Fall is always an exciting time for the students at New Providence High School—new classes, new teachers and of course, a new athletic season. Since the third week of August, the Pioneers volleyball team has been working hard on perfecting their techniques to prepare for a successful season.
The team is led by senior captains Amelia Ekert and Andrea Banu. Both three-year varsity veterans, Ekert and Banu have seen many changes to the team. “We just added a libero player to the team, freshman Emily Eng,” says Ekert. The libero is a defensive player who receives the serves from the opposing team. Other additions to the varsity team are senior Rosanna Coppola and sophomore Erica Boyd.
As competitive as volleyball is though, all of the girls get along very well. “We are all from different grades, but we’re all friends and have fun playing with each other. And we have no problem with team bonding parties either!” remarks Ekert. Senior opposite-hitter Cara Meddick concurs, “We’ve played some tough teams, but we always come together and play our best.” Sam Gorny, senior middle-hitter, affectionately calls the team “a family.”
As of October 22, the team’s record is 6-15. The team is hoping to avenge its losses by winningDaytonandLindenin future games. But winning six games has definitely boosted the morale of the volleyball team. “Losing eight seniors two years ago has made it really hard for us to come back and win,” says senior middle-hitter Jenny Boyd.
Head Coach Marla Malinauskas still has high hopes for the season. “Our goal is to make our Conference, and then go to States.” When asked what the team needs to do to meet these goals, Malinauskas said, “the girls have a lot of talent and potential on the court, but they need to push through mentally to win.”
Players who always stand out to Malinauskas are junior Elaine House and seniors Ekert and Banu: “House and Ekert, both setters, have powerful serves and the drive to get the ball. And Banu is a skilled outside-hitter.” Other returning varsity members include seniors Meddick, Gorny, Boyd, Cara Esposito, Katie Zimmerman, and Alex Gosiewski, and juniors Lena Miskulin, Samantha Moreland, and Myah Campbell-Reaves.
“I’m looking forward to a good season,” remarks opposite-hitter Gosiewski. If one thing’s for certain, it’s that the positive attitudes of the girls will get them far in their competitive season.
UPDATE: The girls finished their season with a record of 8-15 with key wins against Linden, Dayton, and Hillside, Summit, and Plainfield.
