By Mark Reynolds
The Highland Girls Volleyball Booster Club hosted its first community volleyball tournament Sunday,July 19, bringing together members of the Lloyd Police and Fire departments for a series of friendly matches aimed at raising awareness of the sport and encouraging more young athletes to participate.
The Lloyd Fire Department won the exhibition competition.
Lloyd Police Chief James Janso said his department was eager to accept the challenge.
“Obviously, when the challenge was given to us, we were going to accept and do our best to beat our friends in the Fire Department,” Janso said.
The booster club hopes to introduce volleyball to children before they reach middle school, when students become eligible to play on modified teams in sixth grade.
“When you start them young in T-ball or baseball, they get trained and acclimated to sports. It’s a good thing,” Janso said.
Booster Club President Meghan Mara said the organization was formed in March to build enthusiasm for the sport and expand participation.
“We’re trying to help get the community more excited about volleyball and get more kids involved,” Mara said.
“They start in sixth through eighth grade on modified teams, and we’re going to be doing clinics for the younger grades to get them interested.”
She said Sunday’s event was the club’s first fundraiser and that turnout had been encouraging.
Several players shared what drew them to volleyball.
After suffering an injury as a gymnast, Avery Sosnick turned to volleyball.
“My mom played volleyball all her life, and I learned from her,” she said.
Maddie Violaris said she enjoys the sport because it requires skill and emphasizes teamwork.
Alexis Violaris, who began playing in seventh grade, said she values the sense of community volleyball creates.
“I really like the community of the game that brings people together for the love of the sport,” she said.
Taylor Anzalone also started playing in seventh grade.
“I wanted to do something fun in the fall, and it helped me build friendships,” Anzalone said. “Today, seeing the firefighters play was special because my dad is a firefighter, and I grew up with all these guys.”
Varsity coach Cheryl Angelone described the event as an opportunity for players and families to enjoy the sport together.
“It’s just a fun day for the girls,” Angelone said.
She said several seniors graduated this year, making the transition bittersweet, but she looks forward to welcoming new players this fall.
Junior varsity coach Amanda Sosnick said tryouts are scheduled for the end of August. The team practic-es five days a week, with the season beginning in early September.
“We usually have about 15 girls try out, and we do our best to keep as many girls as possible to build their skills, confidence and love for the game,” she said.
Sosnick, who began playing volleyball in seventh grade and started coaching after graduating from high school, said she enjoys helping athletes develop.
“I am a better coach than I ever was a player,” she said. “I know the game very well, and I have a strong desire to grow the sport.”
She credited the booster club with helping strengthen the local volleyball community.
“The booster club has been a huge encouragement for the volleyball community to have a place to go,” Sosnick said.
The Highland Girls Volleyball Booster Club thanked Minard’s Family Farm for donating ice, Hannaford in Highland for providing snacks and water, Mr. Cool Ice Cream Truck, Dennis and Amanda for supply-ing the nets, and Downstate North for providing referees. The club can be reached at highlandvolleyballboosterclub@gmail.com.