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Sunday, November 10, 2024
HomeSportHigh SchoolShifting Dynamics: Young Silver Bay Volleyball Team Grows Together

Shifting Dynamics: Young Silver Bay Volleyball Team Grows Together

Though there was a slow start to the sea­son, the Silver Bay volleyball team has begun to find their rhythm after three big wins in a row. When battling against Northeast Range and Cook County they forced both teams into five sets and took the W each time. Playing McGregor at an away game on September 26th, they took it in three.

“We have been tweaking things as we go throughout the beginning of the season,” said Tracy Blood, the Mariner’s head coach. “Shifting and re-shifting to find the right mix of six on the floor.”

Amongst that shift­ing, Valerie Melander has been playing the outside hitting posi­tion and has been a go-to for consistency in front row attacking from the service line. According to the ju­nior captain’s coach, Valerie “has really stepped up and shown her versatility as an all-around player.”

Another junior cap­tain, Madison Oll­man, is filling in the libero role. “She has great tenacity in the back row for passing and attacking,” said Blood.

Last season’s Polar League All Star play­er Eveyln Viney, who also was part of the national champion­ship win with the MN North Volleyball Club team over the sum­mer, moved from the libero position into the role of the primary setter.

“Ev has great vol­leyball IQ as she has a deep passion for the sport,” said Blood. “Ev has exceeded ex­pectations in this new role up to the mid-point of the 2024 sea­son.”

The team is a young one and is building it­self back up after los­ing five seniors last year. Currently, the varsity team consists of one senior, three juniors, four sopho­mores, and one fresh­man for their varsity squad.

Earlier in year, the Mariners bested Fond du Lac. They have fallen to Two Har­bors twice, Crom­well-Wright, Cook County twice in previ­ous games, Marshall, and Floodwood. In the Marshall High School Tournament earlier this season, Silver Bay took fourth place out of the five teams.

When McGregor visits on October 15th to attempt to avenge their loss, the Mari­ners will celebrate Se­nior Night, honoring varsity player Alexa Harrison and junior varsity player Emily Peterson in their final home game of the reg­ular season. Parents Night, another special occasion, will take place the week before on October 10th.

As the team contin­ues to build, Blood remains optimistic. “I am definitely looking forward to what the future seasons bring for this young group of athletes!” she said.

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