(Hazel Hoog)
If you are familiar with Ipswich High School sports, you have most likely heard about the accomplishments of the Ipswich Girls Varsity Volleyball Team. The four-time consecutive Division IV state champions finished their regular season undefeated and were ranked #2 in the state heading into the playoffs. Despite facing some tough competition in playoffs, no team was strong enough to break the Tigers and the team wrapped up their season the same way they have the past three years, as state champions. Although their success was similar to previous seasons, the makeup of their team was quite different this year. Including several new player additions and a new head coach, Brian Reed. Senior captain Frances Hertz describes this change as “a relatively big adjustment.” She continues by stating that “Coach Brian has a different way of running things than our former coach. We had been used to her way of coaching, so we needed to have an open mind going into the season.”
Aside from the new additions, the team consisted of nine returning players, seven of which are seniors who started each game. It’s this aspect that was a key factor in contributing to the success of the team this year, according to Frances. “Being primarily seniors made it very comfortable because we have had so much experience playing together,” states Frances, “We know how to work together and set each other up for success.” Furthermore, having played together for so long, they’ve become close friends and want the best for each other. Frances explained, “We were very motivated to be successful because we didn’t just want it for ourselves but for each other also. We knew how hard we all have worked and how far we have come throughout this experience.”
The success of this team is apparent not only because of their legacy as state champions but also because the team includes three seniors who currently hold program records in their positions. Middle hitter, Addison Pillis, broke the hitting record last year. Followed by outside hitter, Claire Buletza, who broke the kill record this year, and libero, Emily Hannibal, who broke the dig record this year. When asked about how this program is held to such high standards, assistant coach Pete Buletza responded, “We asked them what their goals were and they were to win another state championship. They knew to make this happen they needed to hold themselves to high standards and give it their all in every practice and every game.” Pete also expressed the importance of their mindset not only in tough games but in easier games as well. “You can’t think too far ahead. You must take everything point by point, set by set, and game by game. Whether the point goes your way or doesn’t go your way you have to let it go and move on to the next.”
Looking into the future, the team will be quite different from this year without its seniors. However, Frances has confidence they will be able to continue the legacy. “I have a lot of faith that the current underclassmen and incoming freshmen will be able to contribute to the team and its culture,” Stated Frances. No matter how the future seasons go for the program, this team will continue to be remembered for its exceptional players and wonderful accomplishments.
