Leadership is Helping as Lenape Girls Volleyball Gains Momentum

MEDFORD, NJ — One would have to travel very far to find a sport as action-packed, fast-paced and explosive as volleyball.

The Lenape High School girls volleyball program is building momentum, having won five of their last six matches through the first week of October.

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A major reason for this is the responsible leadership demonstrated by the three captains: Isabella Avallone (senior), Aleaya Coppin (sophomore) and Hope Young (senior).

“Players first apply to be captain and answer a series of questions regarding leadership,’’ Lenape head coach Colleen Rucci said. “All players in the program then voted on the candidates. Once selected, captains were asked to read: The Twin Thieves: How Great Leaders Build Great Teams by Lucas Jadin and Steve Jones.’’

Through September, all three captains already notched some impressive statistics on the court.

“This is Hope Young's second year playing varsity,’’ Rucci said. “She is five kills away from reaching 100 career kills and 21 blocks away from being named the girls programs all-time top blocker.

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“This is Isabella Avallone's second year playing varsity. She is 11 digs away from reaching 200 varsity career digs. Aleya Coppin saw some varsity time last year, but this is her first year playing as a six rotation outside hitter. I imagine she will be breaking program records and hitting stat milestones during her junior/senior year.’’

There are always areas for a student athlete to improve in the sport of volleyball.

“The two senior captains have definitely stepped up in not only being examples for the younger players but being leaders on and off the court,’’ Rucci said. “We are a young varsity team this year and these two ladies have proven to be outstanding captains by helping our younger players adjust to the fast-paced matches and tough competition we see.

“As a team at the beginning of the season we struggled a bit in passing, attacking and serve not only in but aggressively. We have definitely improved in those areas, and we were able to have a big win against Cherokee on October 1. I am hoping for more of those big wins for the last half of our season.’’

In the classroom is where student athletes on the Indians roster work the hardest.

“A number of our athletes in our program excel academically at Lenape-they are taking AP, honors and accelerated courses,’’ Rucci said.

Lenape is scheduled to host Washington Township on Saturday, October 19.

“We believe that we get all get better at volleyball by having an intermixed practice. Freshmen, JV, and varsity practice together for the majority of the practice time,’’ Rucci said. “We also have a culture in our gym to cheer on good plays and effort. At the end of rallies during games, the girls come together whether it was a point for us or for the opposing team. I encourage my captains and seniors to help underclassmen with volleyball skills.

“We are in a rebuilding year having graduated seven seniors and I am excited to see our young players grow and improve throughout this season and future seasons.’’

NOTES: The individual statistics listed above were from matches played through the first week of October.

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