Frontier Looks To Build On Experience, Year-Round Work

Overview

• Coach Dave Burgstahler said Frontier returns five starters after a rebuilding season and wants the team to improve its overall record while chasing a Section VI title.
• Briauna Ochs enters her fourth year as Frontier's starting setter, and Burgstahler said she is approaching 1,500 career assists.
• Brynn Leyh is a primary point scorer to watch, while Erika Shickling is a returning player Burgstahler expects to take a significant step forward.
• Ava Lavelle, Leyh and Ochs were named captains, with Lavelle hoping to return from injury before the season ends.
• Frontier's schedule includes September road matches at Lancaster, Orchard Park and Williamsville North before a home-heavy October stretch.

Frontier Leans On A More Experienced Group

Frontier enters the 2026 girls volleyball season with more experience than it had a year ago, and coach Dave Burgstahler sees that as the starting point.

Burgstahler described last season as a rebuilding year and said five returning starters, joined by enthusiastic new players, give Frontier reason for optimism.

Burgstahler, who said he has coached for 26 years and is in his third year at Frontier, wants the team to improve its overall record from last season and compete for a Section VI title. He pointed to year-round club volleyball as one of the team's strengths.

The offense starts with senior setter Briauna Ochs, who enters her fourth year as Frontier's starting setter. Ochs had 390 assists, 85 kills, 36 digs, 16 aces and 12 blocks in 2025-26, and Burgstahler said she is approaching 1,500 career assists.

Brynn Leyh is another major piece for Frontier. Burgstahler identified Leyh as the team's primary point scorer to watch, and she is one of the captains.

Erika Shickling is a returning player Burgstahler believes could take a significant step forward, while Reagan Wawrzyniec is a player he expects to become an important contributor and help defensively. Ava Lavelle, another captain, is dealing with an injury and hoping to return before the end of the season.

Passing And Defense Set The Target

Burgstahler's identity for this team is direct: consistent passing, tenacious defense and a group that keeps pushing for the win. He also named serve receive and defensive positioning as the areas Frontier most needs to develop as the season progresses.

Frontier opens at home against Fredonia on Sept. 1 and Williamsville South on Sept. 2. It is scheduled to visit Lancaster on Sept. 15, play Grand Island on Sept. 19, then travel to Orchard Park on Sept. 23 and Williamsville North on Sept. 25.

October brings home matches against Hamburg, Clarence, Lancaster, Orchard Park and West Seneca West, along with trips to Maryvale and Saint Mary's of Lancaster.

Fans can watch Frontier through the Frontier YouTube channel, which Burgstahler said is streamed through Hudl.