The 2025–2026 season of the Women’s Volleyball Bundesliga 1 has now come to an end for the VCW. Following their 1–3 loss in Suhl, the Wiesbaden team suffered a decisive 0–3 defeat at home in the playoff quarterfinal return match and had to acknowledge the superiority of VfB Suhl Lotto Thüringen. As expected, the quarterfinals were the end of the road for the VCW.
In the 0-3 loss (14-25, 21-25, and 13-25), interim coach Benedikt Frank’s team was unable to build on their performance from the first leg. But in front of their home fans, the VCW stood no chance this time—especially in the first and third sets. 1,158 spectators bid farewell to their VCW athletes as they headed into the off-season, while the Suhl team celebrated their advancement to the semifinals of the German Championship with their fans. At VCW, everyone is now taking a break before planning for the new season begins shortly, which will then kick off in the fall.

And once the season ends, it’s time to start planning for the next one: VCW, led by sports director Frank and general manager Fetting, is already laying the groundwork for the upcoming season. A new head coach has also been found. The new head coach at VCW will be Pauls Sens, the long-time assistant coach at SSC Schwerin. He has signed a three-year contract in Wiesbaden. In addition, several players are staying on board: Libero Rene Sain (28, Croatia), the two setters Sanne Konijnenberg (21, Netherlands) and Hanna Weinmann (19), as well as outside hitter Cayetana López Rey (20, Spain) have committed to the new season. A new and powerful team is now set to be built around these four. In addition, a spectacular return has been secured: middle blocker Rachel Gomez (USA), who left at the end of the 2024/2025 season after three years, will strengthen the VCW roster for the 2026/2027 season. 

• Outside hitter: Cayetana López Rey (Spain)
• Opposite:
• Middle blocker: Rachel Gomez (USA) 
• Setter: Sanne Konijnenberg (Netherlands), Hanna Weinmann (Germany)
• Libero: Rene Sain (Croatia)
• Coach: Pauls Sens 

The final matchday of the regular season in the Women’s 1st Volleyball Bundesliga was once again full of suspense: With the exception of the league-leading Allianz MTV Stuttgart and the ETV Hamburg Volksbank Volleys at the bottom of the table, the other nine positions were still up for grabs—a factor that would ultimately determine the seeding for the playoffs for the German championship. The VCW wanted to secure its spot with a win in Hamburg. And they did so impressively, as the VCW ultimately won decisively 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-14). Now the action continues in the playoffs. 

After their success and breakthrough in Münster, VCW now faces a doubleheader against two top teams: On Wednesday, VCW visited league leaders Allianz MTV Stuttgart and had no chance in a clear 0:3 (25:27, 17:25, 17:25), even though the team led by interim coach was able to keep up in the first set, which ended 25:27. After that, the league leaders clearly demonstrated their superiority and it was 0:3 relatively quickly, with VCW having to make the journey home without winning a single point or set.

In addition to the VCW, the following teams will be in the Bundesliga 1 in the 2025/26 season: Ladies in Black Aachen, Skurios Volleys Borken (promoted), Dresdner SC, Schwarz-Weiß Erfurt, Binder Blaubären TSV Flacht (promoted), SC Potsdam (withdrawn from the league), VfB Suhl LOTTO Thüringen, USC Münster, Allianz MTV Stuttgart, SSC Palmberg Schwerin and ETV Hamburger Volksbank Volleys (promoted). Potsdam returned its license during the summer.