Athlete Profile: Grace Oninski

Seniors always hope to be performing their best in their final high school seasons. Grace Oninski saved her best for last as she’s been a leader for the Oconto Falls volleyball team over the last several weeks.

In the team’s North Eastern Conference win over Clintonville on Oct. 14, Oninski posted 11 attack kills.

She led the team with seven attack kills in a match against Green Bay NEW Lutheran during the Oconto Falls Invite on Oct. 9. She also had six attack kills in a win over Kewaunee that day.

The senior tallied 15 attack kills and four block kills in a five-set win over Wrightstown on Oct. 7. She had a team-leading nine attack kills and three total blocks against Fox Valley Lutheran on Oct. 5.

Back on Sept. 30, Oninski totaled nine attack kills in a win over Waupaca. She had nine attack kills and three total blocks in a win over Little Chute on Sept. 28.

Oninski recorded seven attack kills against Sheboygan Falls during the West De Pere Invite on Sept. 25. She added six attack kills against Green Bay Southwest that that. The senior had five attack kills against West De Pere.

Q: When did your interest in volleyball begin?

A: I struck an interest in volleyball in seventh grade when I was able to play for the middle school team.

Q: What is your favorite part about the volleyball season?

A: My favorite part about the volleyball season is becoming closer and closer with my teammates. The bus rides after a game are especially fun.

Q: What about a volleyball match appeals to you?

A: I find it especially interesting when the match is close and someone gets a huge kill or an ace.

Q: What has volleyball taught you over the years?

A: Volleyball has taught me how to mentally overcome something. Volleyball is a mental game, and you cannot let yourself get inside your own head.

Q: As the season winds down, what’s the key to your team being able to make a deep postseason run?

A: The key to our team making a postseason run is everyone communicating and keeping on playing how we have been playing these last few games.

Q: You’ve really been a big part of the team’s success over the past few weeks. To what would you attribute your strong play?

A: I would attribute my strong playing to my teammates for always cheering me on and keeping me motivated and to my coaches for helping me get to where I am right now.

Q: Do you have any rituals you go through before a volleyball match begins?

A: Before every game, we have a team dance circle where we just get excited to play and sing the school song, which really gets us ready to play.

Q: As the season and your high school career winds down, what has been your favorite memory from playing for the Oconto Falls volleyball team?

A: My favorite memory from playing would have to be coach (Rochell) Otto’s dance moves in the weight room or hitting the ball at the 10-foot line in Waupaca.

Q: As a senior, how have you helped lead the team this fall?

A: As a senior, I have helped the team to become closer than we have ever been before. The key to a good volleyball team is everyone getting along, and I feel that I have helped us to become a very close team.

Q: Favorite movie, TV show and musical artist?

A: Movie — “Grown Ups.” TV show — “Stranger Things.” Musical artist – Luke Combs.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: Not many people know that I enjoy watching the news.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: After high school, I hope to earn my doctorate degree in physical therapy.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Grace Oninski

Sport: Volleyball

Positions: Middle hitter, right side

School: Oconto Falls High School

Year: Senior