As the 2023-2024 NH volleyball season comes to an end, there are many accomplishments the girls have achieved. With winning their second title in three years they’ve really done an outstanding job in showing their hard work and team camaraderie . Both Varsity and JV have put in their time and effort into making the team stronger.
“The most memorable moment was the JV Whitesboro game. NH lost the first game and then won the second game but we were very close in score and the energy was very high, and then we won and we were all happy and celebrating,” said Olivia Sonson, a JV team member in 9th grade at Perry Jr High.
It seems like having that support and love from the crowds really helps keep that adrenaline going.
To most people, having a bond with your teammates is key to having good team ethics.
“I made bonds with people I didn’t know I would make a bond with, and now they’re like my second family” said Olivia Sonson.
As an audience, we really enjoy watching the team play their hearts out on the court, but do we really understand the struggle and difficulty behind the net?
“Volleyball is a team sport, but it’s also very individual. With only six girls on the court at a time, it’s very easy to see who messed up and who’s struggling. Our team tries to say ‘have a mindset like a goldfish’ that way we can let go of mistakes and move into the next point, but it’s a really hard skill and easier said than done,” explained Elise Courto, Varsity Team Captain.
Parents of the team members have also put in their part when it comes to the team: supporting their kids emotionally and physically. I’m sure the girls always feel loved when they have loved ones there to support their hard work and efforts into their games.
“A moment that made me most proud of my daughter while playing volleyball was when she served 16 points in a row. I was feeling excited and nervous because every time she served I thought ‘is this the one she’s going to miss?’” said Wynter Rodriguez, parent of JV volleyball player Olivia Sonson.
Parents also participate in volleyball tournaments showering their kids with love and support.
“It was cool to meet families from all over NY state and out-of-state families from Massachusetts and out of the country from Canada. It was also great to see different skill levels and for our girls to be pushed to pay tougher teams,” Wynter Rodriguez said.
And finally, with the 2023-2024 season all done. New Hartford is very proud of the team for winning sectionals. Congratulations!
“This is so memorable because each and every one of the girls on the team earned this win and we overall had a very fun and successful season!” Elise Courto said.
