The Ionia Freshmen Girls Volleyball Team finished their season strong tonight with a win over Hastings 25-23 and 27-25. The girls started the night with great energy and were scrappy. They were picking up every ball and playing as a team. Hastings had a hard time finding a place to put the ball down. In game two they came out a little bit slower and got down 7-2, but then brought back some aggressive play and tied the game up at 14.  The game continued to be super tight with the lead changing hands several times until Ryley Helmes served a beautiful ace to finish the game.

Erin Steffen had 4 kills McKenna O’connor contributed 2, and Kenadie McCoy and Gena Rogers also chipped in one a piece. Ella Bouwhuis lead the Dawgs with 7 digs and Miah Wittenbach and Brooklyn Nash both had three. Setter Ava Bowen played strong defense covering short balls and tips putting up 8 perfect passes and assists. 

Overall the freshmen girls had a great season finishing 16-14-1. Great season Lady Dawgs!

The Ionia Freshmen Girls Volleyball team team beat Portland in 2 games. The Bulldogs won 25-23 and 25-21. Kenadie McCoy had 3 kills, 1 ace, and 4 digs. Skye Currigan, Jordyn Ciganick, Gena Roger's, and Brooklynn Nash all contributed 1 kill. Ava Bowen had 6 assists, 11 great passes, and 2 aces on the night.  Ella Bouwhuis had 7 digs.

The Bulldogs are now 16-14-1 for the season. They play again October 30 at home in a tri meet for their final game of the year.

The Ionia Bulldogs got off to an aggressive start to the day playing Birch Run.  The game went point for point until  15 when the Bulldogs communication and coverage of the middle campfire by Miah Wittenbach and Ella Bouwhuis left Birch Run with no place to tip the ball.  McKenna O'Connor caught them on their heels with a soft roll short over the block and Jordan Ciganick was aggressive at the net.  The Bulldogs won game 1, 25-21.  In set 2 Ava Bowen started the game with 5 straight aces giving the Dawgs an early 6-1 lead.  The Bulldog momentum never wavered.  After a long rally Gena Rogers won a point with an aggressive kill on an overpass.  Libero Ella Bouwhuis then put up a perfect dig against a killer pin hit.  Setter Ava Bowen then had a great read and placed a soft tip right over the block into a wide open middle.  The Bulldogs kept up the aggressive play taking the win 25-13.

In the 2nd match-up of Pool play the Bulldogs faced the Alma Panthers.  The Dawgs came in cold and the Panthers pushed to an early lead of 5-1 after 3 aces.  Then Jordan Ciganick stopped the run with a well placed kill to the corner.  The Bulldogs kept playing and tried to gain momentum when Alma overpassed a serve receive ball and Ryley Helmes came back slamming a kill to the back court.  The Bulldogs,even with moments of great play, couldn't overcome 7 serving errors and lost game 1, 25-16.  In game 2 Alma's serves put them into an early lead of 9-4 but the Dawgs dug in and brought the heat.  They started to communicate and the rallies followed.  Kenadie McCoy had a great dig followed by several kills off the block.  The back row with Miah Wittenbach, Brooklyn Nash, and Ella Bouwhuis put up some great passes to help Ava Bowen assist Erin Steffen to two back corner kills in a row and a kill by Kenadie McCoy.  Gena Rogers was a force behind the service line with 8 serves in a row, 5 being aces.  Ava Bowen closed the game by keeping the momentum going with 6 service points behind the line, 4 of which were aces.  The Dawgs won game two, 25-14.

In the final match-up of pool play the Dawgs faced undefeated Okemos.  In game 1 Ionia had difficulty finding their groove in the back court and the Grey Hounds got up to an early 8-4 lead.  Ava Bowen tried to get the offense going with a tip, as well as Jordan Ciganick with two kills back to back but the Dawgs ended up losing game one 25-15.  In game 2 Ionia came out strong and the Bulldogs got an early lead 13-7 before they hit a rough patch of play.  Yet they still didn't give up.  They had a number of rough rallies that ended not in our favor.  The  Grey Hounds kept coming at the Ionia defense and eventually were victorious 25-22.  

