Varsity volleyball squad loaded with
returners brings optimism for new season
By Bruce Rolfe
Will this be the year the Climax-Scotts varsity volleyball team defeats Battle Creek St. Philip after 49 straight matches without a match win?
The Lady Panthers have all the ingredients to end that painful streak.
Lylah Parrish was the lone senior on last year’s team that finished 23-11-2 overall and 4-2 in the SCAA West for a fifth place finish overall in the SCAA.
The team is eager to leave their mark as the first C-S team to defeat the Lady Tigers in a match since a district semifinal win for C-S in 2000.
Since that win in 2000 the Lady Panthers were frustrated 33 straight matches, split a match in 2016 at the Harper Creek Tournament and then lost 15 more
consecutive matches to the Fighting Tigers.
When broken down by individual games, the ugly numbers show C-S winning just six games and losing 115 games since the win in 2000.
After coming close in last year’s districts and starting the new season with a roster loaded with returners, the Lady Panthers are very motivated to end the long streak this year.
“It definitely brought motivation. We’ve all kind of talked about it, how bad we want it. If we don’t get it this year it will be really upsetting, but I think it will be something we will achieve and we will fight for,” said senior Sophie Braithwaite.
C-S could get its first opportunity to end the long streak at the Carrie Adams Tournament at Harper Creek August 23 at 8 a.m. Pairings were not established as of Monday morning.
If the two rivals do not face each other at the tournament, the first opportunity to end the streak will be a road match October 7 at the Tiger Den at 7 p.m.
There’s also the possibility the two will meet in the postseason.
The Lady Panthers came close in last year’s district championship match, winning two of the first three games over St. Phil (25-20, 17-25, 25-19), however the Tigers came back to win the next two games (25-20, 15-12).
If C-S would have prevailed in last year’s district championship match, it would have ended St. Phil’s very impressive streak of 24 consecutive years without losing a district tournament.
“Having the same team, I feel like there is a really huge opportunity for us and I think we will drive and get there,” said Braithwaite.
“We actually were just talking about it last night (August 14). There is a different fire that has been lit under these ladies this year. This group of seniors is determined to be the best. They want everything and the hunger for it is so exciting to see. I don’t know if they truly understand what it would mean to defeat the Tigers. All they know is that they want and deserve a district championship and a win over St. Phil – whatever the arena. As far as what it means to the program, having a win over St. Phil under your belt is a pretty good testament to the program. But I feel that it would be more of a testament to the group of girls and their hard work and dedication to the program,” said C-S coach Angela Gilbert, who is entering her 9th year as varsity coach and 10th year coaching in the program (her first year in 2015 was coaching at the junior high level).
Returners include seniors Sophie Braithwaite (Outside Hitter), Ashlynn Gilbert, (Setter), Adalynn Reeves (middle hitter), Holly Talbert, (outside hitter/defensive specialist), and Jane Carillo (defensive specialist), juniors Mackenzie Vincent (middle hitter), Kendal Reitz (outside hitter), Michaella Carillo (defensive specialist) and Ona Newland (defensive specialist).
Gilbert said she is offering some underclassmen the option to join the team in matches and tournaments when there will not be a JV match.
After losing just one senior and enjoying nine returners with considerable playing time, Gilbert admits expectations and goals are elevated.
“While you can’t replace a player like Lylah (Parrish) with an exact same version, we can still be competitive and strive to play the position to the best of our abilities. That means that the girls will have the opportunity to step up their game. It will give us the opportunity to build depth. The returning girls are ready to leave their mark,” observed the Lady Panther coach.
Gilbert said because many of her players have been playing competitively with each other in multiple sports for approximately 10 years, unity, familiarity and flat out overall talent is a major strength heading into the new season.
“There is an unspoken bond that they have that makes them want to work together for the win. They push each other respectively to be better and get excited for one another when each succeed. We are going to be a very competitive team and it will be so much fun to watch this team this year,” said Gilbert.
Gilbert feels Mendon will be C-S’ toughest opponent in the SCAA West with St. Phil and Hillsdale expected to field competitive teams as well in the SCAA.
Will this be the year the Climax-Scotts varsity volleyball team defeats Battle Creek St. Philip after 49 straight matches without a match win?
The Lady Panthers have all the ingredients to end that painful streak.
Lylah Parrish was the lone senior on last year’s team that finished 23-11-2 overall and 4-2 in the SCAA West for a fifth place finish overall in the SCAA.
The team is eager to leave their mark as the first C-S team to defeat the Lady Tigers in a match since a district semifinal win for C-S in 2000.
Since that win in 2000 the Lady Panthers were frustrated 33 straight matches, split a match in 2016 at the Harper Creek Tournament and then lost 15 more
consecutive matches to the Fighting Tigers.
When broken down by individual games, the ugly numbers show C-S winning just six games and losing 115 games since the win in 2000.
After coming close in last year’s districts and starting the new season with a roster loaded with returners, the Lady Panthers are very motivated to end the long streak this year.
