O’Connell’s varsity volleyball team has high expectations for the 2022 season after a historic season last year.  Last year, the team finished with a 32-4 record, defeating Holy Cross in the WCAC championship and finishing second in the state championship to Flint Hill. With their first conference win since 1995 under their belts, this team has caught a lot of attention, both at O’Connell and in the DMV.  

With only three out of six starters returning, the lineup is not quite the same. Losing key seniors is always a challenge, but the team continues to stay resilient. Younger players are stepping up, and with a rather small roster, every player contributes to the team’s success. “We had to make a lot of adjustments, which was difficult at first,” junior Maddy Bowser says, “but we’ve been crushing other teams, and we’re nowhere near 100%.” As of early October the team is 20-1, with Holy Cross handing O’Connell their only loss for the season.

This year’s team captains are senior Grace Maria, junior Maddy Bowser, and junior Erin Debiec. They are working hard to fill the shoes of last year’s senior captains. Erin, who recently committed to play division one volleyball at Colorado State, says, “As captains, I feel like we’ve really stepped up and created a positive working environment.” 

As the team continues to improve and work together, chemistry on the court is constantly developing. For this resilient O’Connell team, anything is possible this season.