The 2019 George Stevens Academy volleyball team. Courtesy of GSA
The 2019 George Stevens Academy volleyball team includes, from left, Ashly Emerson, Mara Pickering, Evelyn Dagan, Sophia Biggie, Erika Hipsky, Sophie Peasley and Frances Spangler.
Blue Hill—Now in its fourth season, the George Stevens Academy volleyball team is starting to find its groove, with the early weeks of the season already highlighted by a win over Class B MDI 3-2 in a preseason scrimmage on September 4.
The varsity team is made up of only seven players, but all of them have experience on the varsity court, according to Bonnie Marckoon, who co-coaches the team with Aleta Schmidt.
“The impact of our returning players has been remarkable,” said Marckoon. “All of them participated in at least one camp during the off season. Their skills have improved tremendously.”
The coaches asked the players to set goals for themselves both individually and as a team as they move into the season. Themes included increasing communication on the court when a play is diverted, and hosting a playoff game at home.
“They put in a lot of work with each other during the off season and have become really close. There has been intense energy and a lot of laughter during practices,” said Schmidt.
That positive energy has made practices enjoyable through the early weeks of the season, said Marckoon, but when it comes to focusing on the task at hand, that energy is channeled into hard work and determination.
“They come to practice early to warm-up, they encourage one another daily and they coach each other. It’s so wonderful to watch,” said Marckoon.
The team finished 6-8 last season, and earned a playoff spot for the first time against Washington Academy, a match they lost 0-3.The Eagles struggled with injuries through some of that season, but the squad starts the 2019 season healthy and ready to continue the improvement.
The Eagles opened the season at home on September 11 against Machias (results not available by press time). They are back in action with a double header in Bucksport against North Yarmouth Academy and Lake Region High School on September 14. First serves are scheduled for 11:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., respectively. The Eagles are back on their home court against Bucksport on Friday, September 20.