Written by Bella Wise

On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, the RCDS Girls Varsity Volleyball Team matched up against Greenwich Academy. In the first set, the Wildcats were down by twelve points, and despite a slight comeback, the Wildcats still lost the set by two points.  After losing the first two sets, the Wildcats crushed the Gators with a 25-9 win. The fourth set was slightly tougher as GA tried to match the Wildcats’ energy from the bench, but once Captain Cate Tucker ‘24 blocked their D1 commit, it was easily game over. The final set was a close call, but the Wildcats ultimately prevailed. 

The team’s 2023 record is currently 10-4 including tournament victories; this is a stark difference from last year’s 0-13 record. When Willow Edwards ‘25 was asked to compare her feelings about both seasons, she explained that besides the obvious, a better record, overall, there is a better team dynamic allowing Volleyball to become a respected program in the community. Last year, Edwards was the team’s starting defensive specialist. This year, as starting libero, she specializes in digging the opponent’s hits and somehow, as Bella Wise ‘25 states, “being everywhere at once.” Edwards’s favorite memory of the season was, “When we came back from losing 0-2 in sets and beat GA because the energy was so good, the gym came alive, and there was so much support from the team. We all stepped it up to win.”

Two days later, the Wildcats traveled to Connecticut to face up against Greens Farms Academy. RCDS dominated sets one and three against the Dragons with hits from Gabriela Schlumberger ‘25, digs by Edwards and Danielle Penn ‘24, and outstanding help on the court from Student Body Vice President, Emily Cheigh ‘25. The Wildcats went roaring into the final set against GFA hungry for a win, and finished it out with a win of 25-19.

One of the main reasons the RCDS Varsity Volleyball team has improved so dramatically this season is the leadership of new coach Alexi Donnelly, but another vital factor of this success is the addition of Autumn Tombline ‘25, a specialized setter, to the team. Tombline’s role as a specialized setter allows other members of the team to more successfully play their own positions.  Tombline began playing volleyball at age ten as a utility player, but ultimately chose to focus on setting, as she was intrigued by the unique difficulty of a seemingly simple skill. Additionally, Tombline noted that by being a setter, she has total control over the court and is able to make an impact on each and every player. 

After a morning full of PSAT and SAT torturous events, followed by an hour-long bus ride to Hamden Hall, the Wildcats matched up against the Hornets on Wednesday, October 11. The loss of the first set clearly didn’t reflect the RCDS Volleyball team’s best work, but the Wildcats doubled their energy to win the second set. During the fourth set, the Wildcats started out down players on and off the court, but Penn, the game’s star defensive specialist with her incredible serves and digs, stepped in to help the Wildcats win the set. In the fifth set the Wildcats came from behind again to earn another FAA win, leaving them second in rankings with a FAA record of 4-1. The Wildcats hope to continue their momentum in the FAA tournament.  

UPCOMING NOVEMBER SCHEDULE:

Mon. November 6 vs. FAA Quarter Finals @ TBD

Wed. November 8 vs. FAA Semi Finals @ TBD

Fri. November 10 vs. FAA Finals @ TBD