Earlier this year, captains Patricia Hare and Maddie Quayle “kidnapped” the junior players.

From there, the team went to a fish store in Deerfield where they obtained Squishy, the team fish, who now resides on Head Volleyball Coach Chris Cooper’s desk.

According to Quayle, the kidnapping was a team bonding activity, one of Hare’s goals for the season.

Hare said the team’s second goal is to elevate its defense.

“We’re just trying to improve more and more every practice,” middle hitter Kathryn Schmidt said.

Hare’s last goal is for the team  to advance past regionals and into sectionals.

Cooper believes Hare will help lead the team to achieving this goal with her hard work and skill.

“Her physical attributes, where she’s strong and quick, really help out,” Cooper said.

With a team consisting of 13 members, of which nine are juniors, Cooper also looks to Hare as a role model for the younger players.

“She pretty much demonstrates leadership every time that she’s in a gym,” said Cooper. “And her type of leadership is really one of leading by example.”

Hare has been a captain both her junior and senior year and feels that she is prepared to continue to take on this leadership role.

“I’d like to think I take good care of the team and make sure that I’m doing everything I can on my part to make sure we’re successful on the court,” Hare said.

Hare’s hard work and passion for volleyball have not gone unnoticed by her teammates.

“My favorite thing about her is probably the way that she inspires everyone else with how dedicated she is to the sport,” said Quayle. “She definitely works harder than anyone I know.”

Not only does Hare perform on the court, but also off the court in her academics. Hare believes being a student-athlete involves balancing the “two major commitments,” academics and athletics. She does this by asking for help and communicating with teachers and coaches.

“She’s a good leader; she’s a wonderful person; she’s a great student-athlete, so she’s strong in the classroom,” said Cooper. “I think that she’s a good role model for a lot the younger kids.”

Even in her pursuit to play the sport she loves in college, Hare still puts academics first.

Hare hopes to attend a D-III university where she can focus on the academics but continue to play volleyball.
Quayle relishes the chance to lead the team with Hare.

“Looking forward to a fantastic year with Trish,” said Quayle. “I think that we will successfully lead this team.”