Sunday, November 15, 2026
Principal Melissa Scott congratulates head volleyball coach Alyssa Stolinas on her team’s win in the first game at the school's new gymnasium.
Skye LaButte follows through on a kill shot.
Skye LaButte celebrates.
Freshman Helen Totten sets the ball for a teammate.
MIA players immediately after winning the first game in their new gym: Camryn Rose, Karina Baldwin, Helen Totten, Skye LaButte, and Lyndsay Lowdermilk.
The MIA volleyball team following their gym-opening win over Donahue Academy. Front row: Virginia Lowe, Sophia Shea, and Lauren Ribbe. Standing: Summer LaButte, Skye LaButte, Camryn Rose, Karina Baldwin, Jenna Ragan, Lyndsay Lowdermilk, Helen Totten, and coach Alyssa Stolinas.
Sophia Shea bumps the ball. Camryn Rose is in the background and Jenna Ragan is next to Shea.
Jenna Ragan gets down low.
Camryn Rose gets up high in the front of the large crowd at the new MIA gym.
Skye LaButte bumps the ball as Jenna Ragan looks on.
It was the beginning of an era Tuesday night, August 24, with fans of all ages streaming into the Marco Island Academy gymnasium for the first ever game in the campus’s brand-new gymnasium. The home team didn’t disappoint, winning convincingly over rival Donahue Academy.
MIA was founded in 2009, but their permanent brick and mortar building was completed just in time for this school year. For years the school operated at the same physical address, but in a collection of portable classrooms and administrative offices. The glittering new gym had everyone in a festive mood.
The home stands were filled, and Rays fans were thrilled to cheer on all of the firsts—the first point, the first set, the first match. In the end, the Rays won the match in three sets, 25-15, 25-13, 25-17.
On Thursday, the Rays traveled to Southwest Florida Christian, where they dropped a hard-fought five-set match after jumping out to a two-set lead, 25-22, 25-22, 21-25, 12-25, 14-16.
Alyssa Stolinas, who was a player on the MIA volleyball team before becoming its head coach, was happy to see her team win the first game in their new home gym.
“It was thrilling to win the first game in the new gym,” Stolinas said. "The girls were nervous at first, but they settled down.”
Longtime MIA principal Melissa Scott was thrilled to congratulate Stolinas after the win. Stolinas was a student of hers when Scott started at MIA as a teacher. Scott is proud of her former student.
"It was a surreal night,” Scott said, "proving that dreams truly do come true. To have an alumni coach our first game in our new and first gymnasium ever makes it even more special. Coach Alyssa has taught them not just the techniques of the game but also how to play as a team and how to work together, communicate, and build each other up.
I could not be more proud of her and the girls. t was an amazing and heartfelt win.”
MIA founder and board chair, Jane Watt, was in the crowd with her husband Jim, a basketball coach at MIA.
“It was incredible to witness history,” Watt said, "the Lady Rays brought home the first win in our brand-new home gym. I was honestly overwhelmed with joy,” Watt said.
The Rays will be in action at home again on Thursday, September 2, at 6:00 PM when they face Everglades City.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here