Written by Jack Hart | ILSportsWire
The Pawnee Indians volleyball program enters the 2026 season with a new head coach, a strong group of returning players and plenty of excitement surrounding the program.
First-year head coach Sarah Bingenheimer has quickly established her expectations for the team, emphasizing a positive attitude and a high level of effort every day.
So far, the players have responded.
Senior captain Ashlyne Cobb said preseason has gone extremely well as the team adjusts to Bingenheimer’s coaching style and builds chemistry as a new group.
Cobb and fellow senior captain Lily Skogsberg are expected to provide important leadership after both gaining varsity experience since their sophomore seasons.
Junior Jada Johnson has also stepped into a bigger role as the team’s setter, giving Pawnee another important leader on the court.
Bingenheimer said Cobb will play an all-around role for the Indians, while Skogsberg provides consistency and versatility.
For Adelai Otamako, one of the biggest strengths of this year’s team is its connection.
Otamako said the players are familiar with one another, enjoy being around each other and have built a strong friendship away from the court. She believes that chemistry can translate into success during the season.
The new coach has also brought a fresh energy to the program.
Skogsberg described Bingenheimer as a coach with a noticeable fire and strong knowledge of the game, while Otamako praised her ability to remain kind and mature while knowing when it’s time for the team to lock in.
Bingenheimer said the team has been open-minded throughout the transition, embracing new drills, skills and information during the preseason.
With the first game approaching, Pawnee has been focused on developing solid rotations and learning how to play together as a unit.
High Expectations
The Indians aren’t hiding their goals.
Cobb said she would love to see Pawnee win the conference and finish the season with a winning record.
Skogsberg has even bigger aspirations, pointing toward a deep postseason run and believing this group has an opportunity to take Pawnee farther than it has been in recent years.
Bingenheimer said the team would love to finish near the top of the conference, but the focus remains on taking things one day and one game at a time.
The Indians will also have several rivalry games to look forward to, with Auburn and Edinburg standing out as matchups the players are especially excited about.
Building the Program
The players and coaches also emphasized the importance of the Pawnee community supporting the program.
Cobb, Skogsberg and Otamako all encouraged fans to attend games, get loud and support not only the varsity team but the younger players coming through the program.
Skogsberg said simply showing up can make a major difference in helping continue to grow volleyball in Pawnee.
Bingenheimer echoed that message, encouraging the community to come out for the first home game and continue supporting the Indians throughout the season.
With a new coach, experienced senior leadership and a team that believes its chemistry can be a major strength, Pawnee enters 2026 ready to embrace a new chapter.
The expectations are high.
The work has started.
Now, the Indians are ready to see what they can accomplish together.
