Coming off the back of an undefeated season, Western Mass. Championship and state title, the volleyball team had a target on their back and expectations to live up to. Now, having completed a Western Mass. three-peat, it is safe to say they have lived up to those expectations.
The team ended the season with a 19-3 record, the most wins of any Greylock team. Among those wins, the team’s win against Lenox in the finals of the PVIAC Western Mass. Class C Tournament on October 27th stood out. “I think that was our best game overall and I think that just highlights our whole team, because it was a bunch of all of our best moments,” said senior captain Kelsey MacHaffie.
“It was a testament to how far we came with many new players this season,” said senior captain Kylie Sweren. “I’m proud of how we were able to unite as a strong team again this year.”
The team has focused heavily on creating a positive and collaborative environment. “Some of my favorite memories from this year have been hanging out with the team on and off the court,” said junior Kiera Kristensen. That positive mindset had an edge to it too: the team was eager to prove those who labeled it as only a rebuilding year wrong.
In a back and forth game like volleyball, a mindset like that is very important. “On the court, there’s a lot of stress and pressure that goes on when you’re playing a hard game, so making sure our mindsets are good is something that will definitely help us in the future,” said Kristensen.
This year, to accommodate the number of students interested in participating in the sport, there are two junior varsity teams. One is a more traditional JV team, and one comprises many developing players learning to play the game. One major benefit of forming two teams is the increase of playing time for the athletes. However, the lack of multiple gyms at most facilities meant that the team spent long hours at away games. “We had to leave school early and then wouldn’t get back until nine or ten, which meant doing a lot of homework on the bus, in hallways and on bleachers,” said Sweren.
The takeaways are still overwhelmingly positive though. “It’s been an amazing experience all around,” said MacHaffie. For the future, MacHaffie hopes the team will keep “continuing on with the legacy that Greylock has.”
