The first game of the season, game one, is always a time for teams to dream and hope. Last year’s senior class has moved on, and it’s time for those who have paid their dues to step up and lead in 2026.

The Lady Rams welcomed the NLL Napoleon Wildcats as both teams opened their seasons Thursday evening at Tinora High School.

Tinora controlled early in set one, but Napoleon went on a 6-0 run and jumped in front of the Lady Rams 12-11 midway through set one. Tinora went on a 6-1 run and led 17-13 late in the initial set and held on for a first set win 25-16 to grab a 1-0 lead over the Lady Cats.

Freshman Braleigh Addington led the Rams with 5 set one kills while also adding 2 aces in her first varsity match.

Tinora trailed early in set two 4-0, but took control at 17-9 midway through the second set. A 3-0 run that contained two Addison Dominique kills and an Ella Schaublin ace forced a timeout from Napoleonhead coach Jena Riseborogh.

The Lady Rams held on to take set two 25-10 to grab a 2-0 set advantage. Braleigh Addington finishes it with a kill. The freshman has a match-high 11 kills. Ella Schaublin, with 22 assists, threw two sets.

The Lady Cats again started hot in the third set, taking an early 4-0 lead. Napoleon went on a 7-0 run to lead Tinora 17-10. It forced the second timeout of the night from the Rams, and the Lady Cats of Napoleon took set three 25-18 to cut the Lady Rams lead down to 2-1.

The fourth set saw the Lady Rams jump out to a 10-5 advantage in the fourth quarter, stretching it out to 15-7 on an Aubrey Hall serve ace. Napoleon went on a run to cut the Tinora lead to 19-10. Back-to-back aces by Addington increased the Tinora lead to 22-9, and the Lady Rams would win set four, 25-13, for a 3-1 win on opening night.

Braleigh Addington led Tinora with 18 kills. Kalli Wells and Addison Dominique each added 12. Ella Schaublin led the Lady Rams with 37 assists.

Taylor Borton had 5 aces for Napoleon, and seemed to score 30 of the Wildcats’ points from her serve.

Tinora would take down the Lady Cats, 3-1, 25-16, 25-10, 18-25, 25-13

Napoleon starts the season at 0-1. The Lady Cats will take on Defiance Saturday.

Tinora starts the season at 1-0. The Lady Rams will travel to Lima on Saturday and take on the Shawnee Indians, 5 pm JV, varsity afterward.

The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to freshman Braleigh Addington. Congratulations, Braleigh.

Listen back below:

JV: Tinora 25-19, 25-14

Napoleon (0-1) – Taylor Borton 5 aces, 10 assists; Jillian Dehnbostel 4 kills; Hannah Miller 4 kills, 2 blocks; Piper Shepard 3 blocks; Blayne Pedraza 2 blocks.

Tinora (1-0) – Macy Behnfedlt 19 digs, 36-36 serve receive, 10-11 serving; Ella Schaublin 11 digs, 3 aces, 33 assists; Aubrey Hall 4 aces, 25-26 serving, 9 digs; Riley Baldwin 2 aces; Addison Dominique 11 digs, 3 aces, 13 kills, 2 blocks; Kalli Wells 5 digs, 10 kills; Brooklyn Behnfeldt 7 digs, 20-20 serve receive; Braleigh Addington 17 kills, 9 digs, 13-15 serving; Teagen Billing 3 kills, 2 blocks; Kenzy Bacon 3 digs, 16-18 serve receive.