Summer Onorato has been a mainstay on the East Haven volleyball squad for the past several years and, this year, she’s wearing the captain’s hat for the Yellowjackets. After her team won eight matches last season, Summer and the Easties are on the fast track back to the playoffs on the strength of a 6-1 start in 2017.

Summer picked up volleyball like many others do: by playing at family barbecues. Summer played organized volleyball for the first time in middle school, after which she moved on to the high school circuit with her friends. Summer thinks the Yellowjackets are poised to make a deep run in the SCC and State tournaments with the talent and tenacity they have on display this year.

“We already went 5-0 to start the season. We work hard every game, and we put our heart into it” says Summer. “Our goal, like always, is to make states. This year, we’re trying to go super hard, and I think we’ll be able to go far.”

As one of East Haven’s captains, Summer feels it’s her job to keep everyone on the roster motivated and focused, whether it’s the other seniors or the incoming freshmen. Summer and fellow captain Kylie Schlottman always make sure that all the Yellowjackets are on equal ground.

“Honestly, we treat everyone the same on the team. We love the freshmen. We have pasta dinners, and we are just a big family,” Summer says. “We always text each other and ask each other what we both want, so it’s fair, and we never have a problem.”

Summer plays outside hitter for East Haven, and one of her chief responsibilities is to receive serves effectively. As a junior last year, Summer had 364 serve receptions to go with 232 digs, 153 kills, and 25 aces. She also won the Yellowjackets’ Sportsmanship Award. Through East Haven’s first six matches this season, Summer has recorded 61 receptions, 46 kills, 44 digs, and eight aces.

Head Coach Craig Brown knows that the Easties wouldn’t be off to such a strong start without Summer’s skills, along with the drive to help both herself and her club grow.

“She’s one of three girls that’s always receiving serves. She’s arguably two or three of our best passers on any given day. Without Summer, we wouldn’t get a chance to hit and, without her passing, we’re not going to score any points,” says Brown. “She not only has a strong determination to better herself for the team, but she also has a strong desire to bring the younger girls along, as well. She works well alongside her teammates. She communicates well and keeps them excited to show up every day.”

Summer extends a lot of credit to her teammates for helping East Haven see so much early success this season, including her three fellow seniors: Jessica Stettinger, Julia SanGiovanni, and Schlottman. Summer also thanks the Yellowjackets’ coaching staff and the team’s parents for their support.

“It’s really the team staying together as a whole. And the seniors, without them, I don’t know where this team would be,” she says. “All the parents are so supportive. The coaches are great. They listen to our ideas, and we have such an open relationship with everyone. It’s great.”

After high school, Summer is hoping to go to Fordham University to study to either be a nurse, medial examiner, or perhaps even an athletic director. For now, though, Summer just wants to savor the rest of her senior season and, hopefully, help the Easties bring home a banner.

“This is just something I’ve always worked toward,” says Summer. “It’s my pride and joy. I love volleyball.”