Last year’s success inspires
volleyball team to want more
By Bruce Rolfe
The Galesburg-Augusta varsity volleyball team enjoyed plenty of success on the court last year.
An impressive 21-8-5 overall record and second place finish in the SAC Central Division were two highlights.
However the season ended with a loss in the district championship match to a ranked Bronson squad.
For the seniors and other returners on this year’s squad, there is genuine motivation to experience more success, including in the postseason where grasping the district championship trophy is coveted.
“Yes, we are very motivated to capture a district title this year. We are back in the district with Kalamazoo Christian, who continues to dominate postseason matches. Our drive all season will be to compete with them for the title this year. Every practice, every game, every little moment in between will be driven by that goal. We are honored to have great competition each year in the postseason; it will allow for that win to be so much sweeter,” said G-A coach Jonica Klimp, entering her fifth year as G-A’s varsity volleyball coach.
The team feels with five of last year’s starters returning, enjoying success again this season and hopefully reaching new success levels is achievable.
Third year starter and senior captain Lily Gilbert (outside hitter), second year starter senior captain Lexi Coburn (setter), second year starter senior Emily Coleman (outside hitter), junior second year starter Jeni Klimp (opposite hitter), and junior second year starter Kayla Bortolussi (middle block) all return.
“With the senior leadership this year, expectations are high, and that will carry over to the rest of the team. I believe that the difference between good teams and great teams is the level of team leadership, and we have that this year,” observed the G-A coach.
Klimp said the coaching staff has decided to slim down the roster to ensure efficient, effective practices and allow maximum playing time for the athletes on the roster.
When looking at the SAC Central Division Klimp feels Schoolcraft should be a strong team to contend with, however Delton-Kellogg, who administered G-A’s lone loss in the Central Division last year, should be competitive as well.
The rest of the team consists of senior Ellesa Callender (Middle Block), who is returning from a knee injury, junior Jilaya Henry-Phillips (Defensive Specialist), junior Audrey Dennis (Defensive Specialist), junior Claire Callender, (Utility), and junior Kirra Puglise (Utility).
Klimp will be assisted by second year varsity assistant Olivia Fox. Kristin Gibson will be the Ram JV coach and Delany Dack will be the freshman coach.
“Coach Fox and I are very excited for this season. I cannot express the value of great leaders. Lily Gilbert and Lexi Coburn have expectations for their team. They are not afraid to ask their teammates to step up and do their best. We see the potential of each player on our roster. Now it is up to all of us to bring that out and elevate it each and every time we step
into a gym. Looking to be the team to beat this year,” adds the Ram coach.
The Galesburg-Augusta varsity volleyball team enjoyed plenty of success on the court last year.
An impressive 21-8-5 overall record and second place finish in the SAC Central Division were two highlights.
However the season ended with a loss in the district championship match to a ranked Bronson squad.
For the seniors and other returners on this year’s squad, there is genuine motivation to experience more success, including in the postseason where grasping the district championship trophy is coveted.
“Yes, we are very motivated to capture a district title this year. We are back in the district with Kalamazoo Christian, who continues to dominate postseason matches. Our drive all season will be to compete with them for the title this year. Every practice, every game, every little moment in between will be driven by that goal. We are honored to have great competition each year in the postseason; it will allow for that win to be so much sweeter,” said G-A coach Jonica Klimp, entering her fifth year as G-A’s varsity volleyball coach.
The team feels with five of last year’s starters returning, enjoying success again this season and hopefully reaching new success levels is achievable.
Third year starter and senior captain Lily Gilbert (outside hitter), second year starter senior captain Lexi Coburn (setter), second year starter senior Emily Coleman (outside hitter), junior second year starter Jeni Klimp (opposite hitter), and junior second year starter Kayla Bortolussi (middle block) all return.
“With the senior leadership this year, expectations are high, and that will carry over to the rest of the team. I believe that the difference between good teams and great teams is the level of team leadership, and we have that this year,” observed the G-A coach.
Klimp said the coaching staff has decided to slim down the roster to ensure efficient, effective practices and allow maximum playing time for the athletes on the roster.
When looking at the SAC Central Division Klimp feels Schoolcraft should be a strong team to contend with, however Delton-Kellogg, who administered G-A’s lone loss in the Central Division last year, should be competitive as well.
The rest of the team consists of senior Ellesa Callender (Middle Block), who is returning from a knee injury, junior Jilaya Henry-Phillips (Defensive Specialist), junior Audrey Dennis (Defensive Specialist), junior Claire Callender, (Utility), and junior Kirra Puglise (Utility).
Klimp will be assisted by second year varsity assistant Olivia Fox. Kristin Gibson will be the Ram JV coach and Delany Dack will be the freshman coach.
“Coach Fox and I are very excited for this season. I cannot express the value of great leaders. Lily Gilbert and Lexi Coburn have expectations for their team. They are not afraid to ask their teammates to step up and do their best. We see the potential of each player on our roster. Now it is up to all of us to bring that out and elevate it each and every time we step
into a gym. Looking to be the team to beat this year,” adds the Ram coach.
