As fans arrived, posters lined the wall showcasing the eight seniors (Jillian Elijah, Gretchen Hammill, and Jaelyn Posekany on the JV squad and Kennedey Whitford, Cydney Jaster, Jozie Lahr, Kiley Devery, and Gable Knight on varsity) who make this team special. Emotions filled the air as the senior parents lined up in the hall, waiting to walk to center court to meet their daughter.
Teammates were left saddened as they handed the seniors their gift baskets. The gym was filled with orange and black balloons along with orange pom-poms placed on each seat. The three senior captains would run out of the home tunnel for the last time. Their names echoed through the gym one last time as starting lineups were announced. All they have left to do is win. Win against the team they had not beaten since 2013.
Senior night is a tradition to honor the hard work and dedication the seniors have put into their careers. For senior captain Jozie Lahr, her volleyball career does not end after this season.
“I think that this being our last game on this home court means a lot, and the crowd here was just amazing,” Lahr said.
The support from the fans not only made the night unforgettable but also gave Lahr a glimpse of the kind of atmosphere she will get to play in next year. Lahr is continuing her volleyball career at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.
Captain Cydney Jaster has a different story. Her volleyball journey might be over when the season comes to a close.
“I have never felt more connected to a team in my life. This is the most fun I have ever had, and I just feel so blessed to be able to have everybody here and be able to play together and win on our last home game,” Jaster said.
For Jaster, the night was less about what comes next and more about cherishing the moment surrounded by teammates who have become like family.
Captain Kylie Devery is trading a Solon Spartan jersey for a Fresno State Bulldog jersey. Her volleyball journey will continue as a Division 1 athlete in California. Reflecting on her time as a Spartan, Devery shared how much it meant to contribute to the growth of the program.
“I think as a team we have been talking about that, just building the program up, especially as seniors, we want to leave it better than we found it. Kinda making that name for the school,” Devery said.
Her words highlight the pride she takes in leaving a lasting mark, even as she looks ahead to the challenges and opportunities of competing at the next level.
Kennedey Whitford, the libero, is a South Dakota State commit for volleyball while Gable Knight will pursue other interests beyond volleyball.
On a night when Solon finally broke through against a rival they hadn’t beaten in more than a decade, that legacy felt even more real. As the final points were played and the sweep became reality, the celebration was about more than the scoreboard. For Solon, Senior Night was a reminder of the bonds formed through years of practices, matches, and shared goals. Jaster, Lahr, and Devery walked off their home court for the last time with smiles and the knowledge that they left behind a program stronger than when they found it. A legacy built on love, pride, and perseverance that future Spartans will carry forward.
“I just love this team, and I am so glad that I could do it with these girls because they are really special,” Devery said.
On a night filled with balloons, pom-poms, and history-making volleyball, Solon honored eight seniors who have each left their own mark on the program. For the three captains and their classmates, Senior Night was more than a final home game.
Solon 3 West Delaware 0
(28-26, 25-18, 25-20)
Kills – Kiley Devery 15, Avery Kellen 9, Jozie Lahr 7, Amelia Guinn 6, Gable Knight 5, Makinley Galvan 4, Scarlet Ferin 1
Assists – Cydney Jaster 21, Ferin 18, Kennedey Whitford 2
Solo blocks – Devery 2, Lahr 1
Block assists – Kellen 5, Devery 4, Lahr 2, Galvan 1, Guinn 1, Knight 1
Digs – Whitford 20, Macy Fuller 9, Jaster 6, Ferin 6, Devery 3, Kalynn Timmons 2, Lahr 2, Guinn 1, Kellen 1
Ace serves – Ferin 2, Whitford 1, Fuller 1, Jaster 1
Lady Spartans go 2-2 in Union’s tourney, Solon 2 Ed-Co 1
The Lady Spartans opened with a 21-15 win in the first set, fell 19-21 in the second and bounced back to a 15-11 third set win. Kiley Devery led Solon with 13 kills, Jozie Lahr produced five, Makinley Galvan, Amelia Guinn, and Gable Knight made four apiece with two from Avery Kellen and one by Kennedey Whitford. Galvin had one solo block, Scarlett Ferin had two ace serves, and Cydney Jaster and Lahr made one each.
Beckman Catholic 2 Solon 1
Solon won the first set 22-20 but fell 16-21 and 14-16. Kiley Devery led with nine kills, Amelia Guinn had eight, Makinley Galvan made six, Addison Walter had three as did Avery Kellen, and Jozie Lahr produced two. Walter and Devery made one solo block each.
Solon 2 South Tama County 1
After a 21-16 first set win the Lady Spartans were surprised by the Trojans with a 15-21 loss in the second before rallying back to a 15-7 third set win. Kiley Devery led with seven kills, Amelia Guinn had five with three by Kendyl Kidwell, two each by Addison Walter, Jozie Lahr, and Gable Knight, and one apiece from Makinley Galvan and Avery Kellen. Kennedey Whitford made two ace serves.
Union Community 2 Solon 0
The Knights ended Solon’s day 19-22 and 25-22 with nine kills by Kiley Devery, seven by Amelia Guinn, six from Addison Walter, and one apiece by Jozie Lahr and Avery Kellen.
