After an excellent 2022 fall season that saw the team finish the year with a record of 17-3, the varsity volleyball team is looking to repeat that success and go even further.
The season began at home on Wednesday, Sept. 13, against Taft School. The team faced stiff competition and ultimately lost 3-0. The final score doesn’t do the team justice; this was a competitive match against a strong team as each set was decided by a margin of less than five. The next match was against Greens Farms Academy. This was another very well-fought match, but the Wyverns were unable to get the win, losing by a score of 3-1. The team got their first win against St. Luke’s School and has been on a roll ever since, winning the next two matches against Wilbraham and Monson Academy and Ethel Walker School, out-scoring their opponents 9-2.
The team fielded a strong roster but is looking to fill the shoes left by last year’s graduates. Co-head Coach Cameron Biondi emphasized the important roles of the leaders of the team: senior Co-captain Ava Cashman, senior Co-captain Allie Arcaro, and senior Co-captain Jillian Alexander, who will each be playing new roles for the team. “Each of our captains is sort of in an interesting position this year,” Coach Biondi said. He highlighted Cashman, who is an outside hitter and has a great opportunity to be a leader on the offensive side. Alexander has played middle for the team, but Coach Biondi is hoping to use her versatility on the right side.
Coach Bioni noted the young players on the team who have already made a significant impact, one such being freshman Lila Klinzmann. “Lila was on the team, as a Middle Schooler,” Coach Biondi said. “She’s one of our setters and has a chance to make an impact and do some right-side hitting.” Alexander mentioned another young player, freshman Chloe Delaire. “She has a lot of experience,” she said. “From what I heard, she’s played with a team older than her at Club; that’s pretty impressive.” Alexander and Coach Biondi agreed the future of the team is very bright with the talented freshman on the roster.
Of course, one of the goals the team has for the season is to make it as far as they can in the playoffs and possibly win a championship, but Coach Biondi talked more about building the team chemistry. “With these new players or with the veteran players going into new positions, a main goal would be finding a rhythm or balance,” he said. “We want our players playing their best in terms of positions, but also in terms of how we work our way into a groove as early as we can in the season with these new combinations of people working together.” Alexander brought up a similar point. “I think that this year is definitely about working together,” she said. “This is a team sport. No one is alone. We need to continue to support and uplift each other.”
The season continues for the varsity volleyball team as they face off against one of the strongest teams in New England, King School on Saturday, Oct. 7, at home.