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Improvement evident in volleyball
Summit – “It’s a good day to be a Hilltopper” was heard in the stands when Summit won the state championship in boys lacrosse last spring, and this statement has been repeated more than once while discussing teams at Summit High School this autumn. If you’ve had a chance to view the volleyball team recently, you would be inclined to think the same thing. The Lady Hilltoppers are playing with a level of energy and enthusiasm which makes it lots of fun to watch.
Coach Tony Martins agrees the energy and overall chemistry has helped make it the best team he’s guided in his five years at the program’s helm. “This team is more well-rounded than in years past,” said Martins. “Last season we had one outstanding player (the graduated) Abby Mell, but this year we have a more ‘even’ team with a very good mix of players.”
Senior Emily Hu and junior Megan Trindell lead the squad as captains. Martins commends both for their leadership, which they exhibit in slightly different ways. Megan is a vocal presence whose enthusiasm helps fuel the other athletes. Emily, Summit’s lone third-year varsity player, has progressed so far since she began the sport as a freshman and thus sets a great example for her teammates.
It’s surely true that what we see on the court these days is not our mothers’ volleyball game. There is the middle hitter, the outside hitter, the setter and then there is the libero. The libero position is relatively new, as it was only introduced to high school volleyball in 2005.
Hu is the Hilltoppers’ libero and is easily identified since she wears a different color uniform. The libero is a defensive specialist who may only play in the back row. The libero is even referred to as a “designated digger.” Thus Hu is deployed to replace any player on the back row.
Senior Maya Williams is a setter, along with juniors Trindell and Kelli Houck. They each have numerous assists and they’re strong servers. Williams return from an early-season injury provides the team a lift.
Summit is fortunate to have true middle hitters in senior Emily Machlin, junior Jeanelle Augustin, and freshman Lindsay Leiter. A girl who recently moved here from Florida, Leiter has a more extensive background in the sport than most of her schoolmates and it shows in her performance. Lindsay has been a tremendous addition for the Hilltoppers leading the team in kills and service aces server times.
The outside hitters include junior Allie Wernsing and sophomore Nicole Johnson. The varsity unit is rounded out by seniors Megan Tiang, Alyssa Roncallo, Simone Hairston, Karissa Koch and Andrea Greeley, along with juniors Sophie Abbott and Isamiryls Negron.
Coach Martins was very pleased with this season’s turnout of 36 girls and decided not to make any cuts. So along with the 30 members of the varsity and jayvee units, there’s also a six-player “practice squad.”
Summit entered this week’s action with a 5-7 record. Among the Hilltoppers’ achievements was winning last month’s Sinisi/Ludwig Tournament hosted by Manchester Regional. The girls have set a realistic goal of qualifying for the State Tournament and recent results suggest they could do so.
Yet, no matter how the season turns out, Coach Martins is very pleased with the team. He’s particularly enthused about the athlete’s mental approach – noting a confidence in their ability to play well and win. He believes the girls have set the bar higher and their expectations are greater.
So if you get a chance, go and see a match. The team is energetic and fun to watch, and remember, it’s not your mother’s volleyball.
