Orchard Park Enters 2026 With Returning Leadership And Emerging Contributors

Overview

• Katie Fabbro is entering her third season as Orchard Park head coach after the program went 14-2 in 2025-26.
• Alyssa Kuntz, Ava Marusza and Hannah Johnson are Orchard Park's tricaptains entering the 2026 season.
• Fabbro identified Ava Marusza as a returning player who could take a significant step forward, Kaylee Fabbro as a player poised for a larger role, Samantha Przystal as a primary point scorer and Alyssa Kuntz as a defensive presence.
• Orchard Park opens with home matches against Lancaster on Sept. 9 and Portville on Sept. 11, followed by Williamsville South on Sept. 14.

Katie Fabbro's third season leading Orchard Park begins with a mix of senior leadership and several players the coach expects WNY volleyball fans to track closely.

Fabbro pointed to Alyssa Kuntz, Ava Marusza and Hannah Johnson as Orchard Park's tricaptains, giving the group a leadership core as the season opens. She also highlighted Brenna Bizub as a senior who can make an impact in practices, on the bench and when she is in the match.

The coach's player watch list gives Orchard Park a few clear storylines entering the fall. Marusza, a setter in the Class of 2027, was identified as the returning player most likely to take a significant step forward. Kaylee Fabbro, an outside hitter in the Class of 2030, returns with varsity experience and could take on a larger role. Samantha Przystal, an outside hitter in the Class of 2028, is a player to watch as a point scorer, while Kuntz, a Class of 2027 libero, gives Orchard Park a defensive player the coach sees as capable of changing a rotation.

Fabbro emphasizes positional versatility after playing middle in high school and becoming a starting outside hitter at the University of New Haven.

"This taught me as a coach the importance of teaching your athletes more than 1 position on the court," Fabbro said. "Its important that everyone can set, dig, hit, etc..."

Orchard Park went 14-2 in 2025-26. The 2026 schedule opens with home matches against Lancaster on Sept. 9, Portville on Sept. 11 and Williamsville South on Sept. 14. Road dates follow at Williamsville North on Sept. 15 and Hamburg on Sept. 21. The October slate includes a visit to Eden on Oct. 2 and rematches at Lancaster on Oct. 6 and at home against Williamsville North on Oct. 8.