MIAMI COUNTY - The Miami County Special Olympics volleyball team won bronze medals at the Special Olympics Ohio State Summer Games Tournament on May 30 at The Ohio State University. Members of the 2026 volleyball team include: Aelaf Ayichew, Jamie Cook, Braxton Green, Jaiden Grove, Laura Healey, Andrea Koether and Larenzo Savage.

​“We are so proud of our team for making it so far this year, but it’s about so much more than winning games,” said Patrick Kilbane, Community Connections Manager at MCBDD and local coordinator for Miami County Special Olympics. “Opportunities like this open new doors for our athletes and help them grow in confidence and independence. We are grateful for the opportunity this year, and we couldn’t do it without our donors and volunteers.”

The team was coached this year by volunteer Joan Green with support from volunteer assistant coaches Laura Lucas and Jacklyn Vietor, and volunteer scorekeeper Donovan Richard.

Miami County Special Olympics is operated by the Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities as an affiliate of Special Olympics Ohio and the internationally recognized Special Olympics organization. Miami County Special Olympics offers a wide variety of year-round individual and team sports for anyone with an intellectual disability, ages 8 and older. Sports included in Miami County are basketball, bocce, bowling, cheerleading, golf, softball, swimming and volleyball. Each program promotes athletes' emotional, physical and social health and instills a strong work-ethic and sense of teamwork. Through successful experiences, athletes build confidence and a positive self-image which carries over into the classroom, jobs and community. For more information about Miami County Special Olympics or how to donate or volunteer, visit miamicountydd.org or call (937) 440-3000.