By Liam Reilly
@liampreilly852
During the off-season the women’s volleyball team lost seven seniors, leaving a lot of opportunities for younger players and newcomers. Springfield’s underclassmen have stepped up, helping the team get off to a 19-3 start halfway through the season.
This year’s first-year class has already cracked the rotation, with four of the Pride’s newest members having already played in 10 or more matches. Aubrey Hughes has played in all 22 of Springfield’s matches and has been a force to be reckoned with, tallying 143 kills, 39 aces and 49 blocks.
The Pride’s sophomore class has also made an impact. Alexa Bonato has become a prominent outside hitter for Springfield, recording 119 kills while Karenna Allain and Vanessa Gude have seen more playing time at the libero/defensive specialist position. Bonato suffered a stress fracture in her heel during the Pride’s preseason last year, ending her campaign prematurely.
“I would describe this season as a learning process because this is my first year playing, even though I’m a sophomore,” Bonato said. “Last year I was out the entire year due to injury even in the spring. Coming in the fall, I’ve been learning so much from coach and my teammates. I truly take every day to heart with what I’m learning because I’m a freshman on the court and sophomore at school.”
In the spring Bonato had sustained another injury, this time a buckle fracture in her wrist. Bonato didn’t let the injuries bring her down, and made the most of her situation by watching the upperclassmen ahead of her. Now she’s applying the knowledge learned onto the court.
“She came in, had a preseason with us and in the spring she had one week or so of practice and then she got hurt again, working out to her credit,” head coach Moira Long said. “She came in with a mindset of ‘I’m going to compete.’ This year she came in ready to compete and recognized that we graduated some pins and she was going to have some opportunities.”
To Long, a key player is someone that can embrace the team’s culture.
“Avery Chandler has been huge,” Long said. “She’s come off the bench in big moments like Emerson and Amherst and played really well. Emily Keaveney has been phenomenal for us this year. She’s our emotional leader and she’s the person who demands more. She’s been huge, she’s been a key player.”
What also defines a key player for Long isn’t what the stat sheet says, but someone who can embrace their role and do it to the best of their ability.
“It’s different for everyone, but from a culture standpoint it really has to do with who’s going to embrace what we’re looking for,” Long said. “Who plays together, who’s going to give, who’s going to respond? That’s the expectation for everyone. For me, key players are every single person on our roster.”
Springfield’s regular season is entering its final stages with just six games left. The Pride will face off against tough competition including Williams, Tufts and NEWMAC rival Babson. To end the regular season strong, the team will need its younger players to continue to step up.