Behind standout performances from Nicole Alden, Olivia Oriaku, Angela Schwerer and Caroline Campione, St. Ed’s varsity volleyball team defeated Somerset Canyons High School in straight sets last Thursday to improve its record to 2-1 in Class 3A, District 11. Overall, the Pirates reached the break-even mark at 6-6.
Starting this past Monday, nine more regular season matches will be played at a pace of three per week. The Pirates square off with district rivals only two more times during that stretch. The tournament quarterfinals start Oct. 19.
Head Coach Doug Leman does not know exactly what lies in store for his team. The district has a new look that includes some fresh faces along with some familiar foes.
“Enrollments changed and districts got realigned,” Leman explained. “We still play Benjamin and Jupiter Christian and those will always be tough matches. With some of the newer ones we really didn’t know what to expect. We always prepare as if they are as good a team as we’ve ever seen.”
The mid-term district report card went pretty much as scripted. St. Ed’s defeated newcomers Florida Atlantic University High School and Somerset Canyons rather handily. Benjamin was another story.
“We saw Benjamin already so we know what we have to shoot for,” Leman said. “They played very well and I thought we did, too. We did a lot of good things against them and still got beat pretty good (9-25, 9-25, 14-25). So we’ve got to step it up a little and I believe we can. It’s just a matter of knuckling down in practice and getting it going.”
The Pirates traveled to Berean Christian this week and have a home court encounter with Jupiter Christian next week to complete the regular season portion of the district schedule.
St. Ed’s roster is top-heavy with experience as it features five seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and one freshman.
“Senior leadership is very important,” Leman told us. “What’s more important is that they do not consider themselves special in any way because they are seniors. This group is very good at that. They are very helpful in bringing along the younger players and including them in everything.”
The starters are well established but everyone finds playing time.
“Senior Olivia is our captain at middle,” Leman said. “She plays all the way around. Not a lot of middles will play back row, but she’s got great defensive skills.
“We have Caroline Campione at left side and Nicole on the right side. Both are seniors and great leaders. At center we have juniors Emily Hudson and Angela Schwerer. Both do a great job for us as well. Our other starter is freshman Catherine Campione, Caroline’s sister. She was a nice surprise for us this year.”
Nicole Alden plays an all-around game, particularly on offense. She can hurt the other team with a timely kill – often in the form of a simple tap back to an open space – or a service ace. She also has another function that is just as crucial to team dynamics.
“I try to see that everybody is pumped-up and having fun out there,” Alden said. “I think I’m succeeding at that. I know that this is the most fun I’ve ever had on the volleyball team. Certainly part of that is realizing that I’m a senior.
“We are all very good friends and we communicate well with each other. I always try to do my best with everyone. I give advice to the younger players if I think it will help. Some of the players in our district are really hard competitors, but if we are on our game we will succeed.”
Captain Oriaku was late to one game, but her excuse was considered acceptable. “I was trying out for the all-state choir and made it past the first round,” she explained.
“I’ve been playing volleyball since 7th grade. Coach Leman was actually my first club volleyball coach. I’ve been on the varsity for four years now. This season has been one of the best. We’ve really grown much closer as a team and had a lot of fun together.
“Coach has definitely helped me grow as a player over the years. He’s helped me communicate with teammates and become a better overall team player. I think our team will grow from here and just continue to have fun.”
Leman acknowledges the importance of what those two seniors articulated.
“This group gets along just fine with each other and that’s a bonus. I mean any time you have a team where the players are friends, it’s a great thing. We have two sets of sisters from different classes and that helps tie everyone together. Because of that they all know each other, and it has worked out really well.”
