Under first-year coach Jessie Karner, the Hopkinton High School girls volleyball team continued to shine in 2026 with 13 victories during the regular season and the Tri-Valley League Large School Division title.

“We came in and we set some process goals at the beginning of the season,” said Karner, a former Hillers assistant. “Of course we wanted to win the league title, everyone in the room wants to win and be in a position where we can say, ‘We won the big games,’ but we focused on process rather than the outcome.”

Karner said the results showed during the final two weeks of the season, during which Hopkinton played its best volleyball of the campaign. The Hillers clinched the division title with a win over Medfield in the final game of the year, and Karner said the second and third sets of that match were the best her team had played. Hopkinton earned the 21st seed in the Division 1 state tourney and suffered a 3-1 loss at 12th-seeded Natick in the first round.

Leading the way this fall was senior Evie Woodbury, a four-year varsity player who secured two huge career milestones: 750 kills and 100 aces.

“She has cemented herself as a part of Hopkinton volleyball history,” Karner said.

Emily Robichaud, another senior, also put together a strong season. Karner praised the entire senior class, which also includes Julia Chatten, Kaelyn Geremia, Tori Jackson, Sydney Stephen, Isla Clarke and Ada Monopoli.

“They have had such a tremendous impact and they have helped to mold and shape the culture,” Karner said. “They have seen a lot of change, but they have rolled with the punches.”

Stephen notched her 100th career ace this year and put together a strong overall campaign. Clarke played a big role as one of the Hillers’ three setters, replacing an all-state setter who graduated a season ago. Juniors Gabby Simulis and Eleanor Paquette were the other two setters this fall and moved into the role after playing defense last year.

“They saw a need and they worked hard to put themselves in a position to be good setters,” Karner said. “They had never done it before, but they built a camaraderie with our hitters that has translated into all aspects of our game.”

Karner said the transition to head coach was not a difficult one in part because she has been with the program and coached nearly every player on the roster before this fall.

“I am really lucky, there is no other team I would rather coach, the seniors worked so hard and the underclassmen have really believed,” the coach said. “At the end of the day, they love playing volleyball, and that’s the best thing I could ask for.”