The 2024 Girls’ Volleyball team has this year marked for success, and with six veterans returning, it should feel like a new beginning with everyone going in one direction with one mindset. The four seniors at the helm hope to be able to create an atmosphere that will foster success. 

The team is halfway through the season and currently is 7-2 overall and have faced tough competition, but gained quality experience from those situations. One league loss to a strong Kellenberg team and a non-conference loss to Smithtown sent the Friars on a 5-0 stretch against league opponents.  Coach Newman has been in the CHSAA league for over 30 years and time brings knowledge. When asked; What is it you know about this league that when the girls go to face some of their competitors you can guide them? “Knowing the coaches in this league for so long helps a lot in preparing for a match. Each coach brings a different skill set to their team, so it helps to understand what their strong skills are and then we make adjustments to help us succeed.”  The adjustments hopefully will be key once playoffs begin in the last week of October. 

Knowledge is power and the ability to know how to adjust has helped the team go 3-0 in matches vs St. John The Baptist, Sacred Heart, and St. Dominics. The Friars will face each league team twice, and the team hopes what they have learned will keep them in the win column. 

Staying in that win column will not only require adjustments on the court but will mean the team must have knowledge of each other’s skills. The four seniors, Ava Close, Tiffany London, Julia May O’Connor, and Lauren Powers, all played together last year with London, O’Connor, and Powers joining varsity as sophomores and being part of he CHSAA Championship squad in 2022. With skilled seniors setting examples,  O’Connor was asked – I understand the main goal is to win but with a fairly new team, what is one aspect or some aspects that you feel will get you to the championship this year? 

“As a team with mostly new players, team chemistry is going to be key for us. Building up trust on and off the court is what’s going to push us towards that championship. Support, communication, and playing on the same page on every play is more important than just our skills combined. When we play as a team, not just individually, that alone will bring us to the championship.”

Success is never easy, but with strong leadership this year and players who know the league, combined with a coach with extensive knowledge, a championship is very possible. The Friars brought the chip home last in 2022 in nail-biting fashion vs Kellenberg. The Firebirds are currently 10-0 in league play but a determined Friar team that has gotten around them before can get around them again. O’Connor and Doyle lead the team in kills and Junior Isabella Stevens-Cohen leads in assists. Four seniors, seven Junior, three sophomores, and two freshmen is a mix that gives confidence and shows depth. 

The answer to this year’s championship as O’Connor noted will require more than skill but a cohesive unit. Come out to see the varsity girls’ volleyball team in their march to victory.

Photos by Friar Daniel Rodgers ’26 Story by Staff Writer

SA defeated St John the Baptist 3-0 on 9/18 

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS

You MUST attend all dates in order to be considered 

All tryout information will be posted on Google Classroom    Code:  ztb6ogx

Head Coach Donna Newman dnewman@stanthonyshs.org 

Monday, August 19th 

10th, 11th and 12th graders            9:00 -11:00 AM  arrive by 8:30 AM

Monday, August 19th 

9th graders   4:30 - 6:30 PM arrive by 4 PM 

Tuesday, August 20th  (first round of cuts will be made that evening)

10, 11th and 12th  9:00 -11:00 AM  

9th graders and some of the sophomores   4:30 -6:30 PM 

Wednesday, August 21st 

Varsity practice will be  8:30  - 3:00 PM 

JV Final tryouts    4:00  - 6:00 PM

Thursday, August 22nd 

First practice for JV  & Varsity practice  8:30  - 3:00 PM