New chapter in C-S varsity volleyball
By Bruce Rolfe
There will be a new coach leading the Climax-Scotts varsity volleyball team in 2026, but she’s a familiar face with a long connection to C-S volleyball and the local school district that goes back to when she went through the school system and played volleyball at C-S.
Jeanelle Pontoni, a 2001 graduate of C-S High School, took over the head coaching role after longtime C-S volleyball coach Angela Gilbert stepped down following 10 years serving as the Lady Panther varsity volleyball coach.
Pontoni has been a coach in the C-S volleyball program eight years, coaching at both the junior high level and recently the JVs under Gilbert.
Pontoni served as a team captain while playing defensive specialist and libero at Glen Oaks Community College.
The new C-S coach currently serves as a fourth grade teacher at the C-S Elementary School.
Pontoni admits having the opportunity to transition into her first varsity head coaching role at C-S is exciting.
She also embraces the opportunity to take over a program Gilbert worked hard at building a strong foundation.
She said her goal is not to change what has worked, but to build on it and continue moving the program forward.
“Taking over the program after 10 years of leadership is both an exciting opportunity and a responsibility that I take seriously. I was fortunate to work alongside Angela for eight years, so I have had the opportunity to learn from her, understand the foundation she built, and see first hand what has made this program successful. I am excited to continue the traditions and values that have been established while also bringing my own ideas and leadership to the program. I feel very fortunate that she remains a resource for me, and I know I can continue to learn from her experience,” said Pontoni.
The first year Panther varsity coach feels coaching eight years at the JV and Jr. High levels at C-S will be an advantage, especially since she has already worked and knows most players on her team.
“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to build relationships with the athletes, their parents, and members of the community. I have also been involved in the players’ development, so I already have an understanding of their strengths, areas for growth, personalities, and what motivates them. That familiarity allows me to step into the role with a strong foundation of trust and understanding rather than starting from scratch. I believe those established relationships will help create a smooth transition and allow us to focus on continuing to grow as individuals, athletes, and a team,” explained Pontoni.
Pontoni said she would like to build on a strong foundation already established while continuing to grow the program on and off the court.
She said with six returning players bringing valuable experience, she hopes to develop a team culture built on confidence, accountability, trust, and the program’s GOLD Standard (Grit, Ownership, Lift Others Up, Determination).
On the court, the C-S coach wants her team to be aggressive, consistent, and confident in its attacking game while using strong defense to compete for every point.
“Winning is important, and we want to compete for matches and put ourselves in a position to have success at the end of the season, but I don’t want our success to be measured only by wins and losses. I want our players to become better volleyball players, stronger teammates, and better people throughout the season. Ultimately, I want us to finish the season knowing we worked hard, trusted each other, continued to grow, and represented our school and community with pride,” observed Pontoni.
When looking at team strengths, Pontoni feels her players are hungry for success and genuinely care about each other.
On the court, Pontoni feels strong returning leadership from middle blocker Mackenzie Vincent and the consistent, quick and all around strong play senior Kendal Reitz brings will be a positive factor, but also feels Reitz’ strong understanding of the game will be valuable.
“Their leadership will be especially valuable as we continue to develop our young setter, who already has a solid foundation and the training to grow into her role,” said Pontoni.
Another positive attribute Pontoni sees in the team is a dominant attacking force combined with relentless defensive specialists who refuse to give up on a ball.
“However, what excites me most is that our strengths go beyond athleticism. These players communicate, push each other to be better, and support one another through struggles.
When you combine our experience, athleticism, skill, and genuine commitment to one another, I believe we have the potential to be a very special group,” adds Pontoni, who feels overall, from an athletic standpoint, this team has great potential.
When looking at the SCAA West Division, Pontoni feels Mendon and Battle Creek St. Philip will be strong again.
While Mendon graduated four starters, Pontoni feels last year’s state runnerup finishers will have plenty of talent returning.
“St. Phil always manages to be solid under Vicki Groat’s leadership. They only graduated one senior,” points out Pontoni.
Pontoni will be assisted by Evangeline Matrau, and JV Coach Alyssa York.
There will be a new coach leading the Climax-Scotts varsity volleyball team in 2026, but she’s a familiar face with a long connection to C-S volleyball and the local school district that goes back to when she went through the school system and played volleyball at C-S.
