Margaretta volleyball enters 2026 season focused on fundamentals and mental toughness MARGARETTA — The Margaretta volleyball team enters the 2026 season with a young roster, several players stepping into larger roles and an emphasis on the fundamentals that coach Sarah Kuns believes will be critical to the Polar Bears' success. Margaretta finished 6-17 overall and 3-7 in Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division play last season. The Polar Bears will have to replace two all-league players in Kenadie Saylor and Lillian Belak, both of whom graduated following the 2025 season. Saylor earned second-team all-SBC honors after leading Margaretta with 238 kills while also recording 260 digs. Belak was an honorable mention selection after finishing with 158 kills and a team-high 327 digs. With that production gone, several returning players will be asked to take on expanded roles. Sophomore Renna Keller is the team's top returning hitter after recording 93 kills as a freshman. Junior Tarah Hershey returns to run the offense after totaling 371 assists last season, while Ella Limberios is back after leading the Polar Bears with 348 digs. Kuns believes the team's preparation during the summer and preseason has centered on developing the mental side of the game while continuing to sharpen the basic skills needed to compete consistently. That focus has already shown up during scrimmages and practice situations, where the Polar Bears have relied on their fundamentals to work through difficult stretches. Margaretta hopes that same composure and execution will carry over when the games count. The challenge will be maintaining that discipline throughout the season, particularly when matches become tight. Kuns has stressed that strong fundamentals cannot be something the team relies on only when things are going well. They must remain a priority throughout every match. With Keller, Hershey and Limberios leading the returning statistical production, Margaretta will look for additional players to emerge and help fill the void left by last year's all-league seniors. The Polar Bears' success could ultimately come down to their ability to stay composed, execute the basics and continue improving as a young team.