The New Hartford Girls Varsity Volleyball Team has been making waves this season with their exceptional performance and teamwork. This year many girls, including new talent, are working hard to fill the shoes of valuable seniors who graduated last year. This year’s 2024-2025 girls’ Varsity Volleyball team is a group of dedicated and talented athletes, showing remarkable progress and teamwork on the court. Their captains Mia McDermott (Senior), Madison Freiberger (Senior), and Keegan Matthews (Sophomore) have led these girls through multiple impressive victories already this season. The girl’s hard work will pay off as they have a fantastic season ahead.
One of the standout aspects of this team is their strong sense of teamwork and mutual support. Each player brings unique and important strengths to the team. On a volleyball team, every position is important and serves a different purpose. The required teamwork that is created between the players is outstanding.
Riley Heenan, a junior, says, “I play libero and I love it because I can help out my team with defensive plays and have a presence in the backcourt.”
Heenan’s position is super important because they specialize in defensive skills and are usually the best passers on the team. They help keep the ball in play and ensure the team can set up good attacks. They also can replace any back-row player, making them the last line of defense, which gives the team more flexibility.
“My position is the middle hitter, and my favorite part about being on the team is how close we all are,” said Leah Brennan.
Brennan’s position is crucial because they are the best blockers and can make quick attacks to catch the other team off guard. The position plays a key role in both offense and defense, as they make powerful spikes and can block the other team’s hits.
The diversity of skills on the team contributes to the girls being able to come together and work with each other’s strengths so they become very successful this season. Many girls on the team have continued to mention how much they love and appreciate the friendships they have created through all of the rigorous training and success.
“ We lost a lot of valuable starters that graduated last year so we are looking forward to the new talent that is being brought to the team. I personally loved all of the girls over the years I’ve played with because each year new girls have different strengths that they bring to the team,” Mia McDermott commented.
The team had to adjust to a loss of four valuable seniors this year whose talent helped lead the team to their sectional championship title. McDermott, one of the captains, is confident that the team will be on their way to sectionals again because of the new talent and strengths brought to the team this year.
As for future hopes, McDermott says, “This season I hope to see the potential of our team come together to win sectionals. As one of the captains, I strive to make our team the best we can be while still enjoying every second.”
Last year, the girls were 16 to 1 in their regular season games. Out of 17 games the team only lost one to Rome Free Academy, their first opening game. This year the same has happened, New Hartford lost its first home game. The team this year is 3 to 1 as they lost their first game but now, they could repeat last year’s results and go on to win every game the rest of the season including sectionals. This goal is difficult, but not impossible for these girls.
As the season continues, the New Hartford Girls Varsity Volleyball team remains focused on their goals, aiming to secure another sectional title at the end of their season. With their determination, dedication, and hard work they are sure to continue their impressive run and achieve great success.
