The Hilliard Darby girls volleyball program introduced its 2026 roster Aug. 17, posting team photos on social media ahead of the Panthers' season opener Aug. 18 at home against Reynoldsburg.
The reveal, shared by the program's official account on X and retweeted by assistant director of athletics Colin Seely, gave fans their first look at the full squad after months of offseason buildup. The program announced the additions of Abi Stevens and Bryn Whitmer in an April 24 post, giving fans an early look at roster changes for the fall.
The Panthers carry momentum from a 2025 season that included a headline-grabbing outdoor match against rival Hilliard Bradley inside Panther Stadium. Press Pros Magazine described it as the first regular-season girls volleyball match played outdoors in Central Ohio, with Darby rallying to win before a boisterous crowd.
Players will also debut in an upgraded home environment this fall. The Hilliard Darby Athletic Boosters unveiled a four-projector Court Projection System in the gymnasium on Aug. 16, which the Boosters say is among the first of its kind in a Central Ohio high school.
The slate is packed.
The roster reveal followed Darby's all-sports Panther Preview '26 event on Aug. 12, which showcased every program for grades 7-12 at the athletic complex. Monday's post narrowed the spotlight to volleyball alone.
Here's the early schedule, according to MaxPreps:
- Tuesday, Aug. 18 — Reynoldsburg at Hilliard Darby, 6:45 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 20 — Dublin Coffman at Hilliard Darby, 6:45 p.m.
- Monday, Aug. 24 — Hilliard Darby at Hilliard Bradley, 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 25 — Westerville North at Hilliard Darby, 7 p.m.
The crosstown trip to Bradley on Aug. 24 marks the first meeting between the rivals since last year's outdoor thriller.