Jeanelle Pontoni, a 2001 graduate of C-S High School, took over the head coaching role after longtime C-S volleyball coach Angela Gilbert stepped down following 10 years serving as the Lady Panther varsity volleyball coach.
Pontoni has been a coach in the C-S volleyball program eight years, coaching at both the junior high level and recently the JVs under Gilbert.
Pontoni served as a team captain while playing defensive specialist and libero at Glen Oaks Community College.
The new C-S coach currently serves as a fourth grade teacher at the C-S Elementary School.
Pontoni admits having the opportunity to transition into her first varsity head coaching role at C-S is exciting.
She also embraces the opportunity to take over a program Gilbert worked hard at building a strong foundation.
She said her goal is not to change what has worked, but to build on it and continue moving the program forward.
“Taking over the program after 10 years of leadership is both an exciting opportunity and a responsibility that I take seriously. I was fortunate to work alongside Angela for eight years, so I have had the opportunity to learn from her, understand the foundation she built, and see first hand what has made this program successful. I am excited to continue the traditions and values that have been established while also bringing my own ideas and leadership to the program. I feel very fortunate that she remains a resource for me, and I know I can continue to learn from her experience,” said Pontoni.
The first year Panther varsity coach feels coaching eight years at the JV and Jr. High levels at C-S will be an advantage, especially since she has already worked and knows most players on her team.
“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to build relationships with the athletes, their parents, and members of the community. I have also been involved in the players’ development, so I already have an understanding of their strengths, areas for growth, personalities, and what motivates them. That familiarity allows me to step into the role with a strong foundation of trust and understanding rather than starting from scratch. I believe those established relationships will help create a smooth transition and allow us to focus on continuing to grow as individuals, athletes, and a team,” explained Pontoni.
Pontoni said she would like to build on a strong foundation already established while continuing to grow the program on and off the court.
She said with six returning players bringing valuable experience, she hopes to develop a team culture built on confidence, accountability, trust, and the program’s GOLD Standard (Grit, Ownership, Lift Others Up, Determination).
On the court, the C-S coach wants her team to be aggressive, consistent, and confident in its attacking game while using strong defense to compete for every point.
“Winning is important, and we want to compete for matches and put ourselves in a position to have success at the end of the season, but I don’t want our success to be measured only by wins and losses. I want our players to become better volleyball players, stronger teammates, and better people throughout the season. Ultimately, I want us to finish the season knowing we worked hard, trusted each other, continued to grow, and represented our school and community with pride,” observed Pontoni.
When looking at team strengths, Pontoni feels her players are hungry for success and genuinely care about each other.
On the court, Pontoni feels strong returning leadership from middle blocker Mackenzie Vincent and the consistent, quick and all around strong play senior Kendal Reitz brings will be a positive factor, but also feels Reitz’ strong understanding of the game will be valuable.
“Their leadership will be especially valuable as we continue to develop our young setter, who already has a solid foundation and the training to grow into her role,” said Pontoni.
Another positive attribute Pontoni sees in the team is a dominant attacking force combined with relentless defensive specialists who refuse to give up on a ball.
“However, what excites me most is that our strengths go beyond athleticism. These players communicate, push each other to be better, and support one another through struggles.
When you combine our experience, athleticism, skill, and genuine commitment to one another, I believe we have the potential to be a very special group,” adds Pontoni, who feels overall, from an athletic standpoint, this team has great potential.
When looking at the SCAA West Division, Pontoni feels Mendon and Battle Creek St. Philip will be strong again.
While Mendon graduated four starters, Pontoni feels last year’s state runnerup finishers will have plenty of talent returning.
“St. Phil always manages to be solid under Vicki Groat’s leadership. They only graduated one senior,” points out Pontoni.
Pontoni will be assisted by Evangeline Matrau, and JV Coach Alyssa York.
The Climax-Scotts varsity volleyball team consists of (back row, left to right) Ona Newland, Mackenzie Vincent, Annabelle Edwards, Olivia Bolt, Peytan Cogswell, and Coach Jeanelle Longman-Pontoni; and (front row, left to right) Kendal Reitz, Michaella Carillo-Keegan, Lucy Schultz, Alessandra Pontoni, and Kyla Etheridge.
(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
