The Stanley-Boyd volleyball team doesn’t need any COVID19 disturbances to its season, because they’re having fun.

Two matches in – and two wins – and it’s clear this is a team that just will keep getting better and better this season.

The Orioles opened their season Tuesday night at home in the shortened season and defeated rival Thorp in three straight games – 25-19, 25-16, 25-13 – to get off to a great start in Western Cloverbelt Conference play.

“We’re a young team with only four seniors on the roster,” Coach Rainy Antolak said after the match. “We have good talent and an extremely positive team attitude.”

That carried over to a Saturday morning non-conference match against Loyal. The Orioles also swept that in three sets, retreating to the Stanley-Boyd High School cafeteria for some well-earned Dilly Bars, a tradition in weeks following that Thorp win.

The Orioles have an athletic squad that is mostly playing together for the second straight year, and they still could be the youngest roster in the conference. Sophomore Emily Brenner was second team All-Conference as a freshman, and she was battling injury last season. She was swinging hard against Loyal, as were senior Hannah Hause and junior Lily Hoel.

The Oriole defense is anchored by libero Kayte Licht, and Antolak is impressed with how the players are performing so far.

“Our defense is looking good. Our back row didn’t let anything fall,” she said.

In addition to Hause, seniors are Kailyn Schillinger, Taylor Schuebel and Aaliyah Moore.

Juniors are Hoel and Leslie Derks.

“Leslie is great. She does anything we ask of her. Today, she had to fill in for Aaliyah, who was at a wedding, and she did great,” Antolak said after the Loyal match.

The sterling sophomore class features Brenner, Sierra Close, Tina Benson, Kaden Drehmel, Teagen Becker and Licht.

“We are young,” Antolak reiterated. “These girls have worked so hard throughout the summer, and they’re just really excited to be able to play and to be together. They’re so much fun to be around.”

‘They’re such a cohesive unit, and they’re a year older than last season, so I think we can be in the mix at the end of the year. I think we have a team that will be in the top half of the conference,” said Antolak, who expects Fall Creek and Mc-Donell to be at or near the top, and Altoona finally got clearance to play Friday, and they’re always competitive.

“We can be right there too, but overall, we’re just thankful to be able to play. Every match we get is a gift. Of course we want to win every match we play, but we’re just glad to be out here,” said Antolak. “It’s a fun, fun group of girls.”

With just about a week of practice, S-B was ready for Thorp.

The team was thrilled to have their first match of the season, and it showed in their presence on and off the court. It was a solid victory for us, and we improved offensively and defensively as the match progressed,” said Antolak.

Licht had 31 digs on the night, while Hoel and nine kills and five blocks. Schuebel and Becker notched eight kills each.

Photos by Heather Vait.