The Bulldogs came out of pool play 3-3, which placed them into the 6th seed  out of 12 in bracket play.  The Bulldogs were up a various times throughout both game 1 and 2 but couldn't take the game.  They worked hard, communicated, were aggressive and scrappy, and tried.  The score does not always show the great rallies that were lost. They ended the day losing to Williamston 26-23 and 25-19.

Overall the girls played hard and every team member contributed to the game.  Kenadie MCoy had 8 kills for the day, 3 aces and 6 digs.  Ella Bouwhuis had 23 digs and Erin Steffen contributed another 10.  Ava Bowen worked her tail off 24 assists, 7 aces, 2 digs, and 18 perfect passes.  Jordan Ciganick had 5 kills while Mckenna O'Connor had another 4, Gena and Ryley each contributed 1.  Gena Rogers had a high of 7 aces, Miah Wittenbach contributed 4 along with Ryley Helmes.  

The Bulldogs are now 15-14-1 on the season.  They play again on Tuesday at home against Portland.  

The Ionia Freshmen Volleyball team hosted a tri meet on Thursday night against Fowler and St. Johns.  Fowler came out serving tough in game one and secured the win 25-13.  The Dawgs turned things around with great serve receive from the back row by Miah Wittenbach and Ella Bouwhuis  in game 2.  With more accurate passes, setter Ava Bowen was able to get the offense up and running.  Aggressive play paid off for the Bulldogs and they secured a 26-24 win in game 2.   Fowler came back in game three to win 15-9.  

In game two against the Redwings Ionia had a tough time finding their momentum.  St. Johns started the game with a tough server and got off to an early lead.  Ionia's started to pick up their play and had several great rallies but the Redwings were able to take the games 25-11 and 25-14.  

The Bulldogs are now 14-12 on the season.  They play again on Saturday at the Owosso Invitational and against Portland on Tuesday.

Ionia Freshmen Volleyball put up a conference win against the Greyhounds in two winning 25-20, and 25-9.  The girls came out slow and were down 6-3 before Skye Currigan had 3 serves the first round and then another 7 in a row while securing the lead for the win and Miah Wittenbach put up 4 and then the final 2 points on the night.  Each player both acquired 2 aces on the night.  In game two the Bulldogs came out ready to fight.  They were aggressive and passed the ball well in the back court.  Ella Bouwhuis led the Bulldogs with 8 great passes and 2 digs.  Ava Bowen serve and Kenadie McCoy both served up three aces in a total of 9 attempts.

Overall on the evening the girls played well.  The front line was aggressive at the net and the back row was moving, covering, and helping their team mates on crazy balls. Kenadie McCoy had 4 kills, while Ava Bowen and Brooklynn Nash each had three.  Jordyn Ciganick contributed another 2 kills and Erin Steffen had 1 and three aces on the night. 

The Freshmen Volleyball Team is now 14-9 on the season.  They play next on Thursday at home against Fowler and St. Johns.  LET'S GO DAWGS!

The Bulldogs won a real nail biter against the Alma Panthers this evening in three games. The Bulldogs got out to an early lead in game 1 and kept it until the score was 21-16. The Panthers then worked hard and fought back to win 25-23. In game 2 the lead shifted and changed hands several times until the score was tied 20-20. Ionia's Erin Steffen went behind the service line and with the help of her team, secured the Bulldogs their first win of the night. In game 3 the Bulldogs came out in the lead by 1-2 points until the score was tied up at 13. The Panthers got a side out and they were down 14-13. The Bulldogs didn't give up and showed their determination as they fought hard with several rallies to to tie it up to 14. Ava Bowen then served up the last couple of balls to secure the win 16-14. 
 

Kenadie McCoy had 3 kills, 2 digs, and an ace for the night. Erin Steffen had two kills and 2 aces. Ava Bowen had three aces and led the team in a great, on target passes along with Ella Bouwhuis.  Gena Roger's and Ryley Helmes each had one kill and 1 block. 
 

