The New Providence girls volleyball team has been having an impressive season so far, displaying a 9-4 record. This squad is led by head coach Alessandra Finis, who is in her 8th year of coaching.

The season starts on August 18th where the players have to go through three days of tryouts. During tryouts, they are tested on various skills to assess their level. Conditioning is also tested during the days, players have to run 2 miles in 20 minutes.

The team’s only losses have come against really strong teams like Cranford, Summit, Mount Saint Mary’s, and Rahway. They’ve also had big wins, including beating Scotch Plains for the first time in 8 years.

After losing 5 key players to graduation last year, Finis had to rebuild the team. This year the roster includes 10 seniors, including 6 returning players, along with a junior, sophomore and freshman. With the seniors bringing key experience and the younger players having skills from club teams, the team is aiming for a strong and successful run in the state tournament.

Captains Katie Heitmann, Ellie Liu, and Haley Kessler look to lead this team throughout the season with their stand out performances. Katie Heitmann leads the team in aces, Ellie Liu leads in kills, and Haley Kessler leads in digs. Their skills and leadership will help the team compete successfully this season.

Other significant players Finis hopes to make a impact this season include Allison Maisch, Elisabeth Pazinko, Stelle Lima, Sofia Chomiak, Caroline Babbit, Hailey Geata, and Madeleine Rooney.

In addition to their success on the court, the team has been extremely successful in their fundraising. Last year, they were the second highest team in the nation to raise money for breast cancer awareness for The Side Out Foundation.

On October 13, the team is hosting their 8th annual dig pink hoping to raise as much money.

Teamwork is one of the most important aspects of high school sports because it teaches players to come together and work towards a shared goal. Coach Finis hopes her players leave their high school careers knowing the importance of being a team player. She said, “The ability to work with a group of people, friends or not, to achieve a common goal is something that carries into every part of life.”

As the season goes on, the team is learning that volleyball is as much mental as it is physical. Ellie Liu, a three-year varsity player and captain, said, “When you make a mistake in volleyball, you can’t dwell on it, but instead you have to focus on the next point and what you can do to not make that mistake again.”

The team is learning how to stay calm and positive during games. Coach Finis is helping everyone practice things like imagining doing well and staying focused. Katie Heitman , another three year varsity player and captain, said her role of being a captain is to, “help the team’s foundation; maintaining focus and skill on the court no matter the state of the game.”

The team is working hard on both skills and staying positive, and it’s paying off. With the captains leading and the coach helping, everyone is ready to face whatever comes next. There are more games coming up, and by staying focused and supporting each other, the team is getting stronger and ready to do well in every game.