INDIAN RIVER — It’s not easy to get over the top.
Just ask the Inland Lakes Bulldogs, who had multiple chances to win a regional championship only to come up short, whether it was losing to Mackinaw City in a classic girls basketball final in 2023, or struggling against a pair of high-powered St. Ignace teams in 2024 and 2025.
But 2026 was almost like a last dance of sorts for the Bulldogs, who returned several players from those squads who were unsuccessful in winning a regional crown.
Despite the adversity they went through, these Bulldogs showed resiliency, mental toughness and true passion as they broke through to capture the school’s first-ever regional crown last March.
Because of their breakthrough, the Bulldogs are the Daily Tribune’s 2026 girls sports team of the year.
Let’s look back at coach Daryl Vizina’s Bulldogs and the journey they took us on.
Most Valuable Player: Chloe Robinson — I-L’s most consistent performer over the last three seasons, Robinson was the go-to player on offense and was equally as strong defensively.
Robinson proved her value by willing Inland Lakes to several victories, including those critical postseason triumphs. The Division 4 all-state honorable mention had her own milestone moment during the regular season, becoming the eighth I-L player, boy or girl, in history to reach 1,000 career points.
Robinson’s quality, toughness and leadership were key reasons the Bulldogs had their best campaign in program victory. Thankfully for Robinson, her basketball career isn’t over after signing to play for Bay College in Escanaba.
What a high school career for a terrific player.
Why they broke through: Superb supporting cast — Robinson wasn’t the only reason why the Bulldogs won more than 20 games, a regional title and a district title last winter.
Robinson had an outstanding supporting cast around her, including a pit bull of a defender in Mary Myshock, a 3-point assassin in Addison Byrne and a dynamic center in Ava Belford. Whether it was Myshock locking up an opponent’s top offensive player, Byrne drilling treys from the corner or Belford showing her quality and toughness inside, all three were critical to I-L’s success. The trio, along with Robinson, complemented each other so well on the court.
Unsung heroes: Faith Lehre and Khali Woollard — When you’re trying to win championships, it helps to have glue players that’ll do anything it takes to win.
That’s what the Bulldogs had in guards Faith Lehre and Khali Woollard, who provided great minutes for Inland Lakes when called upon. Lehre made her presence known by being one of those scrappy guards that Vizina loved, and the same went for Woollard, who did a solid job of running the point guard position in several games.
And here’s some more great news. Those two guards return as seniors next winter.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention Kalli Williamson and Molly Monthei, who provided I-L with great guard depth.
Defining moment: Regional final win over Newberry — When I mentioned adversity earlier, I meant what the Bulldogs had to endure prior to their regional final showdown with Newberry.
The game, originally slated for a Wednesday in Cheboygan, was postponed multiple times because of bad weather and the closure of the Mackinac Bridge. Finally, the Bulldogs got their chance at regional glory when they took on Newberry in a Saturday-afternoon matinee.
In classic Inland Lakes fashion, the Bulldogs found a way to grind out a win and celebrated by cutting down the nets. It was an emotional, relieving moment for everyone involved with I-L basketball, especially after years of heartbreak.
While the Bulldogs succumbed to eventual state champion Ishpeming in the quarterfinals a few days later, their giant goal was already achieved.
Perfect farewell: Coach Vizina’s goodbye — After the season, Vizina, who guided Inland Lakes to six successful years, stepped down and took the Cheboygan boys basketball coaching job.
If you want to build a program that’s gritty, scrappy and will give it everything, you probably should give Vizina a call, and that’s what the Chiefs did. It’ll be an interesting new opportunity for Vizina to lead a Cheboygan program that’s fresh off winning a first district title in 11 years.
But around Inland Lakes circles, what he accomplished during his time won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Girls Team of the Year Honorable Mentions
Cheboygan Volleyball, Mackinaw City Softball, Onaway Softball, Pellston Softball, NMCA Basketball
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Inland Lakes basketball is 2025-26 area girls sports team of the year
