Matthew Doherty
Last Thursday, the Dobbs Ferry Girls Varsity Volleyball team played in their homecoming game against Ursuline High School. It was an intense match, with all the sets coming down to very few points. The Eagles showed great determination, coming back from as much as five points down in both the fourth and fifth sets to eventually win the game. Coach Duane expressed her pride, stating, “I am very proud of how all my players fought to come back into the game. It was sluggish earlier on, but they just had to keep staying close—close enough to eventually push forward and get the win. I’m glad that the girls did not give up hope; they just kept playing and did it for each other.” This shows the tough mentally of the squad, always fighting until the game is over.
The season has been great for the girls so far, and this impressive homecoming win improves their record to 7-2. Last year, the team made a deep playoff run led by their captains, Sofia Fucci and Isabella Racanelli. Now, the Eagles are captained by Naia Neuman, Abby Dann, and Hope McCormack. When asked about the captains’ impact, Coach Duane noted, “They make a huge impact on the energy level. Naia is constantly pushing the team, elevating their energy. They have to focus on what they remember. Hope and Abby’s decision-making during games and their ability to be in the right position while doing the right things inspire many of the quieter players; they lead by example.” The Eagles are lucky to have such talented leaders among the squad to always lift the team up.
This homecoming win marks a very successful period for all Eagles sports and is special for everyone on the team. Captain Hope McCormack commented on the atmosphere of homecoming, saying, “Volleyball doesn’t always get that much attention, but homecoming brings it. I was impressed with the student section.” Players who stood out during the game included sophomore Taylor Denike and senior captains Naia Neuman and Hope McCormack. Denike and McCormack both led the team with 15 kills each, while Neuman contributed 23 assists in the comeback win. Neuman also won the team “Hustle Award!”
The Eagles now boast an impressive record with only two losses, currently sitting in sixth place in a very competitive Class B section. This win marks six consecutive victories for the girls, who look to maintain their momentum against Westlake, currently in seventh place, on Tuesday, the 15th.