One Goal Left: Volleyball headed to sections

Jack Hawkins and Alfredo Jimenez

October 22, 2025

Senior Captian Kyleah Miller getting ready to serve in front of the home crowd.

This year has been one of the most successful seasons in Owatonna Volleyball history. The Huskies finishes with a 18-8 overall record and a 10-1 record in the big nine. Led by coach Josh Halva in his second season as head coach, this team has proved to be one to keep an eye on during the section tournament where they have received the 3 seed and face Rochester Century at home in the opening round of sections on Wednesday Oct. 22.

Senior Captian Kendra Bogan slams over a powerful serve. (Aliah Fischer)

Owatonna volleyball went to the first round of sections last season, ending the season with a loss to Farmington. This team features six returning starters, among them is Senior Libby Jensen, she said this about how this team looked to build off from previous years, “Our team’s strength and motivation this year was built through the challenges and losses from previous years. Every year before this was tough and it taught our team some valuable lessons that made us better”.

Team mentality is vital to making a successful season happen like the one this team has had. Senior Captain Kendra Bogan had this to say about the team’s mindset,”The team’s mentality is to come out super strong and just play our game. We are super excited but we know what is at stake. The team just has to stay calm but have energy so we don’t try to do too much.”

Not only is success present on the court, but also in the stands as Owatonna fans help make an electric atmosphere at every match. Junior Student Manager Owen Kaytor says, “You can see the impact that the fans have during the game as the amount of energy they give reciprocate onto the actions of the players during the match, influencing their mindset towards a greater positive outlook.” about the atmosphere that has contributed to an eventful season.

Senior Addy Schroht getting ready to start a rally on senior night. (Aliah Fischer)

Coach Halva shares his thoughts on all the success that this team has achieved, “Watching my team succeed isn’t just about the scoreboard and wins. It is about watching these young women grow, mature, work hard and trust the process of getting to this point. Watching them succeed fills me with pride and reminds me why I started coaching.”

This team is the embodiment of hard work, commitment, and consistency. A successful season does not come by without dedication, it comes by the outstanding effort of coaches, players, and fans, and this Owatonna Volleyball team encapsulates all those qualities.

About the Contributors

Jack Hawkins, Photographer/Writer

Jack Hawkins is a junior this year at Owatonna High School.This is his first year in Magnet. Hawkins is involved in Owatonna boys soccer, basketball, and Captain of the boys track team. He is also involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters,Yearbook, Thriving Minds, Kindness Retreats. Outside of school Hawkins enjoys hanging out with friends and lifting weights. Hawkins plans to attend a four year college after he is done with high school and is undecided. Hawkins joined this year to learn more about magnet and meet new people. Hawkins is very excited to see what the school year has to come.

Alfredo Jimenez, Writer

Alfredo Jimenez is a junior at Owatonna High School, and this is his first year involved with The Magnet. Outside of school, Jimenez likes to hang out with friends and family and also enjoy time by himself. Jimenez also has an interest in weight lifting and running as he is on the Track and Field team for Owatonna, participating in mid-distance running events. Jimenez has been involved in Track and Field since about 7th grade, working to achieve his goal of making an impact on the track. After high school, Jimenez is interested in pursuing a career in either finance or business, building off being involved in DECA. A unique fact about Alfredo is that he is missing two of his front teeth. A few reasons that got Jimenez to join Magnet are that he wants to give back to the school, as well as the ability to connect with peers at OHS.

Aliah Fischer, Photographer

Aliah Fischer is a sophomore at Owatonna High School and this is her first year in Magnet. Fischer wrestles and plays lacrosse for OHS as well as being involved in FFA and 4H. She also enjoys working with animals, and in particular really enjoys spending time with her horses as well as running rodeo circuits, barrel racing and pole bending. After high school Fischer is looking into potentially becoming an animal chiropractor, building off of her love for livestock. A fun unique fact about Fischer is that she is able to drive any length of trailer without a struggle. One of Aliah’s other hobbies that got her into Magnet was her interest in photography, as that is one of the things she looks forward to doing most here at Magnet.