2026 G-A Frosh/JV/Varsity Volleyball
Tues. 8-25 Comstock (JV/Var) Home 5:30 p.m.
Thurs. 9-3 Schoolcraft (9th/JV/Var) Home 5 p.m.
Tues. 9-8 Bridgman (JV/Var) Away 5 p.m.
Sat. 9-12 Climax-Scotts Tournament (Var) Away 9 a.m.
Sat. 9-12 Quincy Tournament (JV) Away 9 a.m.
Tues. 9-15 Martin (JV/Var) Home 5 p.m.
9/15 Parchment (Freshmen) Home 5 p.m.
Thurs. 9-17 Hackett Catholic Prep (9th/JV/Var) Away 5 p.m.
Tues. 9-22 Holland Black River (JV/Var) Home 5 p.m.
Thurs. 9-24 Fennville (9th/JV/Var) Home 5 p.m.
Sat. 9-26 Fennville Tournament (9th and JV) Away 8:30 a.m.
Tues. 9-29 Saugatuck (JV/Var) Away 5 p.m.
Thurs. 10-1 Gobles (JV/Var) Home 5 p.m.
Tues. 10-6 Delton (Frosh/JV/Var) Away 5 p.m.
Thurs. 10-8 Lawton (JV/Var) Away 5 p.m.
Sat. 10-10 Comstock Tournament (Var) Away 9 a.m.
Sat, 10-10 Climax-Scotts Tournament (JV) Away TBD
Thurs. 10-15 South Haven Triangular w/St. Joeseph (JV/Var) Away 5 p.m.
Sat. 10-17 Constantine Tournament (Var) Away 9 a.m.
Sat. 10-17 Martin Tournament (JV) Away 9 a.m.
Tues. 10-20 S.A.C. Divisonal Triangular (Var) TBD 5 p.m.
Wed, 10-21 S.A.C. Divisonal Triangular (JV) Home 5 p.m.
Wed. 10-28 Kalamazoo Home School (JV/Var) Home 5 p.m.
Thurs. 10-29 Climax-Scotts (JV/Var) Away 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 2-7 Districts (Var.) TBD TBD
Tues. 8-25 Comstock (JV/Var) Home 5:30 p.m.
Thurs. 9-3 Schoolcraft (9th/JV/Var) Home 5 p.m.
Tues. 9-8 Bridgman (JV/Var) Away 5 p.m.
Sat. 9-12 Climax-Scotts Tournament (Var) Away 9 a.m.
Sat. 9-12 Quincy Tournament (JV) Away 9 a.m.
Tues. 9-15 Martin (JV/Var) Home 5 p.m.
9/15 Parchment (Freshmen) Home 5 p.m.
Thurs. 9-17 Hackett Catholic Prep (9th/JV/Var) Away 5 p.m.
Tues. 9-22 Holland Black River (JV/Var) Home 5 p.m.
Thurs. 9-24 Fennville (9th/JV/Var) Home 5 p.m.
Sat. 9-26 Fennville Tournament (9th and JV) Away 8:30 a.m.
Tues. 9-29 Saugatuck (JV/Var) Away 5 p.m.
Thurs. 10-1 Gobles (JV/Var) Home 5 p.m.
Tues. 10-6 Delton (Frosh/JV/Var) Away 5 p.m.
Thurs. 10-8 Lawton (JV/Var) Away 5 p.m.
Sat. 10-10 Comstock Tournament (Var) Away 9 a.m.
Sat, 10-10 Climax-Scotts Tournament (JV) Away TBD
Thurs. 10-15 South Haven Triangular w/St. Joeseph (JV/Var) Away 5 p.m.
Sat. 10-17 Constantine Tournament (Var) Away 9 a.m.
Sat. 10-17 Martin Tournament (JV) Away 9 a.m.
Tues. 10-20 S.A.C. Divisonal Triangular (Var) TBD 5 p.m.
Wed, 10-21 S.A.C. Divisonal Triangular (JV) Home 5 p.m.
Wed. 10-28 Kalamazoo Home School (JV/Var) Home 5 p.m.
Thurs. 10-29 Climax-Scotts (JV/Var) Away 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 2-7 Districts (Var.) TBD TBD
G-A Cross Country
A look ahead ...
8/22 Colon Inv. Away 10:30 a.m.
9/1 Marshall Barney Roy Inv.
(At Cornwell Turkeyville) 5 p.m.
A look ahead ...
8/22 Colon Inv. Away 10:30 a.m.
9/1 Marshall Barney Roy Inv.
(At Cornwell Turkeyville) 5 p.m.
2026 G-A JV/Varsity Football
A look ahead ...
8/26 Saugatuck (JV) Home 6 p.m.
8/27 Saugatuck (Varsity) Away 7 p.m.
9/2 Plainwell Fresh (JV). Home 6 p.m.
A look ahead ...
8/26 Saugatuck (JV) Home 6 p.m.
8/27 Saugatuck (Varsity) Away 7 p.m.
9/2 Plainwell Fresh (JV). Home 6 p.m.
