Tigers volleyball senior appreciation celebration extended with win against Bellport

The girls varsity volleyball team recorded a win against the Bellport Clippers this past Friday, October 1, a perfect ending to an energetic and emotional senior appreciation game that acknowledged the seniors’ last season on the team, as well as the parents who have helped support them along the way.

Energy was high as the varsity and junior varsity teams prepped for the pre-game celebration. With the game against Bellport pushed back 90 minutes, the girls had extra time in the gym, its bleachers filled with both cardboard and real-life, in-person spectators, as well as posters dedicated to each senior.

Prior to the game, each Northport senior was given a sendoff by their “little sister/s,” younger teammates who had been paired up with their older teammates. Coach Chris Fritch commended the seniors for their hard work and dedication, both last year and now, and saluted the parents for being right by their daughters’ sides for a difficult but rewarding journey.

Before and throughout the pandemic, he said, the seniors put in long hours and displayed an unwavering commitment to the sport. “These girls have always shown their love for their game and their commitment to the game and their teams,” Coach Fritch added, before saluting the senior parents, too. “We would not be able to do it without all of your help,” he said. “Thank you for supporting our girls and our program as a whole.”

The girls went on to beat Bellport 3-1 (25-18, 20-25, 25-15, 25-10). Allison Soule had 15 kills and seven digs; Emma Watts had 10 kills.

The girls varsity volleyball seniors are: Allison Soule, Madeleine Cierski, Natalia D’Onofrio, Caitlin Gilchrist, Sophia Yearwood, Karina Jiminez, and Hayley Zaharis.