Medina/Pingree-Buchanan looking for another shot at a state title
· Yahoo Sports
Sep. 2—MEDINA, N.D. — It's Jacie Connell's favorite time of year.
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"I live for these months getting to be in the gym with my girls every day and to be able to watch them work so hard and chase their dreams," said Connell, the head volleyball coach for Medina/Pingree-Buchanan. "They make my job so easy because they love the sport just as much as I do. I am so blessed to be a part of something so amazing."
The Thunder began practices earlier this month and had its first competition at the Northern Cass Tournament last weekend. The team recorded three wins, a tie and one loss at the tournament. The Thunder's first Class B Region 1 action is scheduled for Sept. 3 against Barnes County North. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Pingree.
M/P-B had 55 girls in grades 7-12 try out for a spot on the team this year.
"I love tryout week," Connell said. "It really shows me who has put in the work over the summer and offseason. We have such a competitive program so it's fun to see the girls compete and work hard to earn their spot. ... My varsity team this year has some of the best athletes in the state. They have put so much work in and know what it takes to be the best. They have big goals for the season. This group makes each other better day in and day out. They are hungry for a state title."
Last fall, Connell and the Thunder advanced to its second-ever state tournament by way of winning its second-straight Region 1 championship, defeating Linton/Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock 3-2. 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.
While the team lost 2025 Senior Athlete of the Year Brynn Sorenson, the Thunder will be returning Violet Bohl — 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 3,086 assists and 1,154 digs. She was named to the 2025 NDHSCA All-State Second Team last season.
"My setter is one of the best in the state," Connell said. "She has grown so much as a player over the offseason. She is smart, so competitive, and she has so much drive to be the best. She is the heart and soul of our team and always is making sure our offense runs smoothly. I am so excited to watch her lead our team this season."
Destiny Opp will be one of Bohl's prime targets in the front row. Opp is a returning outside hitter for the Thunder.
"She has a deadly swing with so much power," Connell said of Opp. "She will be our go-to hitter all season long. She has become so consistent and has put in so much work."
The Thunder also return experience in the back row with Marly Hoffmann at libero. Hoffman is a returning senior.
"She works so extremely hard and does an amazing job for us in the back row," Connell said. "I have seen her confidence really come out over the summer, and that will be key to our team having another successful season. I'm so proud of her and the player she has become."
Connell said the Thunder will be tough on defense in both the back and front rows, with a scrappy set of defensive specialists and blockers who can deflect opponents' attacks. The head coach also said the team will bring high energy and a positive attitude to the court.
"This is such a close team on and off the court, and it shows," Connell said. "Our goal is to get back to state and win a state title. These girls have the mindset and talent to do it. We want it so badly, and we are willing to do whatever it takes to get back in that state title match. ... I am so obsessed with this program that I have had the privilege to be a part of. This is my favorite time of year."