Blind Brook volleyball team ends season closer than ever

With fall weather approaching fast, the Blind Brook volleyball team’s fall 2021 season has finally come to an end. After a long season of ups and downs, the team ended with a 2-17 record. The season was predicted to be difficult as the Trojans were assigned a tough schedule. In addition, the team had lost several graduating players last year, leaving it to five seniors and a younger team to pick it up from last year’s 8-1 regular season (played in the spring due to COVID) record. The Trojans made it all the way to the finals in 2020-21 post-season play. Multiple injuries early in the season this year didn’t help either, with some of the team’s star talent being out for games at a time.

Even with the early season struggles, the Trojans maintained a high morale throughout. They managed to continuously come together and stayed together for two wins, against the Port Chester Rams and the Valhalla Vikings. Though this year’s team was lower in numbers, they held their own against much larger squads and maintained tight scores in most of their games.

With a younger team, many of the players had never even played together before, but the group quickly became tight-knit and created strong relationships. Because of their low numbers, the players had to accommodate the team and attempt new positions, which would never have worked without the cooperation of the entire squad. “In the beginning of the season, we weren’t that close, but we bonded very quickly, and the team chemistry rose,” said senior captain Siena Piacente. “A lot of the players were willing to try new positions, and they adapted very quickly.”

One upside of having this new, young team is that it can stay largely the same next year. The Trojans will have the advantage of having played together before and not having to form a new bond.

“The girls worked hard this season with a tough schedule,” said head coach Gina Carlone. “We are losing five seniors. I hope that next year the girls can continue to pursue the team goals we have set for the Blind Brook volleyball program.” With the graduating seniors, the fate of next year’s season will rely heavily on the connection between the juniors and underclassmen from this year.

“It’s important that the team always focuses on communication and always gives 110% at practice every single time so they can perform in games just as well,” said Piacente regarding goals she has for next year’s team. “They have to give it their all whenever they step on the court, and it will be seen in the games. Although it was my last year, a lot of the juniors and underclassmen showed a very promising future. Hopefully they will only get stronger as the years go on.”