The Bulldogs are now 13-9 for the season. They play next Tuesday away at Eaton Rapids for a Conference match up. 
 

The Ionia Freshmen Volleyball team matched up this evening for the third time this season against the Lady Vikings and unfortunately came up short. The Bulldogs came out strong in game 1 taking the win 25-15. In game two the lead changed hands several times with the Vikings winning 25-23. In game 3 the Bulldogs got out to a quick lead but couldn't secure the win before Lakewood came back and won 18-16. 
 

Erin Steffen secured 3 kills and 5 aces. Ava Bowen led the offense with 11 assists and 4 perfect passes.  Ryley Helmes played tough at the net with 3 kills and 2 blocks, while McKenna O'Connor, Gena Rogers, and Jordan Ciganick all had 1 kill apiece. Brooklyn Nash also played tough on the net.Kenadie McCoy had 2 kills, 1 block, and 3 aces on the night. Ella Bouwhuis and Miah Wittenback led the defense with with three perfect passes each. Skye Currigan contributed two aces.

The Ionia Freshmen Volleyball team lost a conference match-up against the Cougars Tuesday 23-25, and 15-25.  In game 1 the Bulldogs came out to a strong lead until the mid-teens when Lansing Catholic was able to tie up the game and pull ahead.  Throughout the game the Bulldogs played strong in the back row but after a couple errors back to back they were able to take the lead.  The Bulldogs did not give up and hung in there but ended up losing a tight game.  In game two the Bulldogs started the game strong going point for point until 12.  Then the Lady Cougars pulled away and the Dawgs could not find break several tough servers.  

Overall, the Bulldogs are showing their growth over the season.  They are consistently passing the ball better, and becoming more aggressive at the net.  McKenna O'Connor led the Dawgs with two kills on the night with Kenadie McCoy, Gena Rogers, and Brooklynn Nash all contributing one.  Ava Bowen and Miah Wittenbach both had three aces, while Ava and Ella Bouwhuis successfully had two digs a piece.  The Bulldogs play again next Tuesday night in another conference match-up against Lakewood.  

Freshmen Volleyball came out strong in game one of the day and pulled out a close win against Pewamo Westphalia winning 25-23, 25-15, and 25-23.  After sitting the bulldogs came out flat against Greenville losing the first game 25-19. In game 2 the Bulldogs fought hard but lost 23-25 before coming back and winning the third game 25-23. The bulldogs ended up second in their pool for the morning. 

In tournament play the Bulldogs beat East Lansing in three 20-25, 25-14, and 25-13. Moving on into the semi's the Bulldogs had a tough time matching the momentum of St. John's Redwings losing 16-25 and 13-25. Overall the Bulldogs had a good showing in the tournament and tied for third place.

Ella Bouwhuis led the Bulldog defense keeping balls in play along with Miah Wittenbach. Erin Steffen and Isabella Gallagher each had 8 kills, while Brooklynn Nash added another 4 and McKenna O'Connor put down 3.  Gena Rogers, Jordyn Ciganick,  and Ryley Helmes played aggressively at the net.  Ava Bowen led the Bulldogs with 9 aces and Kenadie McCoy added 4.  Skye Currigan was steady behind the service line.

The Bulldogs play at Lansing Catholic on Tuesday for their next conference play. They are now 12-17 for the season. 

Ionia Freshmen Girls Volleyball team beats Sexton 25-6 and 25-0. The Bulldogs came out strong during game 1 with serve receive and then behind the service line.  Sexton had a tough time receiving the ball to get an offense going. When the ball was sent over Ionia was ready to play. Ionia's Ava Bowen served the first 11 points of game 1 and all 25 points of game 2, racking up 9 aces. Kenadie McCoy also had a serving spree of 7 and Jordan Ciganick earned three aces on the night.
 

The Bulldogs are now 10-5 on the season and 3-0 in conference play. They play again on Saturday at home for the Ionia Frehmen Volleyball Tournament. Their first game starts at 9:00 a.m.

