Printer Friendly Version - Valley Volleyball Grew Closer and More Confident in State Semis Bid

Senior captain and libero Joanna Petrone (16) earned First Team All-Conference honors for Valley girls’ volleyball this season, as she was best in Class S and the Shoreline with 439 digs, plus 39 assists and 42 aces. Photo by Victoria Fennell/The Courier

Regan Grow (12) earned the Team MVP award for the Valley girls’ volleyball team, while also being named to the All-Shoreline Conference First Team for leading the conference in kills with 261, while also recording 73 blocks and 30 aces. Photo by Victoria Fennell/The Courier

For the Valley Regional volleyball team, the 2023 campaign was a long and winding trail that ended with a pair of deep postseason bracket pushes. But more importantly beneath the surface, the girls pushed each other and learned more about themselves and the competitive spirit inside them.

Following achieving a 14-6 regular season record, Valley ventured into the Shoreline Conference Tournament. Once there, the second-seeded Warriors swept No. 3 Haddam-Killingworth 3-0 prior to a 3-1 loss to top-ranked East Hampton in the conference final on Nov. 3.

In the Class S State Tournament, Valley made a sensational run to the semifinal round as the seventh seed with three straight 3-0 sweeps. The Warriors took care of No. 26 International in the first round, then 10th-seeded St. Paul Catholic for the second round, and second-ranked Montville for the quarterfinal before seeing their season come to a close with a hard-fought, five-set loss to No. 3 Coventry to finish 18-8 overall.

First-year Head Cach Jaimie Bickelhaupt explained that when you look at things, a season that runs into mid-November with a state semifinal showing can seem like a daunting task, but the Warriors chipped away at it one step at a time by winning each day, both individually and collectively.

“Our goal for the season was to get better every day. They were successful in doing so and developed a lot of confidence throughout the season, seeing what would happen when they bought into what we were doing, which was winning,” said Bickelhaupt. “With where we ended this season, I think we reached those goals. If you asked this team at the beginning of the season if they'd be playing for a Shoreline Conference title and reach the semifinal for the state tournament, I think you'd have a lot of doubters. Yet, we focused on each day instead of focusing on the end, and we were able to get better every day and build the confidence it took to get where we wanted to go.”

A riled and raucous home court advantage in the conference tournament clash was a highlight moment for the campaign, as the Valley community went to see its team punch a ticket to the finals. Another high-water instance for the run was when the girls raised money for a great cause.

“One of the best moments of the year was hosting a Shoreline Conference Tournament semifinal game. The crowd was so invested; we had so many students show up to support the team, and won 3-0 which sent us to the conference finals,” said Bickelhaupt. “Another big moment was our Dig Pink game. The captains created a heartfelt breast cancer video, along with a hype video, which added a whole new level to our event. So many people in attendance wore pink, and we raised over $1,000 to donate to the Dig Pink SideOut Foundation.”

Friction and constructive criticism can often lead the way to closer connection and cohesion throughout the court. Valley experienced this firsthand, with each teammate complimenting and critiquing each other, using early uneasy moments to forge towards later successes.

“We practiced holding each other accountable and what that looks like almost every day. At the end of practice, when we would huddle up, girls had to turn to someone and say what they did well that day, and what they needed to work on or bring to next practice,” said Bickelhaupt. “It started out being one of the most uncomfortable conversations–a lot of nervous laughing and easy comments in the beginning, and turned into really leaning into what each other were feeling/doing, which just helped the chemistry and bond on the court. They truly became each other's best cheerleaders this year, and you can see that on the court and on the bench. They go nuts for one another and it's special.”

The Warriors secured plenty of personal recognition through their achievements. Junior middle hitter Regan Grow (tops in the conference in kills with 261, 73 blocks, and 30 aces) and senior captain and libero Joanna Petrone (best in Class S and the Shoreline with 439 digs, plus 39 assists and 42 aces) made First Team All-Shoreline.

Fellow senior captain/outside hitter Natalie Novak earned Second Team distinction with 157 kills, 236 digs, and 38 aces, plus sophomore Hallie Moore was an Honorable Mention.

In terms of team awards, Grow was named Team MVP with Petrone being bestowed with the Defensive Player of the Year honor. Senior captain Ava Frost took home the Sportsmanship award, the Heart of a Warrior accolade went to Novak, and freshman Maddie DeLorso was named Most Improved Player.

Bickelhaupt praised her captains, which comprised the whole senior section of the roster that included Anna McCauley, for subscribing to the old adage that actions (and even attitude) speak louder than words, and setting the stage for a bright future of the program.

“Losing these four seniors is going to be tough. They were quiet in nature, but led by example with their high work ethic, their willingness to do whatever was needed for the team, and their dedication to the sport,” said Bickelhaupt. “You don't find players like that everywhere. They were something special, and the impact and legacy they are leaving sets the groundwork for what's to come in the future. They were the ones who led this team to the conference title game and state semifinals. Although we came up short, a lot of lessons were learned, and the girls know what it takes to get there now.”

In her final remarks on the roster and the 2023 run, Bickelhaupt began to look ahead to next fall, and while of course the Warriors part ways with a formidable foursome of senior stewards, the underclassmen and the minutes they logged this season are only going to make Valley that much more primed and ready to drive towards the top.

“Next year's team looks strong,” said Bickelhaupt. “Although losing four senior captains who gave us a lot of strong talent & leadership is tough. The junior and sophomore classes also have a lot of talent, and their cohesiveness is unmatched. A handful of players are all coming back. These girls gave us a lot of playing time this year, which will only help us next year.”

Bickelhaupt, who is also the head coach of the girls’ hoops squad at Valley, was assisted by Sofia and Katie Cullina in her first campaign as the bench boss for the volleyball team.

The 2023 Valley Regional volleyball team roster is comprised of seniors Novak, Petrone, McCauley, Frost; juniors of Emma Gibson, Stella Greenawalt, Grow, Rubee Cecchini, and Lily Belcher; sophomores in team manager Genevieve Carlson, Kellyn Kolber, Moore, Taylor Zduniak, Marchese, and Helen Manco; and freshmen with Daphne Zito, DeLorso, Charlotte Kolb, Eleanor Collins, Zahra Zain, Alexa Escarraman, Madelyn Stone, Josephina McGee, Linnea Winkley, Charlotte Bach, Katie DeMik, and Macy Rock.