Family tradition coming to a close for Bohl family

John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun By Katie Ringer Today at 7:00 AM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? MEDINA, N.D. — Things have been a bit crazy between the months of August to November in the Bohl household for the last 13 years. "When I think back on volleyball seasons growing up, I remember how busy and chaotic our house could get, but also how much fun it was," said Gracie (Bohl) Fruth. "There was always something going on, from practices and games to someone forgetting a jersey and Mom or Dad having to rush it to our games. ADVERTISEMENT "I also remember how supportive our community was and how our moms would make us goodie bags for big games and district tournaments," she said. "Most of all, I remember having such a strong competitive drive and passion for volleyball from a young age. Volleyball was a huge part of our family and looking back, it's the little memories and all the support surrounding those seasons that mean the most." Gracie, along with her sisters Hannah, Lilly and Violet have all played for the Medina/Pingree-Buchanan volleyball team. There has been at least one Bohl sister on the team since 2016. Violet, the youngest of the four, is in her senior season with the Thunder this year. "I’ve been watching them play ever since I was 2 years old," Violet said. "They made me want to be just like them. Seeing them perform and be so good at volleyball and all the sports they played was an experience not many people get to see. Having three different sisters who all played in different ways and styles was something I really looked up to as a kid and a younger sister. I also have always admired, and what they’ve taught me is to not play for myself, but to as a setter, play to make your teammates succeed. My sister’s faith in the Lord has also played a huge part in what’s made me succeed and to give glory not to myself, but to God." Violet began playing volleyball in elementary school. She has been on the high school team since her freshman year. She is a fourth-year starter at the setter position. Last season, Violet was responsible for 1,147 assists and 514 digs. She made 61 kills and 12 blocks and delivered 36 aces from the service line. John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun "I am so proud of Violet and the setter she is," Hannah said. "I remember when Violet came to me when she was in elementary school, and she told me Jacie wanted her to be the setter and she didn’t want that position. I told her I knew she was going to be good as a setter and to do her best and try it. Now look at her breaking records and making it to state with her team. I am beyond proud, and now I’m taking my toddler to her games." All four Bohl sisters have set for the Medina/Pingree-Buchanan program. ADVERTISEMENT "Not all of us wanted to be setters initially during our younger years, our coaches saw that we all fit best into the role of a setter," Lilly said. "It must run in the family." In her career, Violet has notched 3,596 assists and 1,367 digs. She was named to the 2025 NDHSCA All-State Second Team last season. This year, Violet has made 510 assists, 213 digs and 67 kills. "There were times that I would rather have been an outside hitter; at the end of the day, I trusted my coach and wherever she felt I fit best," Gracie said. "Every once in a while, my teammate, Megan Moser, would switch things up and set me during our rotation so I could get a hit in." Gracie started playing volleyball in elementary school and continued all the way through her senior year of high school. She was on varsity beginning her eighth grade year and played at the varsity level throughout the rest of her high school career. "My sisters motivated me in so many ways," Gracie said. "I wanted to set a good example for my younger sisters, not only through leadership on the court but also through my faith and the way I carried myself. They pushed me to work hard, give my best, and remember that if I left everything out on the court, I had done my part. Most importantly, they reminded me that all glory belongs to God and that no matter the outcome, I needed to trust in Him and His plan." Hannah was the first of the sisters to set a new school record for assists made in a season. "I remember my sisters either playing on the court with me or looking in the stands, always cheering me on," Hannah said. "In our house, someone always had a volleyball, bouncing it off walls or ceilings. Our dad actually taped a volleyball court in the basement for us to practice with." ADVERTISEMENT Hannah started playing in sixth grade and started playing varsity her junior year of high school. Hannah and Gracie played together for one year, and Gracie and Lilly for two. Lilly played volleyball from elementary school to high school. She was on the varsity team freshman year through her senior year. Contributed / Jodelle Gefroh, Gefroh Photography "I’ve had numerous special memories with both my older sister Gracie and younger sister Violet," Lilly said. "Growing up in the sport, my sister Gracie was a role model for me, demonstrating hard work during her time as a setter, and eventually I was able to play with my younger sister Violet as she grew into the talented setter that she is today. During our time at practices and games, we not only grew as teammates but also closer as sisters." Lilly and Violet played together for one season. "(In our basement) I would pepper by myself on the walls; my parents were not a fan of that and would always beg my parents and sisters to pepper with me outside," Violet said. "... It took lots of begging, but when they agreed, I always made it my time to shine and to show them how much 'better' I was than them." According to the stats, Violet has grown up to be the best out of the four. "I didn’t exactly get a choice to not be a setter," she said. "It’s funny because when I found out I was going to be the JV setter, I cried, actually. But Jacie and my other coaches saw potential in me, and I am so grateful for that now." ADVERTISEMENT In her four years on varsity, Violet made the All-State, Second-Team, accomplished over 1,000 sets in a single season, set a record for most assists in a game, which was set in the 2025 region championship game, and currently holds the school record for assists. She also has the most career assists out of her sisters. "Although we all had a little friendly competition over the years and each of us ended up breaking the other's assist records at some point, ... Violet has the most impressive list of accolades for volleyball," Gracie said. "Violet also had the opportunity to take her team to the state tournament, which was really special. We were always pushing each other to be better." The Thunder has played at the state tournament the past two years and is on track to make it this season. Currently, the Thunder is 20-6 overall, 11-1 in Division B, Region 1 play and 7-1 in Division B, Region 1, District 2. The Region 1 tournament is set to begin on Nov. 9 and will run through Nov. 12. "It is so special thinking back to Violet coming to our games when she was just a toddler and watching her grow into the beautiful young woman she is today," Gracie said. "I remember playing pepper with her outside after practices, and now it feels like we blinked and she's already a senior. Time really does fly by. "I would encourage Violet to soak up every moment, play with all her heart, but most importantly, give all the glory to God," she said. "Remember that he has gifted you with your abilities and talents, and use those gifts to honor him. Enjoy every second of these last few months, trust in His plan through every high and low, and don’t let the outcome take away from the joy of the game or the opportunity God has given