Eden Returns Full Starting Lineup For 2026 Girls Volleyball Season

Overview

• Coach Johanna Funke said Eden returns its entire starting lineup, a group she described as two juniors and five sophomores.
• Ari Funke is back as the starting setter after directing the varsity offense the previous two seasons.
• Lexi Popovich is a pin to watch as a primary point scorer, while Gabby Koszelak gives Eden an important libero presence.
• Laurelin Giuntoli, Lexi Popovich and Raegan Waring are the captains, with Claire Fultz identified by Funke as a returning player who could take a step forward.
• Eden went 16-3 in 2025-26 and opens the 2026 schedule with early dates against JFK, Cleveland Hill, Tapestry and Gowanda.

Eden Brings Back A Connected Core

Eden enters the 2026 girls volleyball season with a young starting group that already has shared varsity and club experience.

Coach Johanna Funke said the full starting lineup returns, with two juniors and five sophomores forming the core. Several of those players, she said, have been on varsity together for two years and have played club volleyball together for three.

"I am extremely excited about this season," Funke said. "The starters have been playing on varsity together for 2 years (many started playing varsity as 8th graders) and on a club team together for 3 years. We have grown so much and would love to make a playoff run this season."

Eden went 16-3 in 2025-26. Funke, now in her fourth year as varsity coach with 23 years coaching in the Eden volleyball program, pointed to depth and versatility as this team's biggest strengths.

"We want to establish an identity as a team that is connected, competitive, and relentless," Funke said. "We want to be known for playing for one another, competing for every point, and bringing energy and confidence on the court."

Players To Watch

Ari Funke returns as Eden's starting setter after holding that role the previous two varsity seasons. Johanna Funke said she is looking for Ari to expand her leadership on the court and become more of an offensive threat.

Lexi Popovich is the pin Funke identified as a primary point scorer. Claire Fultz is the returning player Funke expects could take a significant step forward, and Gabby Koszelak is the libero she highlighted as a defender who can change the way Eden plays.

The captains are Laurelin Giuntoli, Popovich and Raegan Waring. Giuntoli is the lone senior on the roster, and Funke said she is "a great leader on and off the court" while working her way back from a knee injury last season.

Eden's stated goals are to keep developing, compete for league and sectional championships and put itself in position for a deep postseason run. Funke said that starts with four pillars: "come ready, work your hardest, be coachable, and invest in each other."

Schedule Landmarks

Eden's schedule begins Sept. 2 against JFK and continues Sept. 10 at Cleveland Hill. The early home stretch includes Tapestry on Sept. 14, Gowanda on Sept. 16, Clarence on Sept. 21 and Orchard Park on Oct. 2.

October also brings road tests at Hamburg, Tapestry and Lancaster before Eden closes the regular-season schedule with home matches against Alden, Holland and Portville. Home matches are scheduled to stream on Hudl.