After notching its first state tournament berth in many years and easily being the biggest story of the Shoreline Conference in 2023, the North Branford volleyball team is looking to build on that momentum with a strong returning cast and cohesive unit this fall.

After reaching the state tournament quarterfinal round last year, the Thunderbirds have piloted their way out to a 6-4 start thus far in the regular season in 2024, a campaign in which they hope to go even deeper in the playoffs. Head Coach Tori Ramada is very satisfied with the win total the girls have posted at this juncture of the journey, but she has also continued to push a healthy environment and creating a comfortable space for all the athletes to achieve their personal successes.

“Every year, our goal is to build the team up in skills, as well as character,” said Ramada, the 2023 Shoreline Conference Coach of the Year. “We want our players to have fun playing the sport they love, but we also want them to grow and become confident as individuals as well as volleyball players. Our focus is to build a team community where the players can trust each other and have strong relationships on and off the court.”

Leading the charge and pushing for that strong family atmosphere are three senior captains. All of them show experience not only around the club, but at their positions, as they enter the 2024 campaign after three seasons at their respective court assignments. Framingham State University volleyball commit and 2023 Second Team All-Shoreline honoree Sam Melillo is a setter with 123 assists, 123 digs, 22 kills, 117 serving points, and 37 aces. Middle Hitter Olivia Cahill has produced 97 kills, 43 serving points, and 12 aces thus far on the year. Adriana Hills (a First Team All-Shoreline selection a year ago) is a fixture in the back at libero–sporting numbers of 135 digs, 132 receptions, and 24 serving tallies.

“Sam brings a lot of knowledge to the court and is very passionate about the sport. In addition, her versatility to be able to hit, dig, and set makes her a great asset on the court. Olivia has continued to put in effort to improve on her skill, and each year she surpasses expectations. Adrianna has been the core of our back row and is very consistent and reliable. She has so much passion for the sport,” said Ramada. “As a whole, all three captains bring a great type of leadership to the team. They work with their teammates to help with whatever skills they want to work on, as well as any questions they have.”

Second in command at setter right behind Melillo is junior Lauren Vitarisi–a veteran to varsity since her freshman year (81 assists, 122 digs, 56 serve points, plus 19 aces in 2024). Also bolstering the Thunderbirds up front on offense is another junior in Payton DePino at outside hitter. DePino has amassed 24 kills, punched up 77 digs, collected 62 serving points, and fired through 15 aces this fall.

“Lauren works really well with her teammates, as well as Sam, our other setter, to make sure the game flows smoothly. She demonstrates great leadership skills with her teammates and is a fantastic team player,” said Ramada. “Before this year, Payton has been a right side hitter and was occasionally an outside hitter when needed last year. This year, in a new position, she has done very well. She is a versatile player on the court and brings a lot to the team.”

Through the opening half of the regular season, North Branford has heralded some great successes by accumulating conference wins against the likes of Old Lyme, a historic and signature triumph against Hale-Ray, Portland, East Hampton, Cromwell, and Morgan. The Thunderbirds will also welcome longtime rival Haddam-Killingworth on Wednesday, Oct. 2 for a home match being played during Homecoming Week at East Haven.

“In our second game of the season, we beat Hale-Ray for the first time in over 15 years,” said Ramada. “We played five sets, and the girls worked hard to get a victory, winning the last set 15-13.”

The prior campaign was one that saw several droughts broken in terms of the program's postseason success. The formula looks favorable on paper for the T-Birds to trek even further this year in the conference and state draws, but it can also happen in the flesh with a piecemeal approach.

“Our varsity team has been playing together for the last three years. With losing only one senior last year, there have been some movements, but they have done well with working together in each game and supporting each other,” said Ramada. “The team qualified for states last year for the first time in 18 years and made it to the quarterfinals for the first time in over 20 years. Ideally, every team’s end goal is to make it to the state championship. While that is our end goal this year, we are still focusing on small goals, like qualifying for the Shoreline and state tournament, but we take it one game at a time.”

Ramada is now in the midst of her seventh season as head coach. Her assistant coach this fall is Sally Cucinotta, who has now served in that capacity for three years.

The 2024 Thunderbirds’ roster is comprised of seniors Melillo, Cahill, Hills, Christina Aneiro; juniors Vitarisi, Alexa Snedeker, Jasmine Cenotti-Green, Terasa Comfort, DePino, Ashley Beradesca, Madelyn DeFelice; sophomores Juliana Porcu, Kate Macauley, Emmarose ROmano, Ella Chasanoff, Brianna Kundrath, Emma Nargi, Savanah Stewart, Sam Johnson; plus freshmen Sophia Virginelli, Monique LaRock, and Ellie Budd.

2024 North Branford Volleyball Regular Season Results and Schedule

Sept. 3: North Branford 3, Old Lyme 0

Sept. 5: North Branford 3, Hale-Ray 2

Sept. 9: Valley Regional 3, North Branford 0

Sept. 11: Haddam-Killingworth 3, North Branford 1

Sept. 13: Coginchaug 3, North Branford 2

Sept. 16: North Branford 3, Portland 0

Sept. 18: North Branford 3, East Hampton 1

Sept. 20: North Branford 3, Cromwell 0

Sept. 25: North Branford 3, Old Lyme 1

Sept. 27: Hale-Ray 3, North Branford 1

Monday, Sept. 30: at Valley Regional at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 2: vs. Haddam-Killingworth at East Haven at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 7: at Coginchaug at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 9: at Portland at 6 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 11: at East Hampton at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 14: at Cromwell at 10 a.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 16: at Morgan at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 19: at West Haven at 12:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 21: vs. Branford at 6 p.m.