From air guitar solos to line dancing, Boyne City's Tarsi keeping things fun in final run

BOYNE CITY — The number one goal for the Boyne City volleyball team is always to win, of course.

But tied right alongside there? Just have fun.

For anyone who has ever watched the Ramblers on the court, whether or not they’re out there doing just that is never a question one walks away with.

And the ringleader of it all – you could say setting it up – is senior setter, Ava Tarsi.

A four-year starter with the Boyne varsity, Tarsi has good reason to always be having fun. As talented as she is, things just click around her and there’s a lot to smile about.

And from an air guitar solo to AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black’ during a timeout to dancing to ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ between sets, it was all on display during Boyne’s senior night Tuesday.

“I have to keep things real,” said Tarsi with a laugh. “I used to play Guitar Hero when I younger with my brother. So I just really felt it. The same wit ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ I love that one.”

All that fun Tuesday led to a three-set sweep over visiting Harbor Springs, with the Ramblers taking sets of 25-15, 25-12 and 25-15.

While it all comes naturally on the court, there’s also a mind game taking place for Boyne, as they celebrate and dance.

“Teams that we’re playing against notice it, that’s what gets in their heads first and we’re able to beat them mentally before we beat them physically,” added Tarsi.

Boyne City has had a successful year on the court once again, this time under first-year head coach Tyla Coates.

While they hit a tough patch against the top of the LMC – against Traverse City St. Francis and Elk Rapids on back to backs – a recent tournament title in Mancelona and Tuesday’s victory has them back dancing again.

“Communication and our team spirit has really improved,” said Coates. “After (Elk) we really talked and then the Mancelona tournament we showed out and tonight we showed out too.”

The communication starts with Tarsi on the court and its led to a better bond between the senior and some of those new hitters she came into the season with, while playing without Morgan Deming at the high school level for the first time.

“We’ve really got a good connection going after practicing so much,” said Tarsi. “Ameilia (Dunstan) is running faster and I feel like I’ve been getting everyone to run a little faster. That’s what made Morgan and I so great. Elly (Wilcox) and I’s connection is great, Amelia and I are great, Josie (Wilson) and I are great.”

Tarsi has been great once again as well, from her leadership and ability to set teammates up, to her own ability to score for the Ramblers. She’s been the perfect player for Coates to begin a coaching career with.

“She does really well being smart at the net and knowing where to place the ball,” said Coates. “She’s very smart. I wish I could keep her for another four years, but she’s going to do great outside of high school.”

As for her dance moves and everything else that comes along with it? Well, Coates just laughed.

“She just does her thing,” she added. “They’re always having fun.”

Tarsi finished the night with 40 assists, six kills, five digs and four aces, then senior Aubrey Burns had 13 digs, three aces and two assists. Senior Brianna Ager had two kills, Addie Patton had three aces and six digs, then Wilcox had 11 kills, Dunstan finished with five kills, eight digs and an ace and Wilson had four kills.

Other seniors celebrated on the night included Ella Doumanian, Eliana Michael, Sawyer Cadarette and Maureen Hautz, all a group that Coates has loved being around.

“They’re always excited about everything volleyball and then they’re just there for each other,” added Coates. “They’re just a really good group.”

Boyne will get back to the court on Tuesday, Oct. 17 in Grayling, while Harbor Springs hosts Charlevoix the same night.

With the season far from over, Tarsi believes this Rambler group has what it takes to make a run as the postseason comes around and they enter their Division 2 district bracket.

“I think this team can make a really deep run,” said Tarsi. “I think we’re really going to be ready. We’re talking in practice all the time and having these deep conversations about what we can do differently with things. I think this team can make a deep run if we put our minds to it.”

And what's more fun than postseason wins?

Contact Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Boyne City celebrates senior night with victory over Harbor Springs