The past few seasons, the North Branford volleyball team has been gaining some traction by seeing several girls gain valuable experience on the floor. The fruits of that labor along the hardwood have now started to ripen, as the T-Birds are nearing a long-awaited return to the postseason.

Thus far, North Branford has stormed out to a rousing start–taking flight with a 6-5 record. This follows a 7-13 campaign a year ago, which preceded a six-win season in 2021. At the heart of the Thunderbirds’ turnaround has been a prevalent familiarity factor, according to court commander and Head Coach Tori Ramada, after having a couple of campaigns as a cohesive unit in their belt.

“Our varsity team has been playing together for the last two years,” said Ramada. “They have built a solid foundation working together. Our girls are very talented and extremely determined. They always strive to be the best they can be.”

Lone senior Nicole Timario is serving as the team’s captain this fall. She is a focal point up front as an outside and middle hitter in her second year at North Branford, following transferring as a junior, while making sure every single individual within the program is in on the action point by point.

“Nicole brings a lot of positive energy to the team,” Ramada said. “She makes sure everyone is involved, whether they are on JV or varsity. She is a great leader to her underclassmen and really pushes everyone to do their best.”

The bright and upstart junior class includes setter Sam Melillo (accumulating 116 assists, 27 aces, and 68 digs in the opening half of the campaign), Olivia Cahill at middle hitter, who has tallied a team-tops 78 kills to complement her 19 aces, and junior Adriana Hills for libero–possessing 117 digs at the halfway point of the season as well as 24 aces.

“Sam has been setting for varsity for the last two years and has really brought a lot to the team. She has a lot of knowledge for the sport and always looks for ways to help our team be successful,” said Ramada. “Olivia has been on varsity for two years, and has been working extremely hard. She is a really smart player who continues to improve every season. Adriana has been our libero for the last two years. Every game, she leaves it all on the court. Adriana brings confidence to everyone that is on the court with her. She is reliable and a fantastic athlete.”

Lastly in the underclassmen ranks resides another sensational setter in sophomore Lauren Vitarisi, dishing out 82 assists and pulling up 73 digs thus far in 2023, along with a rookie phenom in outside hitter and freshman Reese Brigance (currently holding 74 kills, 35 aces, and 66 digs).

“Lauren is a fantastic team player and really strives to give her all whenever she can,” said Ramada. “Reese is a powerhouse on the court and has so much knowledge of the game. She is a force to be reckoned with.”

Looking ahead, the Thunderbirds will work towards locking down a postseason berth with crucial conference clashes against Haddam-Killingworth (on Thursday, Oct. 12), Old Lyme (Monday, Oct. 16), plus Coginchaug (Wednesday, Oct. 18).

No matter the hurdle of a deficit in a set or match, or if it is something a part of the bigger perspective and picture of life, Ramada aspires for her girls to gain growth and progress as people and athletes, in addition to procuring a passion for the sport that bonds them together in more ways than one.

“Every year we strive to build a respectable program that allows players to grow and become confident on and off the court,” said Ramada. “We want our players to be able to trust and rely on each other during games, as well as non-volleyball related experiences and situations. We want our girls to be excited to play the sport while having fun, regardless of the outcome of each match. At the end of the day, we want our players to grow as not only athletes, but as individuals.”

The Thunderbirds’ 2023 roster consists of seniors in Timario; juniors of Melillo, Cahill, Hills; sophomores with Vitarisi, Alexa Snedeker, Jasmine Cenotti-Green, Terasa Comfort, Payton DePino, Ashley Berardesca, Madelyn DeFelice, DaRiana Douglas; plus freshmen Elisa O’Connor, Juliana Porcu, Brigance, Emmarose Romano, Ella Chasanoff, Brianna Kundrath, Emma Nargi, Savanah Stewart, Izabella Masella, Samanatha Johnson, Alexandra Sigal, Vedi Patel, and Isabella Aucapina.

Ramada, also a program alumnus and Class of 2013 North Branford High School graduate, is in her sixth campaign as head coach. Assisting her this season is Sally Cucinotta, currently in the midst of her second season as assistant coach. Cucinotta graduated in 2020 and played for Ramada for two years as an outside hitter and captain her senior year.

2023 North Branford Volleyball Regular Season Results and Schedule

Sept. 8: Hale-Ray 3, North Branford 1

Sept. 11: North Branford 3, Morgan 0

Sept. 13: North Branford 3, Portland 0

Sept. 14: North Branford 3, Cromwell 0

Sept. 18: Haddam-Killingworth 3, North Branford 2

Sept. 20: North Branford 3, Old Lyme 0

Sept. 21: North Branford 3, Coginchaug 2

Sept. 27: Valley Regional 3, North Branford 1

Sept. 29: East Hampton 3, North Branford 0

Oct. 2: Hale-Ray 3, North Branford 1

Oct. 4: North Branford 3, Morgan 0

Monday, Oct. 9: at Cromwell at 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, Oct. 12: at Haddam-Killingworth at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 14: at Branford at 11 a.m.

Monday, Oct. 16: at Old Lyme at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 18: at Coginchaug at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 19: at Valley Regional at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 23: vs. East Hampton at East Haven at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 24: at West Haven at 4:45 p.m.