After a dominating 15-1 season and an unfortunate loss in last year’s championship to powerhouse Hotchkiss, Girls Volleyball hopes to bounce back and win it all in the upcoming season. A week before the team’s first game, expectations are already high. Even though the team has lost several standout players, including former Captain Isabelle Englestead ’09, Andover will still be a competitive opponent on the court. “I’m already very impressed by our practices so far,” said Co-Captain Melissa Yan ’10. She continued, “We’re hoping to stay healthy and strong throughout the season.” “We had one of the best preseasons ever this year. We have a core of strong returners and a huge influx of very talented new players,” added Viola Rothschild ’10, a returning opposite. This season Andover has several players that will be key in contributing to the tam’s success. Co-Captains Meghan McCafferty ’10 and Yan both have high expectations of leading the team to the championship. “They are both incredibly dynamic players and off the court. They’re really making an effort to put together a very new and very strong team,” said Rothschild. Coach Clyfe Beckwith said, “All nine starters will stand out in their own way, with excellent backup by Sarah Onorato ’11, Alice Tao ’11 and Shelby Carpenter ’12.” New acquisitions to the team will also contribute to a successful year. Setter Chelsea Ward ’12, outside hitter Zoe Roschach ’12 and middle hitter Alexi Bell ’13 are all vital additions the varsity team. All three players will start for Andover this season and help match the victorious season the team had last year. With several losses and many additions this season, the team plans to begin by working on team communication and chemistry. “We’re all willing to work hard, it’s just a matter of getting to know each other on and off the court,” said Rothschild. “Our team certainly has a lot of depth this year,” said Yan. “We’re going to take some time to bond and improve on our teamwork.” With a solid preseason and a week of practices before its first game, the Girls Volleyball team plans to use its abundance of talent and improved team chemistry to start the season off on a good note. Under the experience of Coach Beckwith and Coach Victor Svec and the leadership of Co-Captains McCafferty and Yan, watch out for another championship run for Andover volleyball.
