In our 2025-26 season preview for Phillips Exeter, I wrote that the Big Red were "on the upswing."
It probably wasn't the hottest take. Entering last season, Exeter was coming off back-to-back Large School tournaments and what was then its highest win total under coach Sally Komarek.
But that Big Red core was still on the cusp of proving itself.
In the end, Exeter followed through and won the Large School championship in 2026, delivering the program's first title since 2000.
"I was really proud of our team for being able to learn from mistakes in the regular season, grow from it and address it to have our best hockey in the postseason, which is what you want," Komarek said. "You don't want to peak in December. To see the girls' resilience through adversity and how they came together in the Large School playoffs was something I felt they could be really proud of, to turn those lessons into accomplishments."
So, what will it take for the Big Red to take another step and build on last season's title this winter?
Zoomed-out view
Exeter boasted one of the NEPSAC's most talented cores last season with a super line of Vermont commit Maria Gray, Yale commit Paisley Meyer (Greenland, N.H.) and Northeastern commit Erin Sears (Cornwall, Vt.). You also had UConn commit Grace Riley on the back end and Connecticut College commit Eva Mai Whyte (Natick, Mass.) in net.
But the Big Red's road to a title wasn't easy. They completed a miraculous comeback over Middlesex in the quarterfinals, fell behind early to BB&N in the semis and faced stingy Choate in the finals.
Komarek learned a lot about her group and its returners.
GIRLS PREP PREVIEWS: Taft |Â Loomis Chaffee | Groton | Phillips Andover | Brooks
"One thing that was really apparent in our postseason was just how big of a buy-in we had," Komarek said. "We kept a sense of poise and avoided the panic."
All of the above players, save for Meyer and Sears, graduated, leaving the Big Red with big shoes to fill.
The last few years
Exeter has been a staple in the NEPSAC playoff picture over the last three seasons, reaching three consecutive Large School tournaments after a 14-year playoff drought.
The Big Red's quarterfinal win over Middlesex was the program's first playoff win in at least 16 years, and its 19-7-2 record was its best mark since going 18-7-1 in 2008-09. Exeter has finished .500 or better in four straight seasons.
The coach
Komarek is entering her ninth season leading the Big Red. She was previously an assistant coach at Northfield Mount Hermon for three seasons after wrapping up a four-year Division 1 playing career at Dartmouth in 2013.
Since taking over Exeter in 2018, Komarek's Big Red have steadily improved in almost every season, culminating in last year's title run. She has helped produce Division 1 prospects like Maria Gray (Vermont), Meyer and Sears, as well as Division 3 prospects like Mia Griffith (Trinity), Charlotte Wright (Bowdoin) and Samantha Crowley (Wilmington, Mass.; Endicott).
Who will the stars be?
Expect Meyer and Sears to be among the best forwards in prep again.
Meyer was second in overall scoring with 56 points in 27 games, and her 28 goals led prep. Sears was up there as well with 37 points in 26 games. Her 28 assists were tied for the fourth-most in prep with Meyer and Gray.
That top trio formed perhaps the most dangerous unit in New England.
MAKING THE JUMP: Former girls prep stars on going from prep to college hockey
With Gray off to the collegiate ranks, will Exeter keep Meyer and Sears together for their senior seasons or split them up?
"My inclination is to give them the opportunity to play together for a fourth year," Komarek said. "The chemistry has just built so dramatically over each season."
Who takes the open spot on the top line remains to be seen, but Exeter has options, whether Sears and Meyer are together or not.
"We're also willing to split them up if it helps the team the best," Komarek said. "They both can be such a force individually, so that will force other teams to make decisions if they're going out at two separate times. We always have that option."
Newcomers
One incoming forward who could contribute is freshman Ani Andersen (Charlestown, Mass.). The former Winsor School forward is a standout with Assabet Valley's 16U squad.
"She has the level of intensity and high-end skill set to really be a force at the prep level," Komarek said. "She in a lot of ways reminds me of Erin Sears, a player who can be a power forward and a real nuisance on the forecheck. A loud, in-your-face, aggressive, fast player but also has the high-end skill set to really do some damage."
BOYS PREP PREVIEWS: Brunswick | Winchendon | Cushing | Salisbury | Kimball Union | Hotchkiss | Williston | Taft | Holderness | Phillips Exeter | Dexter Southfield | St. Paul's
Junior goalie Jayna Bowen arrives from Florida. The '09 had a .920 save percentage in 52 games with the 16U Gulf Coast Flames last season.
On the back end, 5-foot-9 freshman Ava Lacey (Keene, N.H.) and junior '10 Alex Wu could provide boosts, too.
Breakout candidates
Two skaters that could have a shot at the top line are junior Dominique Reiher and sophomore Riley Choi.
Reiher posted 13 points (six goals) in 22 games as a sophomore following eight as a freshman. After missing the first month of last season, the shifty, powerful forward returned with nine points in her first eight games.
Choi, meanwhile, made a strong impression as a freshman with 12 points (six goals). She was a key secondary producer behind the top line.
"They both came in as true ninth-graders, so they've really been working to increase their strength, stamina and physical edge, which is such a huge element to prep hockey when you're going against plenty of 19-year-olds," Komarek said.
Exeter could give either Choi or Reiher a look on the top line. Or the two could be better together on their own line.
"Both of them have so many strengths and opportunities, so it's always the question of who fits in with Erin and Paisley, but also how can we cultivate the next generation of Exeter hockey?" Komarek said. "Dominique and Riley got a taste of what it's like to play together, and can we create some magical chemistry with them?"
Junior Clara Cary (Danvers, Mass.) is another option in the top six. She racked up 15 points over the last two seasons.
In net, senior Lily Sabol could step up in tandem with Bowen. The former had an .878 save percentage behind Whyte last season.
"We don't anticipate any individual playing 80 percent or more of the games," Komarek said. "(Sabol and Bowen) are both very athletic goalies with good size, and we're excited to tap into their skill sets and give them opportunities."
NEGHL SHOWCASE: 11 standout 19Us | 13 standout 16Us
Exeter also added Melissa Pacific to the coaching staff. The former Ohio State goalie coached the Big Red before Komarek, and she could be a big resource for the goaltenders this season.
Exeter boasts plenty of experience on the back end, even after graduating Riley and Mia Griffith, but there are plenty of opportunities for returners to step up.
Seniors Crowley and Olivia Lee will be key alongside juniors Eliot McCarthy (Somerville, Mass.) and Camryn Wild, as well as sophomore Claudia Navrat (Cumberland, Maine). Wild and Navrat are the top returning producers on the back end, each posting six points last winter.
"This year is a combination of so much returning experience but also some new opportunities for folks to step into new roles, whether that's special teams or 5-on-5," Komarek said. "It's going to be kind of like our forwards, playing around with combinations and giving folks opportunities."
The ceiling
Exeter is eager to break into the Elite 8 tier. The Big Red certainly have the stars to do it.
The key will be how the supporting cast rounds out. A big stable of returners, plus key newcomers, should raise the depth.
"The next step for us is to be a very competitive team, a top-10 team in NEPSAC hockey," Komarek said. "As a program, we're hungry to move beyond the Large School. We're hungry to see if we can make an Elite 8 push. I think we certainly have the tools this year in our lineup."
