Recap of CORE’s JV Volleyball Season 2025

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The 2025 CORE Butte girls’ junior varsity volleyball team wrapped up its season with a record of 6-9 overall and 2-4 in league play. It was a year of clear growth, development, and teamwork. Coached by Allison Patton and assisted by Bailey Burke, the young Lynx showed steady improvement from their first serve in August to their final victory in late October.

Season Overview

The season began on a high note with a 2-0 sweep over Paradise at home on August 21, which was an early sign of promise for a group filled with underclassmen still learning to find rhythm and confidence. But as the team hit the road, the challenges became evident, CORE dropped consecutive matches to Anderson and Hamilton, both ending 0-2.

Coach Patton reflected on those early hurdles:

“We had the challenge of building the basics of volleyball onto the team, and giving them guidance and direction to grow. And I can say we succeeded in that. From the beginning of the season to now, these girls have grown so much in their skills.”

By early September, the improvement began to show. CORE fought through a close 2-1 win over Oroville and followed it with another three-set victory over Maxwell on September 9th. The team continued to gain traction, sweeping Biggs 2-0 on the 16th before encountering stronger opponents such as Las Plumas and Los Molinos later in the month.

CORE’s most consistent performances came at home, where the team posted a 4-2 record, including victories over Paradise, Oroville, Los Molinos, and Burney. The Burney match, which closed the season on October 23, saw CORE JV finish with one of their sharpest displays, serving confidently, communicating effectively, and showing the kind of energy Coach Patton had been encouraging all season.

“It was very rewarding to see them light up when they connected on a good hit or serve,” she said. “They surprised themselves with their abilities.”

On the road, CORE went 2-6, but even the losses reflected steady progress.

“Some of these girls had never played on a team before,” Patton said. “By the end, everyone could get a serve over the net. That’s how far they’ve come.”

Leadership and Chemistry

The 2025 JV roster included a mix of sophomores, freshmen, and one junior, several of whom are expected to move up to varsity next year. Returning players like Makaylia Nichols, Serina Rogers, Polly Hansen, and Kaylee Steen provided stability, while newcomers such as Zoe Gibson and Cintia Alesandroni stepped up quickly.

Patton praised the team’s sense of camaraderie and their progress as communicators:

“They’ve built lasting friendships with their teammates. You could see them at the end-of-season wrap-up, laughing, talking, and celebrating how far they’ve come.”

Even through injuries, such as freshman Taytum Thomas-Hartnett, who missed time with repeated ankle sprains, the team stayed positive and supported each other.

 “This was a positive experience overall,” said Patton. “They worked hard, they encouraged one another, and they never gave up.”

Awards and Recognition

At CORE Butte’s Fall Sports Awards Night, four players received special honors for their performance and growth throughout the season.

Most Valuable Player – Sophomore Makaylia Nichols
A returning player who transitioned from setter to outside hitter, her leadership and improvement stood out all year.

“The improvement I saw from last year to this year, not only in her skills, but in her team communication, was huge,” said Coach Patton. “If we had a JV team captain, she would definitely have it. She made a huge impact on our team.”

Best Offensive Player – Sophomore Polly Hansen
Polly anchored the middle for the team and she was known for her consistency and calm composure on the court.

“She was one of our most consistent hitters,” Patton said. “Reliable, steady, always getting the ball over when we needed it. She’s improved so much from last year, and she’s going to be a force at the next level.”

Best Defensive Player – Sophomore Serina Rogers
As CORE’s libero, she was dependable and confident in the back row, and she set the tone for the team’s defense.

“Serina did a great job going in and taking care of business whenever I needed her,” said Patton. “She always played with focus and composure.”

Lynx Award – Freshman Zoe Gibson
Running a five-one rotation as the team’s primary setter, she was at the heart of every play.

“She was the backbone of our team,” Patton said. “Hands of gold, incredible hustle, and a positive attitude. We were lucky to have her this year, she’s our quarterback on the court.”

Season Timeline

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Final Record: 6-9 overall, 2-4 league, 14 sets won, 20 sets lost

Comparing Seasons

Compared to 2024’s 7-7 record, this year’s team faced tougher competition and a more travel-heavy schedule. Their win percentage dipped slightly, but Coach Patton emphasized that progress is measured in more than numbers.

“From the first practice to the last, the girls learned so much,” she said. “Their serves got stronger, their communication sharper, and their teamwork was just incredible.”

The difference between the two seasons, Patton said, is experience.

“Last year, we had a few more seasoned players. This year, we had new ones who learned on the fly, and they did great. They built a foundation that will make next year’s team even stronger.”

Looking Ahead

With sophomores like Makaylia, Serina, Polly, and Kaylee eligible to move up, JV will send several of their leaders to varsity next fall. Meanwhile, freshmen such as Zoe, Taytum, and Shannon will continue to grow into larger roles.

Patton expressed her optimism for the program’s future:

“If these girls keep working over the offseason, next year they’ll come back better and stronger. They’ve built something to be proud of.”

The 2025 CORE Butte JV volleyball team may not have posted a perfect record, but their season was a clear success in all the ways that matter: skill development, team chemistry, and passion for the game. From the first hesitant serves of August to the confident final sweep in October, they proved that every point, every rally, and every lesson counts toward something greater.

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