Ionia Freshmen Volleyball lost to Greenville High School in two sets 13-25, and 13-25. The bulldogs stuck with Greenville until they made a big serving run in both games.  The Bulldogs had trouble finding any moment after the runs started. 
 

Erin Steffen led the Bulldogs at the net with two kills and McKenna O'Connor chipped in one. Skye Currigan, and Ryley Helmes both had a kill and a block each. each added one.  Ava Bowen led the team with assists while Erin and Brooklynn Nash also had an ace.

The Bulldogs are 9-5 on the season. They play at home on Tuesday for a conference match against Sexton.

The Ionia Freshmen Volleyball team came out strong against the Orioles.  Ionia's Ava Bowen made a strong run behind the service line putting the Bulldogs up 17-1.  The Orioles never really gained any momentum in game one with Bulldogs taking the win with a final score of 25-4.  In game two the Bulldogs came out flat.  The Orioles served tough and the Bulldogs had troubles giving a solid pass to set up their offense until a late in the game run of 8 points.  The run proved to be too late with the Bulldogs dropping set two 25-26.  

In the final set of the evening the Orioles got out to a quick 5-2 lead but the Bulldogs fought hard to stay within a couple of points until tieing up the game at 8.  From 8 points on the Bulldogs took charge of the game and finally beat the Orioles 15-10.  

Tonight was a night of ups and downs and momentum swings.  "I am so proud of my team tonight.  Tonight was the first night they really experienced huge momentum swings in a game.  Yet, they didn't give up and they dug in to take the win," said Coach Frias.  .  

Ava Bowen led the Bulldogs with 9 aces, Gena Rogers added another 4 aces behind the service line.  Erin Steffen led the Bulldogs with 2 kills.  The Bulldogs are now 9-4 for the season.  They play again on Thursday at Greenville HIgh School at 5:00. 

The Ionia Girls Freshmen team played one of their best games yet at home Thursday night against Pewamo-Westphalia winning 25-18, and 25-17.  The Bulldogs were focused from the first serve and worked incredibly hard tonight as a team.  "I am incredibly proud of the amount of growth they have made so far this year," said Coach Amy Frias.  "They were truly exciting to watch tonight, every girl contributed to the win."

Tonight Ionia's passing in the back court was led by Ella Bouwhuis, Miah Wittenbach, and Ava Bowen.  Without their hustle and movement to the ball the rest of the team would not have been able to get the offense going.  Skye Currigan, Jordyn Ciganick, and Brooklyn Nash all contributed 2 kills for the Bulldogs.  Erin Steffen put up a block and played aggressively at the net and served up three aces.  Miah Wittenbach had 4 aces, while Kenadie McCoy had 3, and Ava Bowen contributed another 2.

The Bulldogs are 8-4 for the season.  They will play next on Tuesday at Home against Charlotte.

Ionia Freshmen Volleyball Team traveled to Olivet this evening to play in their first conference match of the season.  The bulldogs got off to a great start in both games getting an early lead.   Olivet was never able to close the gap and take the lead.  

Ava Bowen and Isabella Gallagher did a great jo tonight running the offense but overall our ability to put in the ball into play proved to be too much for Olive to handle.   Isabella Gallagher led the Bulldogs in aces at 8, while Ryley Helmes added another 4.  Ella Bouihuis had 7 great passes and 7 players on the team all had one kill each.  

The bulldogs play at home on Thursday night at 5:00 against Pewamo Westphalia.

The Ionia 9th Grade Volleyball team went 1-1 Wednesday night.  They started out strong winning the first set 25-22.  In game 2 Ionia had trouble building any momentum and North Pointe came out to a 11-3 lead.  The lead proved too great and Ionia never fully recovered losing the set 16-25.  In game 3 the Bulldogs came out steady and pulled out the win 15-13.  

In the second match of the night Ionia played Cedar Springs.  They came out slow and had difficulty finding any momentum.  The lost set one 12-25.  In game 2 Cedar Springs started the game with a tough server that quickly gave them the lead.  The Bulldogs answered back and tied up the game.before a late game run secured the win for the RedHawks 25-21.  

