On Wednesday, October 22, the Spartans faced off against Holy Angels in the Section 4A volleyball quarterfinal. After putting up an honest fight, the Angels came out on top, ending Orono’s season in Richfield.

“Going into Holy Angels, it was tough. They had already swept us earlier this season, so we knew it was going to be hard,” junior Rachel Johnson remarks.

Despite the loss, the Spartans showed their determination throughout the season. As one of the few 3A schools in their Conference and Section, Orono Volleyball secured the 6th seed heading into the Section tournament, after which they concluded their season with a record of 8-15.

“I think there were a lot of good moments, but also a lot of room for improvement,” junior Baylor Gleason says.

Despite their loss at Holy Angels, the team is proud of the season they had given the small number of returning players.

“We have really strong captains. Both of them have experience on varsity already, and because we have such a fresh team (we only had three returners this year), they really helped all of us feel a lot more comfortable on the court,” junior Evalyn Rosha explained.

This team camaraderie extends throughout the grade levels and aids in the development of a strong volleyball community here at Orono. This team bond is a standout feature of Orono Volleyball.

“I’d say the people make the place,” Rosha said.

The girls forge this bond both on and off the court. From cheers like the Cotton Eye Joe, the Gritty, Blue Strips, and “The Dexy” (I won’t elaborate on that one), to team sleepovers, Starbucks runs, and carb loads, the girls incorporate playful fun and companionship into every interaction.

The girls agree that standout players this year included junior Baylor Gleason, sophomore Taylor Albrecht, and freshman Emma Vinton, who fought hard all season, and in Emma’s case, crushed it playing a new position. These girls' hard work definitely contributed to the team’s success this season, and we will keep our eyes on them going into 2026.

While Orono Volleyball may have had a rollercoaster of a season, their spirit was unwavering throughout, and they’re not done yet. These girls may be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come, as their young team continues to practice and grow together. Look out for this scrappy team in 2026. Until next fall… Go Spartans!