Fans will flood the stands in gold this Thursday, September 25 as the Owls host the Hesston Swathers for their signature home event, fittingly dubbed ‘Gold Rush.’ Hesston has had a strong start to their season, going 10-5, but the Lady Owls are determined to put another mark in the Swarthers’ record. There are various activities going on during the game, bringing lots of attention to the team. We spoke to Coach Gina Clark about her opinions over Gold Rush, and this is what we learned, “Gold Rush is one of my favorite events because our Sport and Event Marketing students set a lofty goal of packing the house. Last year’s inaugural event brought in 500 people and this year they are hoping to get 600 fans in the seats. We are excited for the gym to be rocking, and of course looking forward to playing the state-ranked Swathers.”
Gold Rush will include a silent auction for a golden volleyball signed by the volleyball team, and a sign created by Pete McGregor and Eli Rolfs in Mr. Gordon’s shop. There will be a 50/50 raffle, a serving contest for the students, and fan of the game awards. All of the prizes and activities have been sponsored by 54 Station, Body & Soul Nutrition, and The Nest. Wear GOLD to the games to receive a free raffle ticket!
Check out our 2025 volleyball hype video!
The Garden Plain Owls have started their year with a 9-4 record. The Owls recently competed against the Cheney Cardinals, who have a 11-6 record. Cheney proved to be tough competition, sweeping GP in two sets at the Haven tournament this past weekend. However, the Owls were determined to bounce back in their next meeting. The game hung in the balance until the very end, but Cheney escaped with the win. The Owls won’t have to wait long for revenge–the rematch comes October 7 in a league match against the Cardinals. This year, the varsity volleyball team showcases a mix of contributions from both underclassmen and upperclassmen, blending youthful energy with veteran leadership.
One stand out athlete this year is Reese Stuhlsatz. The six-rotation outside hitter is making a breakthrough for her senior year, already leading the team in kills, with 88 this season. When Reese was interviewed about important games, she shared, “During high-stakes games, I am always trying to stay locked in and putting goals in my mind, whether it’s to win the game or to take things one point at a time.” Stuhlstatz’s focus is highly apparent in her gameplay. When asked about a teammate who has impacted her game, she said, “Jaicey has been there with me since freshman year. She always has great communication and positivity, which makes her incredibly easy to play with and support.”
Jaicey Stuhlsatz, a six-rotation setter for the Owls and a key player to the team, currently has 229 assists this season, and recently hit 1,000 career assists this Thursday. Jaicey was asked about her performance and recovery process. “Recovery for me is thinking ‘once it’s over, it’s over.’ I try not to hang my head too much.” Her perspective on bouncing back after mistakes mirrors her approach to the game itself–focusing less on individual glory and more on how every player contributes to the whole. “My mentality is that we’re all equals, I wouldn’t say there’s one star player. Passers start it, hitters finish it, all I have to do is continue it. We’re all like one big circle, and circles have no corners or end.” The senior duo is set to make a dramatic impact on the GPHS volleyball team this year.
The Owls have a promising season ahead of them. With Reese Stuhlsatz (OH), leading the league in hitting percentage, Lylah Zoglman (OH), third in the league in aces, and Jaicey Stuhlsatz (S), third in the league for assists. GPHS has plenty of grit rooted in their work ethic, and are not willing to give up the chance to make it to the state tournament this year. Coach Clark said, “We have the chance to do some extraordinary things this season. We have the right personnel, and the team works really well together. It will just be a matter of finding little ways to get better day in and day out.”
The Lady Owls look to turn things around after an upsetting knockout at sub-state to Neodesha last year in the third set. The team has done everything in their power to become a true threat to other schools, spending their summers lifting, at tournaments, and early morning training sessions. This year, GPHS volleyball is primed for a breakthrough.
