors last season. She recorded her 1,000th career kill during the final game of the 2025 regular season and finished the year with an incredible 447 kills. The left-handed hitter also served at a 90% rate with 57 aces and added 194 digs. Smart has already committed to continue her volleyball career at Western Washington University following her senior season.
Senior setter Cali Diaz also returns after an outstanding junior campaign. Diaz earned First Team All-SCAC and First Team All-State honors last season while averaging 9.17 assists per set and totaling 863 assists. She also contributed 175 digs, 66 aces, 64 kills and 22 blocks. Diaz, who is being recruited by several colleges, remains undecided on where she will continue her volleyball career after graduation.
Senior libero Mandy Barba returns to anchor the Bulldogs’ defense. Barba was a Second Team All-SCAC selection and earned All-State 1A Tournament Team honors last season. She led Cashmere with 231 digs while also recording 77 assists and 27 aces. Barba served at an 83.5% rate and will continue her volleyball career at Seattle Pacific University next fall.
Senior outside hitter Taylor Kunz brings tremendous athleticism and energy to the lineup. Kunz earned First Team All-SCAC and First Team All-State honors following an outstanding junior season. She led the Bulldogs with a remarkable 94.4% serving percentage, recording 38 aces. She also contributed 138 kills and 205 digs. Kunz recently committed to Central Washington University to compete in track and field.
Senior Faith Courtney was a dominant presence for the Bulldogs last season, particularly during the state tournament, where she played some of her best volleyball of the year. Courtney’s versatility allows her to contribute at middle hitter, right side and outside hitter. Last season, she recorded an 85.5% serving percentage with 19 aces, 171 kills and 26 blocks. Courtney has also attracted recruiting interest and remains undecided about where she will play collegiately.
The Bulldogs return another senior starter in Teagan Kerns, who contributes at both outside hitter and right side. Kerns served at a 93% rate last season and recorded an impressive 55 aces, along with 110 kills.
With six returning seniors who have extensive varsity experience, the Bulldogs will look to fill one remaining starting position at middle hitter. Sophomore Kianna Baty earned the opportunity to compete for that role after an impressive performance during Cashmere’s summer tournament at Central Washington University.
Baty made the varsity roster late last season as a freshman and made the most of her opportunities, serving at a perfect 100% while recording three aces.
Rounding out the Bulldogs’ varsity roster are sophomores Lydia Tate and Harper Nelson, along with juniors Lola Rieke, Ilsa Dronen and Ryann Peterson.
Cashmere will receive an early-season test when the Bulldogs return to the Sundome Festival on September 11. The 32-team tournament will provide Cashmere with an opportunity to compete against some of the top programs in the 1A classification and defend its championship from last season.
The Bulldogs have also scheduled two highly anticipated non-league matches later in the season. Cashmere will host Chelan on Thursday, October 8, in a rematch with the team that defeated the Bulldogs three times last season on its way to a sixth consecutive state championship.
On Friday, October 16, Cashmere will host Lynden Christian, another team the Bulldogs are familiar with from last year’s state tournament. Cashmere defeated Lynden Christian in five sets in the 2025 1A State Tournament quarterfinals.
For head coach Katie Broadbent, who enters her sixth season leading the Bulldogs, this senior class represents something special.
“This is a very special group. This year’s seniors have been playing volleyball together for years and have developed one of the best team chemistries I have ever been a part of. They have shared one dream of growing into a championship team and put in the work to get there. I am honored to be a part of their journey and I can’t wait to see all their hard work pay off.”
The Bulldogs open their 2026 campaign on Thursday, September 3rd when they host the Wapato Wolves.
