Springville Griffith Institute leans on senior-heavy core entering 2026 girls volleyball season

Overview

• Taylor Kaznowski enters her first season as Springville's varsity head coach after one year coaching in the program.
• The coach said Springville has the majority of its starters back, seven seniors on the roster and six returning seniors who played significant time last season.
• Grace Ricci is a key name to watch after a 2025-26 season with 64 kills, 43 digs, 13 aces and five blocks.
• Kaia Dearmyer also brings prior varsity production, including 35 kills in 2025-26 and 41 kills with 16 aces in 2024-25.
• Kaznowski expects to run a 6-2 with freshman Hailey Rola and senior Lily Becker; senior Lindsay Hunter will also see time at setter.

Springville Griffith Institute enters the 2026 girls volleyball season with a senior-heavy roster and a new varsity head coach in Taylor Kaznowski, who is in her second year coaching at Springville and her first leading the varsity program.

Springville finished 13-6 in 2025-26. Kaznowski said the foundation starts with experience.

"We have the majority of our starters back, and we have 7 seniors, so we are hoping to compete in all our games this year," Kaznowski said.

The coach also said Springville has six returning seniors who played significant roles last season, giving the group a leadership base before the first serve. Grace Ricci, a senior outside hitter, is one of the central returners after recording 64 kills, 43 digs, 13 aces and five blocks in 2025-26. Senior right side Kaia Dearmyer also brings a multi-year varsity line, with 35 kills in 2025-26 after posting 41 kills and 16 aces in 2024-25.

Kaznowski identified Ricci as a player who could take a significant step forward and said Ricci is a leader on and off the court. Aubrey Roy, a junior middle hitter, was named as a primary point-scoring option, while Brynn Beuler is expected to factor into the back row. Freshman Hailey Rola is an incoming player to watch.

Springville's setter picture is expected to include multiple options. Kaznowski said the team will most likely run a 6-2, with freshman Hailey Rola and senior Lily Becker joined by senior Lindsay Hunter as setters who can see time.

The next layer is serve receive. Kaznowski said Springville is still working to give its setters cleaner passes and create more chances for the middle hitters.

"I want our team to be known for our consistent serves and our great serve receive as the season goes on," Kaznowski said. "Also, all of our hitters being a threat not just one or two of them."

Springville opens at home against Gowanda on Sept. 2 and Pioneer on Sept. 3 before visiting Mount Mercy Academy on Sept. 8 and West Seneca East on Sept. 11. September also brings home matches against Catt-Little Valley, Ellicottville, Iroquois and Lake Shore. The schedule closes with an Oct. 20 trip to Iroquois and an Oct. 21 home match against East Aurora.

Kaznowski said the team's goals are to compete with every opponent, be good teammates and show strong sportsmanship regardless of the outcome.