Elle Thomas has her sights set on her final season of high school softball that starts in a couple months. She’s also eying college ball after graduation, with plans to perhaps play for Indian River State College.

But first the Okeechobee High senior from the Brighton Reservation wrapped up a stellar, four-year volleyball career.

“It’s been a ton of fun,” she said about this season following the team’s final regular season match, a 3-0 loss at South Fork High School on Oct. 14 in Stuart.

On Oct. 5, Thomas was among five seniors honored on the team’s senior night before the Brahmans hosted Jensen Beach.

Each senior was introduced to the crowd and escorted by family members. Thomas was guided by her parents Laverne and Jason. Her younger sister Lexi, who also plays in the OHS program, presented flowers.

The other seniors honored were Kiersten Kennedy, Anja Koivunen, Morgan Tucker and Joy Whipple.

“I’m proud to be a four-year letterman and be able to play with my seniors all four years,” Thomas said through the public address announcer’s introduction.

At the time, Okeechobee was in the midst of an outstanding season. The Brahmans entered the match with a 10-2 record, but Jensen Beach emerged with a 3-0 win. Each set was close. The scores were 27-25, 25-21, 26-24.

After the loss, the Brahmans struggled to notch wins. They finished with an 11-11 record that included a loss to Suncoast in the district playoffs and a 3-1 setback to Merritt Island in a Class 5A regional quarterfinal.

Thomas, one of the team’s top defenders, had 117 receptions in the regular season, good enough for fourth highest on the team, according to statistics on MaxPreps.com. She also had 78 digs and served 14 aces prior to the start of the playoffs.

Sophomore middle hitter Nena Youngblood, also from the tribe, registered 11 kills in limited playing time as a sub on varsity this season.

Although Thomas’s high school volleyball career is over, there is plenty of talent from the tribe still with the program, such as Youngblood and the JV’s Lexi Thomas, Giselle Micco and Tiyanni Anderson.

“I wish them good luck,” Thomas said.