Brooklynn Nash led the Bulldogs with 3 kills on the night, While Gena Rogers, Kenadie McCoy, Isabella Gallagher and Erin Steffen all added 2.  Gena Rogers, Kenadie McCoy, and Ava Bowen served consistently throughout the night, while Ella Bouwhuis moved across the back line defending our court. 

The Bulldogs are now 6-4 for the Season and play next in Olivet on Tuesday for their first conference match up of the year.

The Ionia Freshmen Volleyball Team traveled to Lakewood to play Thornapple Kellogg and Hastings.  The Bulldogs had a successful night beating all three teams in three sets.  In the first game of the evening the Bulldogs faced off against TK again but the Bulldogs came out victorious 27-25, 21-25, and 15-11 this time after losing to them about two weeks ago.  Against Hastings, the Bulldogs took home the win 25-23, 22-25, 15-9.  Then, in the final match of the evening, the Dawgs played against Lakewood and managed to keep their record against the Vikings to 2-0.  The first game they won 25-5, then lost 25-22, and won again 15-7.  

The girls are improving rapidly, and all their hard work is starting to show on the court.  On the net Isabella Gallagher walked away with 11 kills, while Brooklynn Nash and Kenadie McCoy both walked away with 5 for the evening.  Erin Steffen and Jordyn Cignaick also put down 3.  Gena Rogers and Ryley Helmes added two a piece and Mckenna O'Connor added another one.  Skye Currigan had a great net doing all the little things that don't show up on the stat sheets.

In the back of the court Ella Bouwhuis continues to lead the dogs in on target passing with 35 good passes this evening and another 7 digs.  Miah Wittenbach added another three digs and 5 on-target passes.

Behind the service line Erin Steffen, Isabella Gallagher, and Ava Bowen led the Dawgs with 6 a piece, while Miah Wittenbach took home another 5 aces giving the Bulldogs some easy points. 

The Bulldogs are now 5-3 on the season and play on Wednesday, September 4 at 5:00 at North Pointe Christain for a tri-meet. Go Bulldogs!

Ionia Freshmen Volleyball went 1-2 at a quad meet at Thornapple Kellogg.  The Bulldogs had moments of great play but could not in keep the momentum of the game long enough to pull out the win against Thornapple Kellogg.   They lost both games against TK 25-16 and 25-17. . In their second match up of the night against Waverly the Bulldogs came out strong, taking the win 25-12 and 25-18.  Then in Ionia fell in their final match up of the night to Vicksburg 25-8, and 25-22.  Ella Bouwhuis played strong in the back row as the bro.  Ava Bowen and Issabella Gallagher hustled as they ran the team as setters.   

The bulldogs are now 2-3 for the season and will play again on Tuesday, September 3rd at Lakewood High School.

The Ionia 9th Grade Volleyball Team opened up at home Thursday, August 22 against Okemos and county rival Lakewood.  Ionia came out strong against the Greyhounds but a late game 5 point run in game 1 and a 8 point run in game 2 proved too much for the Bulldogs to come back from.  The girls did a lot of things well tonight for their first game out but ended up falling to the Greyhounds 25-18, and 25-20.

Against the Vikings, Ionia and Lakewood went point for point in game one with a war of serve receive and then finally with some aggressive play at the net the Bulldogs were able to finish the Vikings 25-23.   In game 2 Lakewood came out strong and earned a quick lead of 4-1, but then Erin Steffen confidently walked behind the service line and earned quick two aces and put the ball in play 6 times changing the tide of the game.. The early 8-4 lead created a momentum the Vikings couldn't shake and the Bulldogs won the second game 25-12.   

Erin Steffen had three aces on the night, while Isabella Gallagher had 3.  Ella Bouwhuis had 7 digs and 13 accurate passes, and Kenadie McCoy contributed 2 digs and another 9 perfect passes. Gena Rogers was super aggressive across the net earning 3 kills, while Jordyn Ciganick, Isabella Gallagher, and Ava Bowen all had 2.  

The Freshmen Bulldogs will play Monday night in Thornapple Kellogg at 4:30. They are 1-1 on the 2024-2025 season.