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10/22/2024 10:38 AMWhether it is figuring out how to crank out the hardest hit with her bat in the box or how to use her own hands to spike the ball at the precise point on the court with intensity, Alyssa DiGiovanna takes a disciplined approach to help her be in it for the long haul as a two-sport standout.
Alyssa grew up playing softball, and she still plays for the Nighthawks. Yet as a freshman, she caught the attention of former Nighthawks’ volleyball Head Coach Brianna Kleckner and was encouraged to take to the court. After earning a call up to varsity as a sophomore, she stuck there as an outside hitter for the 10-9 Nighthawks, and she has tallied 123 kills, 29 aces, and 140 digs. Alyssa is currently in the top 10 of the SCC Hammonasset Division for hitting percentage and in the top 20 for the state in Class L.
“I love with softball how individualized it is, and you have a point where you have to step up when you are at bat or in the field. But with volleyball, you also get more chances to fix mistakes. My teammates in both sports also help me pick up my energy,” says Alyssa, a 2024 Second Team All-SCC selection at shortstop. “I have had the support of the coaches, and they tell me it is okay when I make a mistake. My setters have confidence in me to put the ball away, and my teammates fire me up.”
While getting more reps near the net than in the batter’ box, Alyssa uses that as a sense of comfort mentally. She details that she knows that it is not all on her, and her mentors also make her feel extremely valued for her contributions.
“You get more chances to make up for miscues in volleyball than you do with softball. Knowing that fact has helped me with not putting too much pressure on myself,” Alyssa says. “All of my coaches are very enthusiastic for me, and they let me know I am out there for a reason, and that gives me so much confidence.”
In a game of momentum swings, Alyssa sinks her teeth into the chance to halt any momentum in a given set by an opponent. The adrenaline rush of the accomplishment and the ensuing roar of the supporters truly fires her up.
“As a hitter, I love being able to kill a rally by a team and be the last touch on a point,” says Alyssa. “And then ripping the ball down and hearing the cheers of teammates and the crowd is great. It can be difficult to adjust to different sets that are not at the same height and making sure I can still put the ball away.”
After a lengthy career of success in softball, Alyssa was ready to rip it up from the get-go when it came to her maiden voyages on the court. She traversed those early choppy waters by simply trusting herself and her abilities.
“My freshman year, I was new to volleyball, but I had high expectations for myself,” says Alyssa. “When I would make an error, I would put myself down. But over the years, I realized it takes practice and patience. You have to move on from making simple mistakes because everyone makes them. I have improved on my passing and swinging over the net, and then I am also better at finding open spots on the floor. My ability to read hitters on digs is getting better, too.”
Taylor DePalma could not ask for a better senior class ambassador to help her get acclimated to her new position as volleyball head coach. She explains that Alyssa embodies all the intangible qualities every coach desires in their squad stewards.
“Alyssa stands out as an exceptional teammate, leader, and athlete due to her dependable and selfless nature, always putting the team first and fostering strong communication,” says DePalma. “As a leader, she leads by example with hard work and integrity. Alyssa consistently shows up for her team by holding herself accountable and always giving her greatest effort, whether it’s at a Saturday practice or during game time. Her strong work ethic, resilience, and adaptability make her a valuable asset to our team, as she consistently seeks to improve and handles challenges with grace.”
Furthermore, DePalma explains that Alyssa showcases that selflessness by harnessing her own time, effort, and energy to enhance not only herself but also everyone around her.
“As a mindful athlete, Alyssa uses strategy to not only focus on her own performance but also to elevate her teammates and anticipate the next play,” DePalma says. “Alyssa is a great role model to her teammates and the underclassmen as she strives to build a positive team culture. Beyond her athletic success, she excels both on and off the court, showcasing her dedication and discipline in all areas of life. A consistent honor roll student, Alyssa has her sights set on attending the University of Connecticut next fall, where we know she will continue to do great things.”
Alyssa reflects that she has become a more finesse player and a tactician when it comes to ball placement. As the Nighthawks prepare for the pressure of the postseason, they are ready to not be so in the moment and see a contest until the end.
“At the beginning of the year, I set a goal for myself to not just swing as hard as I can. I think I am achieving that goal pretty well so far,” Alyssa says. “For us as a team, we just want to make sure we do not get down on ourselves if we lose the first set of a match. We have to keep the energy up and hold a good mentality.”
Looking towards the future, Alyssa has learned the lesson that it takes time to adapt to how different pieces of a group grasp skills and concepts. It is taking it slow that will help her and others sprint to success.
“I have discovered that everyone grows at different rates and learns at different levels,” says Alyssa. “You have to be patient with everyone to win and be successful in a group. No matter how hard it gets, you cannot give up on something because then it’ll get you down.”