It’s late August – students are still getting used to waking up early and the days are still unbearably hot. What does that mean? Yes, summer is over, but it’s also volleyball season! The seventh and eighth-grade volleyball team, coached by Ms. McAllister and Benjamin parent Mrs. Mary Cvetes, is looking unstoppable and ready to take on all challengers. “The team looks great and I think they are going to have a winning season,” noted Ms. McAllister. One of the team’s strengths are “that they work as a team very well but they have to work on their serving,” added Ms. McAllister.

Returning to the squad this year are former co-MVPs Whitney Sousa and Maddy Wilson along with Coaches’ Award-winners Ainsley Malamala and Maddie Tighe. These players make up the core of the team and they are hoping to avenge their loss in last year’s league championship to St. Marks. With more experience under their belts and some promising new players, the team is hopeful that it can build upon last year’s success.

Middle School Athletic Director Mr. Toby Harbeck said, ”The team has a great chance of winning with these great players and great coaches. The sixth-grade team is also a strong contender. Last year the [sixth-grade] team did not win a game, but they are hoping to turn that around this year. “We are going to win, we are looking good, and we have a strong team,” explained the sixth graders’ coach, Miss Mallory Gleason. Sixth grader Gabriella Ramsey said, “It’s my second [year] playing volleyball. The team is very unique because everyone has their own talents and skills, and we all work as a team very well.”

Hope rides high for both teams, but they’ll have to prove their worth on the court this year. Only time will tell if they are able to compete with some of the other strong schools in the league such as The King’s Academy, Palm Beach Day, and St. Mark’s.