By Jack Hart | ILSportsWire
The Rochester Rockets enter the 2026 volleyball season with high expectations, plenty of experience, and one clear goal in mind: getting to state.
After making a deep postseason run a year ago before falling to Columbia in the Super-Sectional, Rochester returns a strong core that believes last season’s disappointment can fuel an even bigger run this fall.
Head coach Kallie Green said the Rockets have already built confidence through a successful summer of leagues and tournaments.
“We’ve had a really good, successful summer season,” Green said. “We had a lot of commitment from all our players. We had a good time and usually found ourselves winning quite a few games.”
That experience has helped set the tone heading into the regular season.
A Team With a Target
Rochester knows the target is different this year.
Last season, the Rockets embraced the role of an underdog. This year, teams know exactly what Rochester brings to the court.
Senior Cami Tinder said that added attention isn’t something the Rockets are shying away from.
“Everyone knows our name,” Tinder said. “We want to live up to the expectation of being that good.”
The Rockets’ expectations are straightforward. They want to win their conference, make another deep postseason run and, ultimately, get past the Super-Sectional.
Green said the experience of being one game away from state last season gives this year’s team an important foundation.
“We were one game away from state,” Green said. “We’re kind of using it as just a foundation, a stepping stone.”
Senior Sam Kerley believes the pressure surrounding Rochester can actually make the team better.
“I think that it gives us a fire,” Kerley said. “The pressure makes us play better.”
Experience and Depth
One of Rochester’s biggest strengths this season is the amount of returning experience.
The Rockets have a senior-heavy group, with Green pointing to the leadership and commitment of a class that has helped build the program over several years.
Among the players expected to play major roles are Cami Berberet, Cami Tinder, Liv Kratochvil, Sam Kerley and Peyton Zeidler.
Zeidler brings athleticism from the track season into volleyball, while also providing energy and leadership on the court.
“We want to be in the Super-Sectional. We will be at state,” Zeidler said. “That is what we’ve said from day one.”
Zeidler also highlighted the depth Rochester has throughout the roster, pointing to players who can step into different roles and keep the team moving forward.
Tinder, who plays setter, will be tasked with helping create opportunities for Rochester’s hitters while keeping the offense balanced.
“I’m trying to get the best connections with all my hitters,” Tinder said. “I’m just trying to divide it equally for everyone to get the ball and to win.”
That depth also provides confidence when things don’t go according to plan.
Kerley said knowing teammates are ready to step in takes some of the pressure off individual players.
“You know that even if you make a mistake, your other players are going to be able to back you up,” Kerley said.
Big Games on the Schedule
Rochester will have plenty of opportunities to test itself throughout the season.
The Rockets are especially looking forward to matchups against some of the top competition in the area, including Chatham and UHigh.
For Kratochvil, the Chatham matchup stands out after Rochester’s previous meeting with the team.
“I think we want to come back and just beat their butt,” Kratochvil said.
Tinder and the Rockets are also eager for the challenge of playing UHigh, while Rochester’s rivalry with Williamsville remains another matchup to watch.
And early in the season, the Rockets will face Taylorville before taking on UHigh, giving the team an immediate opportunity to see where it stands.
Green’s Expectations
Green said the coaching staff continues to hold every player to a high standard, regardless of class or role.
That mentality has helped create the competitive culture Rochester has developed.
The goal isn’t simply to repeat what the Rockets accomplished last season. It’s to go further.
“We really got to make it count,” Green said of her senior-heavy group.
For Rochester, the message is clear: last year’s run isn’t the finish line. It’s the motivation.
The Rockets believe they have the talent, experience and depth to make another postseason push—and this time, they want to finish the job.
As the 2026 season gets underway, Rochester will have a community behind it every step of the way.
Green’s message to Rockets fans is simple: believe in this team, show up and enjoy the ride.
Because if the summer is any indication, Rochester Volleyball is ready for another special season.
