For the first time in MTHS history, the Lady Falcon’s volleyball team took home the win at the conference championship.
This was not an easy road for the varsity team. Coached by Mr. Michael Collins, the girls started practicing before the school year even started, and it all paid off.
“I believe the level of play in the GMC is gaining ground on the rest of the state,” says Collins to the Sentinel. “This is evident by the [greater] number of teams from our conference that qualified for the state playoffs and by their [higher] seeds. However, as a whole, there is still work to be done to match the level of consistency many programs in other areas of New Jersey demonstrate year in and year out.”
The varsity team worked hard and earned the GMC championship title after defeating John F. Kennedy Memorial High School 2-1 (25-22, 12-25, 25-20).
Aside from the hard work, dedication and practice, the team was stacked with gifted athletes across the board.
The seniors alone are undeniably talented and have earned their titles as captains for the team.
The first senior captain, Sarah McGrath, is an amazing softball player, along with starting for the volleyball team. McGrath had 93 kills this season alone. A kill is a successful, legal, point-scoring play. It can be from a spike attack, tip or dump.
Following McGrath with 68 kills is senior captain Kassidy Utheim, who is also a starter for the MTHS basketball team.
Nicole Van Dzura, another senior captain, played a huge role this season, becoming one of the most important players on the team. Van Dzura has a leading 113 kills. She also plays a role on the MTHS softball team in spring.
Senior captain Emily Guerin is a star player on the lacrosse field as well as in volleyball. Guerin played liberal for the past two seasons and has a team-leading 50 digs. Digging is the ability to prevent the ball from touching one’s court after a spike or attack, particularly a ball that is nearly touching the ground
Victoria Kauffman is another valuable player and senior captain. As the setter, Kauffman has had a season total of 413 assists.
Serena Zappone does not start, but she is a necessity to the team as a setter and senior captain next to Kauffman.
Another top player, but not a captain, is Aya Casiaso with 112 kills and a two year starter as only a sophomore.
All 16 girls have worked their butts off to be able to achieve this win, and they are ecstatic about it.
“I can tell you that the feeling is indescribable,” says McGrath. “Being the first volleyball team to make school history is absolutely phenomenal and I couldn’t be any prouder of the team. We have had great success this year and it is a year that I will never forget.”
The whole school was behind the team with their historical win. Twitter was instantly flooded with messages of congratulations and best wishes to all of the girls.
“It is really incredible,” says sophomore Rebecca Martin of the win. “The girls have worked so hard and I am so proud of them. Playing volleyball in the past, I really see how much work goes into everything and how exhausting it all can be. These girls deserve it all.”
After this incredible win, there is no denying the other teams will be striving for the same goal.
The 2015 Varsity girls volleyball team has proven to everyone that with hard work and dedication, you can defy all odds.
What do you think of the GMC win?