“It definitely brought motivation. We’ve all kind of talked about it, how bad we want it. If we don’t get it this year it will be really upsetting, but I think it will be something we will achieve and we will fight for,” said senior Sophie Braithwaite.
C-S could get its first opportunity to end the long streak at the Carrie Adams Tournament at Harper Creek August 23 at 8 a.m. Pairings were not established as of Monday morning.
If the two rivals do not face each other at the tournament, the first opportunity to end the streak will be a road match October 7 at the Tiger Den at 7 p.m.
There’s also the possibility the two will meet in the postseason.
The Lady Panthers came close in last year’s district championship match, winning two of the first three games over St. Phil (25-20, 17-25, 25-19), however the Tigers came back to win the next two games (25-20, 15-12).
If C-S would have prevailed in last year’s district championship match, it would have ended St. Phil’s very impressive streak of 24 consecutive years without losing a district tournament.
“Having the same team, I feel like there is a really huge opportunity for us and I think we will drive and get there,” said Braithwaite.
“We actually were just talking about it last night (August 14). There is a different fire that has been lit under these ladies this year. This group of seniors is determined to be the best. They want everything and the hunger for it is so exciting to see. I don’t know if they truly understand what it would mean to defeat the Tigers. All they know is that they want and deserve a district championship and a win over St. Phil – whatever the arena. As far as what it means to the program, having a win over St. Phil under your belt is a pretty good testament to the program. But I feel that it would be more of a testament to the group of girls and their hard work and dedication to the program,” said C-S coach Angela Gilbert, who is entering her 9th year as varsity coach and 10th year coaching in the program (her first year in 2015 was coaching at the junior high level).
Returners include seniors Sophie Braithwaite (Outside Hitter), Ashlynn Gilbert, (Setter), Adalynn Reeves (middle hitter), Holly Talbert, (outside hitter/defensive specialist), and Jane Carillo (defensive specialist), juniors Mackenzie Vincent (middle hitter), Kendal Reitz (outside hitter), Michaella Carillo (defensive specialist) and Ona Newland (defensive specialist).
Gilbert said she is offering some underclassmen the option to join the team in matches and tournaments when there will not be a JV match.
After losing just one senior and enjoying nine returners with considerable playing time, Gilbert admits expectations and goals are elevated.
“While you can’t replace a player like Lylah (Parrish) with an exact same version, we can still be competitive and strive to play the position to the best of our abilities. That means that the girls will have the opportunity to step up their game. It will give us the opportunity to build depth. The returning girls are ready to leave their mark,” observed the Lady Panther coach.
Gilbert said because many of her players have been playing competitively with each other in multiple sports for approximately 10 years, unity, familiarity and flat out overall talent is a major strength heading into the new season.
“There is an unspoken bond that they have that makes them want to work together for the win. They push each other respectively to be better and get excited for one another when each succeed. We are going to be a very competitive team and it will be so much fun to watch this team this year,” said Gilbert.
Gilbert feels Mendon will be C-S’ toughest opponent in the SCAA West with St. Phil and Hillsdale expected to field competitive teams as well in the SCAA.
C-S Varsity Volleyball Team Profile
Coach: Angela Gilbert, 9th year as varsity coach, 10th year coaching overall (one year junior high coach)
Last year’s Overall record: 23-11-2/SCAA West record: 4-2/5th place overall in the SCAA
Assistant Coaches: Jeanelle Pontoni-Longman JV coach; Britnie Langs, 8th grade coach; Ellie Tribbett, 6th/7th grade coach.
Returners & Letterwinners: Sophie Braithwaite, senior, OH, Ashlynn Gilbert, senior, Setter, Adalynn Reeves, senior, MH, Holly Talbert, senior, OH/DS, Jane Carillo, senior, DS, Mackenzie Vincent, junior, MH, Kendal Reitz, junior, OH, Michaella Carillo, junior DS, Ona Newland, junior DS
A Look Ahead ...
C-S JV/Varsity Volleyball
2025-2026 Volleyball (Varsity)
Aug 23: Carrie Adams Tournament - Varsity (At Harper Creek High School) 8:00 a.m.
Aug 25: Marcellus Quad - Varsity DH Away 5:00 p.m.
Aug 26: North Adams (JV/Varsity) Away 6 p.m.
Sep 4: Burr Oak (JV/Varsity) Home 5:30 p.m.
2025-2026 Volleyball (Varsity)
Aug 23: Carrie Adams Tournament - Varsity (At Harper Creek High School) 8:00 a.m.
Aug 25: Marcellus Quad - Varsity DH Away 5:00 p.m.
Aug 26: North Adams (JV/Varsity) Away 6 p.m.
Sep 4: Burr Oak (JV/Varsity) Home 5:30 p.m.
The C-S varsity volleyball team includes (front row, left to right) Ona Newland, Michaella Carillo, Ashlynn Gilbert, and Jane Carillo; along with (back row, left to right) coach Angela Gilbert, Kendal Reitz, Sophie Braithwaite, Adalynn Reeves, Holly Talbert, and Mackenzie Vincent.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
