By Sydney Simpson – News Editor

The Jonathan Law volleyball team had an interesting season this year, complete with masks, spending most of the preseason outdoors, and a 9-3 record during the 2020 regular season. 

This season, practices became only two hours rather than three, masks had to be worn at all times while inside, and the season was shortened from playing around 20 games to only playing 12. Throughout all this change, the team kept their heads up and their attitudes positive, which is what led them to such a successful season. 

“The big thing was to keep in mind that any day could be our last,” said Head Coach Ms. Loch. “We were so fortunate to have a season… just being able to practice and play was very exciting and the coaches just continued to remind the girls to be grateful.”

Law came out of the season with three All-Division players, senior captains Maddie Lula and Alexis Neider, and junior setter Grace Kantor. 

“Throughout the season, I think my setting has really improved,” said Kantor of her personal growth. “I was able to get most of my sets on the net and to the spot I wanted them.” 

Kantor had 221 assists throughout the season, which is what led her to becoming an All-Division player. 

Due to COVID-19 regulations, the volleyball team was only able to play against teams close to Law. Foran, Lauralton Hall, Platt Tech, Branford, Amity, and Shelton were the teams in Law’s division. 

Every team in the division competed in the postseason, which ran from November 9-13. Law, seeded third, had a bye for the first round, and had an incredible five-game match against the #2 seed, Shelton, on November 11. 

Shelton won the first two games in the match, and Law came back to win the next two, causing the match to go to five games. The fifth game was played to 15 points, where Law ended up losing by only two. 

“The biggest challenge this year for the team was communicating to each other on the court,” junior middle hitter Avery Fitzgerald said. “But we always ended up digging each other out of whatever hole we got into.”

Despite the lack of communication on the court at times, the Law volleyball team is unlike any other sport in the bond that the players have with each other. 

“One strength of our team is making everybody feel like a family,” said Fitzgerald. “I think we all knew this season was going to be different than any other, so there was a priority in making sure we were all connected more.”

The team’s unique bond and their ability to work together is no doubt the factor that allowed them to come back so incredibly in their final game against Shelton. 

Although this season is over, the hard work exhibited by the girls will not cease. 

“To prepare for the next season, I’m going to work on my skills throughout the winter, and I will hopefully get to play in the summer league with our team so we can get better together,” Kantor said. 

Loch also gave some helpful advice for the girls to help them stay in shape and ready for the 2021 year. 

“Any clinics/camps/leagues they can get into to improve on skills would be beneficial… these camps/clinics can really help them improve, get stronger, and get ready for next season when we play more teams that will challenge us,” Loch said. “Conditioning, running, and working on those skills at home will help them get better every day,”

The junior members of the varsity team also have some personal goals set for their senior season. 

“My goal for next year is to hopefully go all SCC and improve my blocking and confidence in my hits,” Fitzgerald said.