Medina/Pingree-Buchanan volleyball seniors have a common goal
· Yahoo Sports
Oct. 10—MEDINA, N.D. — The seniors on the Medina/Pingree-Buchanan volleyball team were asked the same question — and they all said the same thing.
"Our goal for this year is to try and find our way back to the state tournament and take it all home this year," said Destiny Opp.
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"At the beginning of the season we made a few different goals, but the biggest one would be to win a state championship," said Marly Hoffman.
"With making it to State these past two years, we knew there would be some pressure for this season — but (the pressure) just wants us to get a state title even more," said Violet Bohl. "... Our goal is to make a deep postseason run and compete in the state championship."
While the NDHSAA Class B State Tournament is still more than a month away — the Thunder is well on their way to getting back for the third straight time. As of Oct. 8, Bohl and the Medina/Pingree-Buchanan volleyball team are 15-5.
"I knew in my heart that I was determined to go far this year with this team," Bohl said. "It being my senior season, I knew how quickly everything was going to go by. We want to go back to state and finish what we started. After the first practice, I felt so excited and ready to compete with my girls and show everyone what we're made of. I know that's cringy, but it's so true."
Bohl is a fourth-year starter at the setter position. Last season, Bohl was responsible for 1,147 assists and 514 digs. She made 61 kills and 12 blocks and delivered 36 aces from the service line. In her career, Bohl has notched 3,596 assists and 1,367 digs. She was named to the 2025 NDHSCA All-State Second Team last season. This year, Bohl has made 510 assists, 213 digs and 67 kills.
Bohl, Opp and Hoffman were part of the team that won the Region 1 championship in 2024 and 2025. At the NDHSAA Class B State Volleyball Tournament, M/P-B cruised through the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds and appeared in the 2025 state championship game. Connell and company wound up falling to Langdon Area/Edmore-Munich 3-2.
"My mindset before the first day of practice was thinking what it would look like without last year's seniors and me trying to prepare myself to be put in that position this year," Opp said. "After that practice, I was so overwhelmed with excitement after seeing what potential our team already had for the start of the year."
This season Opp has recorded 27 blocks, 40 digs and 265 kills.
"I feel I have improved not only physically, but mentally as well," Opp said. "My mentality has had to become so strong the last couple of years, and I have just felt so much personal growth within my mindset."
Opp is not the only one who has taken strides during the offseason.
"I've improved the most by becoming a more confident player," Hoffman said. "I've learned to trust myself more and not get as frustrated when I make a mistake. Instead of letting one mistake affect the rest of my game, I've learned to move on and focus on the next play."
Hoffman started playing volleyball in fourth grade.
"Nobody really pushed me to be a part of volleyball," Hoffman said. "I honestly just joined because I wanted to try it, and looking back, I'm so grateful that I did. I never expected it to become such a big part of my life or to bring me so many memories and friendships."
The second-year libero has been on the Medina/Pingree-Buchanan varsity team for three years.
"Before my first practice, all I could think about was that this was it," Hoffman said. "This was our last season to prove so much and make the most of our time together, especially with all of these seniors. After that first practice, I knew this team had so much potential. I realized that if we put our minds to it and worked together, we could accomplish so much."
Hoffman has been rostered as a setter, right-side hitter, outside hitter and libero.
"My favorite overall is libero because I think it's such an exciting position," Hoffman said. "I love being involved in every play and having the opportunity to make a difference defensively."
Hoffman has been responsible for 300 digs and 30 aces this season.
"As a senior, I hope keeping the momentum going means helping the underclassmen keep their love for the sport and giving them the same drive and passion that we have," Hoffman said. "I want them to continue working hard, believing in themselves, and wanting it just as badly as we did."
In total, there are seven seniors — Bohl, Opp, Hoffman, Madelynn Nagel, Sydney Davis, Jasmine Houmann and Nicole Hayes — on the M/P-B roster this season.
"My senior group is super close," M/P-B head coach Jacie Connell said. "They have the best chemistry, and they just vibe so well together. It has been so amazing being able to watch these three lead this team this year. They make everyone around them better just by their presence, leadership, and positive attitudes. They are truly the best girls, and they make me so proud every day."
The next match on the schedule is slated for Oct. 13. The Thunder is set to host Kidder County. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Medina High School.
"All of these seniors have such a special role on this team," Hoffman said. "Every single one of them knows their job, and they each bring something different to the team. They all do their jobs so well, and I'm so grateful that I get to finish my last season surrounded by such an amazing group of girls."