The Lady Rays had a very significant game last night, they played against Community Schools of Naples. This was the first time this season that the Lady Rays have played against them. But more importantly, it was senior night, where we honored our beloved seniors on the team.
Before the game had even started, they had a senior night where all of the Rays Seniors (Madison Stolinas, Medney Gauraux, and Rylee Howard) walked across the gym with their loved ones as their favorite memories and future plans were announced across the gym. All seniors have played at Marco Island Academy for all of their 4 years with the same coach and most of the same players. The gym was emotional to say the least.
Madison Stolinas has been playing volleyball ever since she was little. In middle school she was a starter on the varsity team, proving herself as a key player. Throughout her 4 years of high school she has started on Varsity as a setter, every year learning something new. Stolinas has always been one to talk on the court, call plays and help make the plan follow through. Stolinas will be missed dearly by the rest of the team, and will always be remembered for her authenticity on and off the court.
Rylee Howard is a middle for Marco Island Academy and she is always putting in 100 percent whenever she is on the court. Howard is always making sure to give it her all and never stop working. Howard is the type of person that seems quiet but when you get to know her she will become one of your greatest friends. On the court, Howard is always laughing and building the team up when they seem down.
Medney Garraux started playing volleyball only in middle school but through her years on top of years of hard work she has evolved into a key player on the court. Garraux is always one to bring energy to the court and is always hyping people up whenever they do something great. Garraux is definitely one of the team’s biggest cheerleaders and is always ready to help another player get better giving out the right advice at the right times.
But once the whistle had blown for warm ups to start, the Rays knew that they had to dry up their tears, pull it together, and focus on the game. The Lady Ray’s put in all of their energy and momentum that they had built up onto the court.
The final score from the 3 sets that they had played were 25 – 21, 25 – 19, and 25 -14. By the end of the game, The Lady Rays were led by Medney Garraux with 10 kills, 10 digs, 3 blocks and 1 ace. Madison Stolinas with 43 assists and 9 digs. Rylee Howard with 8 kills 1 assist 1 ace and 2 blocks. Gullianna Batilili with 12 kills and 6 digs. Kolbie Bernhardt with 3 kills and 2 blocks and Sophia Ogden with 17 digs.
