Printer Friendly Version - Valley Volleyball Ready to Go One Step Further as 2023 Conference Finalist, State Semifinalist

Regan Grow is back for the Valley Regional volleyball team as a senior captain this fall following a First Team All-Shoreline season for herself and conference final and state semifinal berths for the Warriors. Photo by Victoria Fennell/The Courier

Senior Rubee Cecchini (15) will lead the Warriors volleyball team this fall as an outside hitter for the reigning Shoreline Conference runner-up. Photo by Victoria Fennell/The Courier

One of the more sensational stories out of the Shoreline Conference in the sport of volleyball last season was the thrilling postseason push put forth by Valley Regional. After getting to the title stage of the conference, and one step away from vying for a state crown, the Warriors are chomping at the bit to chase championship gold.

Following achieving a 14-6 regular season record last fall, 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.

Led by Jaimie Bickelhaupt, back for her second season at the helm as the Warriors’ head coach, the squad is eager to get back to another deep dive into the playoffs after returning a healthy majority of that Final Four foray. Valley has jutted out to a solid 6-1 record thus far in the campaign, and the girls have a drive more determined than ever to ascend to the top–even putting it in writing.

“Our goal is to win a championship or two this year. We have the talent and the ability to do that,” said Bickelhaupt. “That was on every varsity player's goal sheet at the beginning of the year, and we are working hard towards that goal each day.”

Regan Grow will be one of a trio of senior captains as a middle blocker. In 2023, she nabbed First Team All-Shoreline honors after posting numbers of a league-best 261 kills to go along with 73 blocks and 30 aces. Grow will look to be a centerpiece of a potent and dynamic Warriors’ offense. She shines near center court and and is a strong barometer for the team.

“Regan is our best offensive player,” said Bickelhaupt. “She's our presence at the net and sets the tone for our games and leads by example.”

Also supporting the offense and the squad stewardship is another offensive colleague and captain classmate in Rubee Cecchini at outside hitter. She is ready to show her stuff after making an assignment switch.

“Rubee moved to this position after playing right side hitter last year,” Bickelhaupt said. “She brings strength, smarts, and a voice on the floor for us.”

Rounding out the senior leaders is Emma Gibson on the opposite defensive end as libero/defensive setter. Bickelhaupt praised Gibson as the ultimate gamer and workhorse, never timid to cover any point on the floor.

“Emma Gibson is our backbone. She works her butt off and plays wherever and plays whatever she is given,” Bickelhaupt said. “She is the person on the team that a lot of girls look to for guidance.”

Not to be outdone, the junior class also boasts some tremendous standouts on the hardwood. Nia Marchese is an outside hitter who can bring the heat while adding finesse up front. Meanwhile, libero and defensive setter Hallie Moore, an All-Shoreline Team Honorable Mention for 2023, is an unsung hero towards the Warriors’ skills by getting the momentum rolling.

“Nia brings a lot of power and has really honed in her skills at the net,” Bickelhaupt said. “Hallie has great court vision and awareness. Also, her passes are what start our offense a lot of the time.”

Along the way in the regular season, the Warriors will see plenty of return matchups from last year’s Shoreline draw, including facing East Hampton in rematches of last season’s conference title tilt. The two first met on Sept. 16 at Valley, and the Warriors blanked their opponent 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-18). The two clubs will reconvene on Monday, Oct. 9 at East Hampton at 5:30 p.m.

Valley will also battle with Haddam-Killingworth, a semifinalist from 2023, on Friday, Sept. 27 at 5:30 p.m. The Warriors will look to gain revenge after the Cougars bested them 3-1 on Sept. 5 at H-K. Another pivotal meetup within the league will be against Hale-Ray. Valley started off its campaign with a 3-0 sweep of the Noises on Sept. 3 on the road. The two next meet on Wednesday, Sept. 25 with a 5:30 p.m. tip at Valley.

The Warriors certainly look to have the table set up for even grander success from the campaign prior. Yet Bickelhaupt and her Warriors are taking a steady, focused, and humbled mentality to the whole scope by just inching forward daily.

“This season should bring a lot of fun and perseverance,” said Bickelhaupt. “We aren't going to be perfect, but the goal is to be 1% better each day and build on the day before.”

Bickelhaupt’s staff is comprised of longtime Valley veteran Sofi Cullina, now in her fifth year, along with a coaching newcomer in Nick Braga.

The Valley Regional 2024 roster is comprised of seniors Cecchini, Gibson, Grow, Grace Lunz; juniors Kellyn Kolber, Moore, Taylor Zduniak, Helen Manco, Marchese; plus sophomores in Madelyn Delorso and Team Manager Linnea Winkley.