By Riley Homan (Class of 2029)
Edited by Mr. Zane Harding (Journalism Advisor)
Stats courtesy of Delaney McCarthy (Class of 2027)
Through twelve matches, the Onekama volleyball team stands at 11-7, with numerous five-game matches, close games, and streaks along the way.
The girls opened the season with a home win against 2025 D4 champions Fowler, winning three out of the five sets (25-21, 24-26, 15-25, 25-23, and 15-11). They followed their big opening win with a decisive victory against Central Montcalm, winning both sets (25-21 and 25-7). After starting 2-0, the girls would lose their next match against Crystal Falls Forest Park, only winning their first of three sets (25-23, 14-25, 5-15), but came back with a win against Grayling (25-19, 25-19).
Following their 3-1 start, the team went through a five-match losing streak, playing some of the division’s top units in Kingsley (23-25, 13-25) and Saginaw Valley Lutheran (18-25, 11-25), as well as Traverse City St. Francis (19-25, 14-25) and Manton (23-25, 15-25). This Tuesday’s contests against LeRoy Pine River (25-17, 25-22) and Muskegon Catholic Central (25-19, 25-18) broke the cold stretch, showing the confidence the girls have in each other. Then, this past Thursday, the girls suffered a very close loss to Glen Lake (25-13, 24-26, 26-28, 25-18, 13-15), losing three sets by just two points.
This past weekend the Onekama Volleyball team competed in the Onekama Invitational winning first place and going undefeated in the tournament. The Portagers saw excellent results from their key returnees and new players, with senior Delaney McCarthy leading the team in Kills while also contributing a healthy amount of Digs. Senior Elizabeth McKeough also lit up the stat sheet, padding her school record in Assists and adding numerous Aces, while senior libero Ava Mauntler led the team in Digs. Sophomore Lynesa Jados, new to Onekama’s squad, has also contributed significant Kill totals, and junior Holly Brindle continues to increasingly provide Digs and Aces for the team. Junior Ava Blossingham continued impressing with her defensive development, leading the team with Blocks, and sophomore Hannah Johnson also contributed Digs.
The Portagers faced some tough losses to the starting lineup this season, losing last year's senior captain and one of two team Kills leaders last season in Hailey Hart, and key senior starters in Carley Guerne and Aleah Blackmore. Despite these losses, the Portagers have kept key pieces of their roster, including senior Delaney McCarthy (soon-to-be all-time Kills leader and entering the year as team Blocks leader), senior Elizabeth McKeough (all-time program Assists leader entering the season with over 2000 career assists), and senior Ava Mauntler (all-time program Digs leader entering with near 2000 Digs). The Portagers have also gained key arrivals and promotions to the teams in Lynesa Jados (second on the team in Kills since joining); juniors Abby Sell and Ava Blossingham (both contributing many Blocks since gaining more Varsity minutes), exchange sophomore Martina Elosegul Saavedra (Aces leader against Glen Lake); and sophomore Hannah Johnson and junior Holly Brindle (increasingly growing in Digs).
The team will continue their campaign, looking to move to 12-7 on the road against Suttons beginning at 5:30 PM.