Varsity volleyball team goes to state championship

Yasemin Kalpakci and Allie Hartman

Nov 3, 2025

Setter Baylee Tanton (11) sets to Claudia Meditz (12) at the state championship match.

On Wednesday, Oct. 29 the McIntosh varsity volleyball team competed the 2025 GHSA 5A State Championship match against Woodward Academy at the LakePoint Sports Complex. The scores were 16-25 loss for the first set, 20-25 loss for the second set, 25-22 win for the third and fourth set and 4-15 loss on the final set. The lady chiefs volleyball team is ranked ninth in Georgia, and played against the Woodward Eagles which are now ranked fourth in Georgia.

Outside and opposite hitter, Claudia Meditz (12), spikes against Woodward Academy on Sept. 12 match. (Yasemin Kalpakci)

This was not the first time McIntosh played against Woodward. Earlier in the season, the lady chiefs won against Woodward 2-0, and lost two other games against Woodward.

Before the game the McIntosh band, cheerleaders and dance team gave the team a warm send off.

“[The drum out] was surprising. I didn’t expect that many people to be there. It was very fun, I’m glad I got to experience it,” junior Lina Wang said.

Players shared their excitement to make it to the 2025 state championship. Senior Claudia Meditz recently celebrated her 1000th career kill ahead of the state championships.

The state bound volleyball team being sent off by the McIntosh students and parents. (Yasemin Kalpakci)

“It felt really exciting [to go to state], especially since it’s my senior year,” Meditz said.

The team reflected on the outcome of the game.

“I think maybe [we could improve on] sliding out a bit better. Our serve receive wasn’t totally great in our last set, but I really think Woodward’s a momentum team, and they kind of got hot. They obviously have two D1 commits, so they’re doing pretty well.

I feel like we handled ourselves pretty well after losing the first two sets, but coming back and winning the second two sets just wasn’t enough in the moment,” Senior Braelyn Ottolini said.

The team faced a troubling game as they lost the first two sets but gained their momentum back for the second two sets. The last set sealed the teams fate.

“I think we just need to start stronger and no get down on ourselves and just finish strong,” Meditz said.

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About the Contributors

Yasemin Kalpakci, Features Editor

Yasemin Kalpakci is a senior at McIntosh High School and currently serves as the Features Editor for the McIntosh Trail. She joined the Trail staff in early 2024 and was part of the staff that won the SNO Distinguished Site Award in both the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years. In addition to her journalism accomplishments, Kalpakci has also achieved success in other areas. She won a nation-wide best of SNO award for her story, “McIntosh honors Vinny, the service dog of teacher and veteran Christopher Judy.” Kalpakci also won an All-Georgia award for her Critical Review, “Opinion: ‘I was a bad girl’ but was she?” and a Superior in Health/Medical Reporting with, “SOS: ending the stigma around finding help.” In addition to her journalism accomplishments, Kalpakci has also achieved success in other areas. Her art has been published on the board of education in the 2023-2024 school year. Kalpakci has been involved in the Beta Club since elementary school and is an active volunteer at animal shelters and various school activities. She was instrumental in creating her old school’s World Food Club, promoting cultural exchange through food. Outside of school, Kalpakci enjoys listening to Lana Del Rey, reading AO3, binge-watching Gilmore Girls, and spending hours on Pinterest. Like many high school students, she’s uncertain about her future plans but hopes to figure it out soon.

Allie Hartman, Interactive Design Editor

Allie Hartman is a sophomore at McIntosh and this is her second year on the Trail Staff. Hartman enjoys reading and writing. In addition, she was on the McIntosh JV girls tennis team. Outside of school, Hartman likes to play tennis with her sister and hang out with her friends. As a part of the 2025-2026 Trail staff, Hartman hopes to focus on writing truthful and interesting stories.

Jozlynn Smith, Staff

Smith is a two year veteran on the McIntosh Trail. She is a sophomore and is also serving her first year on the McIntosh varsity cheer squad. She wants to focus on getting the truth out for others to read and relate to. Smith wants her stories to give people the enlightenment of their peers, and give people the spotlight they deserve. Smith believes that everyone is a story. In 2023, Smith joined an international writing competition and came in the top 10 of all the people in her state. She wrote an outstanding essay, giving an insight of the book she was assigned. Placing in the top 10 in her state, Smith received an award that is hung up where everyone can see at her grandparents house. Smith has recently received a Best of SNO for her story Deer Season. Smith is very passionate about writing and doing things she loves. She hopes to bring joy to her readers and write stories that inspire everyone.