The 2020 season is going to be all about progress and development for the North Haven girls’ volleyball team. Head Coach Brianna Kleckner’s club will kick off the campaign by hosting Sheehan at Fred Kelly Gymnasium at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1.

North Haven went 10-11 on its way to qualifying for the Class L State Tournament last fall, but graduated several starters from its 2019 squad. Consequently, Coach Kleckner will be relying on players like senior libero Alex Ferriouolo, senior defensive specialist Sophia DelVecchio, and junior middle blocker/outside hitter Eveani Okwuosa to lead the team on the court.

“We finished last season with a record of 10-11, but it is behind us. We had a large senior class and, therefore, lost a majority of our starting lineup,” said Kleckner. “This season, Alex, Sophia, and Eveani are our key returning players. All three are going to be essential to our success this season.”

Ferriouolo is the lone senior captain on this year’s team. Last season, Ferriouolo earned All-SCC Second Team honors after playing a huge defensive role for North Haven.

“Alex has worked incredibly hard these past several years to get where she is today. She truly is a role model student-athlete,” Kleckner said. “Alex cares about her teammates, our team success, and sets the example the moment she walks on the floor. She is the heart of our defense, and we are beyond proud of her.”

Kleckner feels that a solid defense should be North Haven’s calling card this season. Kleckner added that North Haven’s players are motivated to improve as a unit.

“Defense is going to be our strong suit, which for us is awesome, because defense wins games,” Kleckner said. “We are very fortunate to have a roster of players who work so well together and want the same outcome—to work hard at improving upon the things we need to in order to be the best possible team we can be.”

Kleckner, who’s entering her fifth year as head coach, has been impressed with the attitude and work ethic of her athletes throughout her tenure. Kleckner said that North Haven’s players never hang their heads when things aren’t going well. Instead, they fight back with everything they have.

“Our team has a great attitude and work ethic, and we could not be more proud of them for that,” said Kleckner. “As for our offense, our team is absorbing the information and talent needed to elevate our plan of attack. We are chipping away at the things we need to in order to keep our opponent guessing. Volleyball is a mental game, and we need to capitalize on that as much as possible.”

The 2020 season won’t be a traditional one with the COVID-19 pandemic still looming large across the country. The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC), based on guidance from the state Department of Health (DPH), has put several safety measures in place, such as having athletes wear masks during matches, in order to make the season happen.

“The guidelines put in place by the CIAC and DPH provided our staff and our athletes with a sense of security. As much as we wanted to get back into the gym, we also wanted to feel safe,” Coach Kleckner said. “We are very lucky to have the support of our district, who has provided us with the resources we need to help keep our staff and athletes safe. For that, we are tremendously grateful.”

In addition to coaching volleyball, Kleckner is also a counselor at North Haven Middle School. Coach Kleckner enjoys working with the student-athletes in town and feels proud about how her players have dealt with the setbacks throughout the past few months.

“I genuinely don’t think words are going to do any justice in describing how much our volleyball program means to me. I love this community, and I cannot wait to see what our group of athletes accomplishes this season,” said Kleckner. “With all of the obstacles thrown our way this season, our athletes have chosen to persevere. I am extremely proud of each and every one of them and the progress they have made so far.”