The position of setter is quite a crucial one when it comes to the success of a high school volleyball team, yet Sophie Scrivo has certainly set her mark within the position and for the Valley Regional volleyball squad during her tenure.

The Warriors’ senior captain grew up playing everything from soccer, to t-ball, softball, and basketball. She was then introduced to volleyball through a camp from ages 10-14 at Haddam-Killingworth High School. From there, she gravitated to the court and caught the eye of her Valley JV coach during her freshman year in terms of her ability to set.

The rest was history from there, as Sophie notched 365 assists (4th-most in the Shoreline Conference), fired 48 aces, brandished 20 blocks, punched up 192 digs, along with 49 kills, to help the Warriors return to both the Shoreline Conference and Class M State Tournaments with an overall mark of 13-10 this fall.

She was additionally an Honorable Mention for the All-Shoreline Conference Team. On a team level, she was bestowed with the team’s Heart of the Warrior Award. The recipient of the award is a player who embodies the values of teamwork, coachability, dedication, drive, and leadership.

“Setting is not for everyone, but in my freshman year on JV, my coach noticed I had a natural ability to set,” says Sophie. “I never stopped from there, and I really enjoy it. It is so rewarding when you see your teammates get a kill, the celebration afterwards, and then they compliment you on the set that led to the kill and point.”

Sophie looks back on some hard times at the onset of the season when the Warriors needed time to gel. It was an arduous process, but Sophie and Valley were true to the task and quickly righted the ship.

“At the beginning of the year, the chemistry and unity on the court was just not there, and we lost our first three matches,” Sophie says. “But once we found the group that worked best together and started being able to trust each other, it was when we started winning matches. It allowed us to be successful on the court.”

The centerness of Sophie’s setting assignment on the floor truly helped lay the groundwork for her to become a captivating captain this past campaign, with her athletic abilities flowing into her newfound leadership role.

“It was always a goal of mine to be a captain here,” says Sophie. “When I was given it, I was so happy because I wanted to do it so badly. I loved leading the team. Being the setter is typically like being the core out there, because you control the pace of play and set the hitters up for hits. Setters play the whole game, so I am always on the court, and to continue that as captain is a great honor.”

Warriors’ volleyball Head Coach Sofia Cullina praised Sophie for being the team workhorse on the floor, including trying to play through pain, and presenting herself as a consummate professional teammate and leader.

“Sophie has been a player who stood out to me since the first day of tryouts last season. She was always hustling and giving her best. But more importantly, she was a great teammate and kind to others,” says Cullina. “Her effort and passion for the sport was contagious and that is what every coach wants out of their captain. She played in every single match this year as our starting setter, never getting a break. Sophie got injured during our final match of the season, and she attempted to wrap it up and get back on the court, but was not able to. That shows how badly she wanted to be out there with her team and fight with them for the win.”

Speaking furthermore to the social benefits while helping her mates spike the ball to the opposite end, Sophie realizes the sport helped her reach outside of her comfort zone for rousing results for both her own development and the team’s growth.

“At first, I was more timid, shy, and not outgoing,” Sophie says. “My mother noticed that volleyball helped me come out of my shell. I am always encouraging teammates now. It helped me become more outgoing and confident in myself.”

In Sophie’s parting remarks regarding the impact the program and the sport have left on her, she is so grateful for how it has helped mold her into a standup young woman while aspiring to continue the game for many more sets.

“Volleyball helped me become the person I am now,” says Sophie. “Everyone who knows me knows how much I love volleyball. It is a goal of mine to play in college. It has really shaped me as a person, and it will always be a part of me.”