As September winds down, just a few precious weeks remain in the volleyball season. The Two Harbors Agates are making the most of it, recently marking senior night with a hard-fought victory over Carlton/ Wrenshall on Thursday, September 18.
The team carried momentum into the match after bringing home the championship trophy from the Duluth Marshall Tournament earlier this month, their second consecutive title with the event.
The Raptors pushed the Agates to their limits. After Two Harbors claimed the first two sets, Carlton/ Wrenshall answered back to tie it up. The deciding set turned into a nail-biter, with the Agates edging out the win 18-16.
Head Coach Ashley Paulson posted, “What.A.Match. Congratulations to our Varsity girls for putting up a big fight filled with looooong rallies.”
She praised their “immense effort,” reminding the team that they never let a single play drag them down.
“Which is exactly how the game is supposed to be played – with a short memory and play by play, only focusing on this point and the next, not on what happened in the past,” she posted. “I am so proud of how the girls supported each other, stayed positive, and never gave up. Everyone had a role to play and contributed to this win, and they meshed together as one.”
The night was especially meaningful, as seven seniors were recognized for their years of dedication, capping the celebration with a thrilling win.
Among the seniors honored, Belle Bolle’ reflected on her volleyball journey, which began back in 7th grade. She shared that one of her best memories was winning a set during her junior year when the team advanced to the semifinals against Rush City. Her advice, printed in the evening’s program, was simple and heartfelt: “Be yourself, be kind to everyone, and have fun!”
Bolle’ plans to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities to study Medical Lab Sciences. She expressed deep appreciation for her mom, thanking her for “Supporting her in everything,” as well as her coaches for “everything they have done for her.”
Fellow senior Kelsy Carlson echoed the gratitude, thanking her coaches across multiple sports and extending a special thank you to everyone who has shown up to cheer her and her teammates on. Carlson, who first joined volleyball as a freshman, fondly recalled the fun she had on team bus rides.
Her words of advice emphasized resilience: “Don’t let past mistakes dictate who you are or how you play. Everyone makes them. How you overcome them is what matters in building your character.” Carlson has her sights set on Bemidji State University, where she hopes to major in exercise science and minor in psychology.
For Brooklyn Nelson, one of her most memorable moments came off the court — sneaking a midnight Domino’s run, making posters in the locker room, and trying to leave school without setting off the alarm. Her advice to younger players reflects the importance of enjoying experiences like these: “Form friendships and be grateful for everything you’ve been able to experience. Most importantly, enjoy the time you have with the program. It truly flies by.”
Brooklyn is still exploring her college options but plans to pursue a double major in psychology and cognitive science with the goal of working in Sport and Performance Psychology. She thanked all the coaches she’s had throughout her career and her parents for every ride to practice or the games, all the sports fees, and all the support over the years.
Her sister, Delaney Nelson, also gave thanks to her parents and coaches for encouraging her to be “the best human and athlete” possible. Her standout memory was playing in the semifinals at Hermantown alongside her best friends.
Delaney’s advice was clear and powerful: “Never take it for granted and always play with heart and character.” She plans to continue athletics in college by running track & field while pursuing a degree in exercise science. Both Nelson sisters have been playing volleyball since 7th grade.
Chloe Nesgoda, who joined the sport as a freshman, urged younger players to keep their efforts steady: “Try your best, and you will succeed.” Like many of her teammates, one of her favorite memories was competing in the semifinals. She expressed gratitude to her parents, teachers, and coaches for their support and intends to pursue a nursing degree.
Starting her volleyball career in 3rd grade, Emily Ojard was already competing at both the JV and varsity levels by 8th grade. One of her most cherished memories was her very first volleyball tournament in Moose Lake, which she played with her best friend Eden.
Her advice was lighthearted yet meaningful: “Don’t take it too seriously, have fun, and enjoy every moment because time goes by way faster than you think.” Ojard will be taking a gap year to work and travel before attending Lake Superior College. She credits her parents for consistently encouraging her to work hard while also having fun.
Encouraged by her friend Alaina Melander, Savannah Swanson joined the team for the first time as a senior. “It’s been a lot of fun — I wish I had started sooner,” she said, thanking her family and friends for their support. Swanson, who plans to attend school for cosmetology, shared her advice with underclassmen: “do not let yourself be defined by the standards of the world.”
At the end of the evening, Head Coach Ashley Paulson offered her own words of appreciation to the senior class in a Facebook post.
“It has been an honor watching you grow as athletes and young women,” she said. “Your friendship with each other really shined through and showed an unbreakable bond that goes beyond the court.”
As the season winds down, the underclassmen will carry forward the lessons learned from this senior class, not just in how to play, but in how to show up for each other. Their hard work, humor, and heart have left a mark that goes beyond the scoreboard. To the seniors: thank you for the memories, the leadership, and the late-night pizza runs. Wishing you all the best as you head into what’s next.
