Friday, November 6, 2026
Lely libero Shannyah Bain bumps the ball.
MIA coach Alyssa Stolinas looks relaxed during Thursday’s multi-team scrimmage.
Amelia Skender and Sophia Ogdin both call for the incoming ball.
Lely’s Poppy Clarke looks fierce as she makes a play at the net.
Giuliana Batelli shows perfect timing on a block.
Breanna Arvig makes a play at the net for Lely.
Addison Reed follows through at the net.
Mia Berryman gets up high for a block.
Kolbie Bernhardt was a force at the net.
Sophia Ogdin celebrates with teammates.
Kolbie Bernhardt bumps the ball at the net.
Freshman Arianna Batelli makes a play at the net.
MIA libero Sophia Ogdin communicates with teammates.
Stella Sweazy returns serve.
Lely’s Addison Heinrich gets down low to bump the ball.
It’s not just the players who need to knock the rust off before the games start to count. The refs need to practice, too. That’s why there seemed to be as many refs in the building as players during a six-team scrimmage Thursday night, August 6, at the Community School of Naples gym. Teams from First Baptist Academy, Palmetto Ridge Estero, Lely, Marco Island Academy, and Community School took turns scrimmaging each other while veteran officials helped the rookie refs learn the ins and outs of calling a game.
Lely coach Theresa Keegan, whose team is coming off an 8-17 season, likes what she saw from her team Thursday. “We have most of our team back from last year,” Keegan said. “We lost two girls. And then we have two new girls on varsity: one sophomore transfer from Marco Addison Reed and a freshman who will play a big role. Poppy Clarke is our all-around outside hitter for us. Addison Heinrich, our setter, is a four-year varsity senior now. So she's looking good. I'm excited for this season."
Marco Island Academy, coming off a 22-7 season, is rebuilding after losing three four-year standouts in Madison Stolinas, Medney Garraux, and Rylee Howard. But the cupboard is far from empty for the Rays who return senior libero Sophia Ogdin, who has already been picked as one of the area’s top 11 players. Also back for the Rays is senior outside hitter Giuliana Batelli, whose sister Arianna is an incoming freshman who shows potential. Kolbie Bernhardt looks to be on the verge of a breakout sophomore season. Junior Mia Berryman is a solid returning starter.
“It was great to finally see the girls back on the court in a competitive setting,” said Alyssa Stolinas, longtime Rays head coach. “A scrimmage like this allows us to see where we are as a team and identify areas we need to continue working on before the season begins. With several freshmen stepping into key roles this season, giving them experience in a competitive environment was really important. There are still things we need to clean up, but I’m excited about this group’s potential and how much we can develop as the season progresses."
MIA hosts St. John Neumann on Thursday, August 13 at 5:30 in a preseason game that promises to be spirited.
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