Maple Grove Enters 2026 With Versatile Attack, Defensive Ambition

Overview

• Maple Grove went 14-5 in 2025-26 under coach Ardelle Rambacher.
• Rambacher said Zoey Foley returns after leading the team in kills along with middle hitter Meg Ryan.
• Ariyah Brown and Hailey Ullman are expected to help lead the defense, while Savannah Rambacher steps in to run the offense.
• Kendall Danielson, Zoey Foley and Annie Steffen are the team's captains.
• Lucy Castro is an incoming pin hitter and, according to Rambacher, the first Maple Grove player to make a national club team.

Maple Grove Girls Volleyball 2026-27 Preseason Preview

Maple Grove enters the 2026 girls volleyball season with a compact roster, several attacking options and a group aiming for a sectional title game.

Coach Ardelle Rambacher has been with the program for five years and has coached volleyball for 23 years across different districts. Maple Grove went 14-5 in 2025-26, and Rambacher said the 2026 group has been playing together since middle school.

"We have a very promising group of student athletes that have been working together since their middle school days," Rambacher said.

Balance Around The Net

Rambacher pointed first to Zoey Foley, who returns as an all-rotation player and one of Maple Grove's key attackers. She said Foley led the team in kills along with middle hitter Meg Ryan, who is also the returning player Rambacher named as most likely to take a significant step forward.

"Zoey Foley comes back for her senior year," Rambacher said. "She plays all rotations and my strongest player."

The attack could have more than one answer. Rambacher said Maple Grove has "many threats that can hit from the pins" and wants a group capable of adjusting when one option is not at full strength on a given night.

Defense And Direction

Maple Grove's defense will be led by Ariyah Brown and Hailey Ullman, according to Rambacher, while Savannah Rambacher is stepping in to run the offense.

Rambacher said Savannah is excited to lead the offense in her first year in the role.

"She is a strong vocal leader on the court," the coach said.

Rambacher said Maple Grove wants to be known as a defensive team in addition to its hitting.

"I want to be known as a Defensive team not just for our strong hitting," Rambacher said. "I think we can be both."

Kendall Danielson, Foley and Annie Steffen are the team's captains. Rambacher said each brings something different to the leadership group.

Lucy Castro is another player to watch as an incoming pin hitter. Rambacher also said Castro became the first Maple Grove player to make a national club team.

Schedule Landmarks

Maple Grove is scheduled to open Sept. 1 at Clymer before home dates with Cassadaga Valley and Clymer. The September schedule also includes trips to Panama, Chautauqua Lake and Brocton, plus home matches against Westfield, Silver Creek and Panama. The October stretch includes Cassadaga Valley, Chautauqua Lake, Westfield, Brocton and Silver Creek.

Fans can watch through Maple Grove Volleyball's YouTube account and follow the program on social media at Maple Grove Volleyball.