Published on April 2, 2026 6:30 am
Last Updated on April 2, 2026 6:30 am
Members of the team are, front row, left to right, Hayden Reed, Gracyn Montgomery, Gia Bostedo, Brielle Friese, Cora Reed, Maddy Manhart and Reese Strigers. Back row, left to right are, Gabby Vonderheide, Ella Kinkelaar, Anna Zacha, Alexandra Hampton, Tatum Kaufman, Kessler King, Peyton Manhart and Tammy Manhart.
Stewardson Trinity finished in second place at the SIJHSAA State Volleyball Tournament.
“It was an exhausting but awesome day,” said Coach Tammy Manhart. “This was great ending to an amazing season. These girls have been so solid all year getting better and work so well together every time the stepped on the court. This was one very special group partly because my daughter is on the team but also because they were so well balanced. I know that I have said this before, but everyone is contributor and plays such an important role in the success of the team.
“Our best match of the day was our second match against the three-time defending state champions Germantown. We knew that it was going to be tough. It was a battle until point 19 in the first set. It was back and forth, and we were down 4 at one point. We pulled away after 19 and never looked back. We had them 7-1 at the start of the first set then 11-2. We kept the pressure on them, and they were never able to dig out of that hole. Our next match was a struggle. We were drained and lacking emotion. We made it through, but it did not come easy.
“We were able to refuel a little before the championship but had a very little break. The team we faced in the championship was one of the best JH teams I have ever seen play. They had three very strong hitters, and the setters were very skilled. My girls struggled in the first set but found some confidence in the second set and were able to compete. Even though we fell short of our goal of a State Championship I am very proud of this group and all of their accomplishments.
My assistant coaches Katie Durbin and Brinlie Durbin were with us for our first match but had family commitments so were not able to stay with us for the next matches. We had two Trinity Alumni join us as our assistant coaches Ella Kinkelaar and Gabby Vonderheide. They were part of my first team to make it to the State tournament back in 2019 placing 3rd. I was so fun having them back with us.
As always, it is hard to say goodbye to my eighth graders but also exciting to see what the future holds for them. Best wishes to them as they continue their careers at Stew-Stras.
SIJHSAA STATE
Stewardson Trinity Statistics
Gia Bostedo, 36 points, 7 aces, 17 kills, 43 assists, 21 digs; Cora Reed, 15 points, 6 aces, 10 kills, 37 assists, 19 digs; Maddy Manhart, 15 points, 5 aces, 27 kills, 1 assist, 54 digs; Gracyn Montgomery, 18 points, 3 aces, 24 kills, 39 digs; Reese Stigers, 4 points, 1 ace, 8 kills, 6 digs; Hayden Reed, 26 points, 6 aces, 3 kills, 2 assists, 5 digs; Brielle Friese, 28 digs