Aunt, niece are Viking teammates
The chances of playing high school volleyball with your aunt are remote at best. But that's exactly the case during the Minneota volleyball season this fall.
McKenzie Tolk, the Vikings' senior libero, is the youngest of eight children to Bob and Tami Tolk. McKenzie is the aunt of Emma Bottelberghe, a sophomore hitter for the Vikings.
Emma is the daughter of Matt and Tessa Bottelberghe. Tessa is McKenzie's older sister.
"A lot of people are very shocked that McKenzie is my aunt," Emma said.
While it may be a little confusing keeping everyone straight, there's more.
Keeping the sport in the family, Christian Broadcasting Network livestreams many of the Vikings' volleyball matches with McKenzie's brother, Dylan Tolk, doing the play-by-play and his sisters, Kelsea and Meagan, helping out with commentary.
"I was interviewed by Kelsea after our Homecoming match against RTR," said McKenzie, who was recently named Minneota's Homecoming queen. "It was good, and I did not think that it was very awkward. It was just like having a conversation with my big sis."
"Some of my friends have told me a little bit about how off it is that I am playing with my niece because I am so young," McKenzie revealed. "Some teammates have mentioned how awesome it is to be playing with my niece and that it is a unique thing to be doing because it is something that not many people experience."
Jordyn Tolk, whose parents are Chris and Ashley Tolk, is a JV player for Minneota. Chris is also one of McKenzie's brothers.
The eight Tolk siblings are: Christopher, 39; Tessa Bottelberghe, 38; Desiree Timmerman, 32; Meagan, 31; Kelsea, 27; Dylan, 25; Isabelle, 19; and McKenzie, 17.
"I am so thankful how devoted my parents and siblings are to coming and watching me play," McKenzie said. "I love being able to have a big cheering section just for me and Emma."
"A lot of our family loves volleyball and it is a big talk in our family," Emma remarked.
Still not confused enough? How about the fact that McKenzie was technically an aunt before she was born and her nephew Mason Bottelberghe, was born eight days before she was.
Emma's sibling lineup is: Mason, 17; Emma, 15; Caleb, 14; Noah, 10; Aiden, 6, and Georgia, 1.
McKenzie and Emma are enjoying playing together on a successful team.
"Emma and I always joke around with each other," McKenzie noted.
"She makes fun of me on the court, and I just have to take it because I have to respect my elders," Emma joked.
Note: One of the interesting celebrations that will occur within the Tolk family next year are four milestone birthdays within three months of one another. Sandy Tolk, McKenzie's grandmother, turns 80 next March, while her son, Bob, will turn 60 in February. Bob's son, Chris, will be 40 in March, and Bob's daughter, Isabelle, turns 20 in April.