Back in August, I made my way into one of Cheboygan volleyball’s first practices of the season .

Seeing the usual suspects I’ve covered in past years – Tessa Lake, Presley Chamberlain, Olivia Patrick, Makaela Steiner – the mood was good, the vibes were good, and the energy was high. I know each of them, but I really wanted to see their new coach – former Cheboygan player Jordan Barrette – and how things were going in the opening stages.

Right from the start, you could see a sense of excitement with all the players, from the No. 1 star on down. It was just a feel-good environment that’s always great to see.

From that day on until Thursday’s district title match with the outstanding Ogemaw Heights Falcons, their positive, upbeat mentality never wavered even after suffering a heartbreak

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