The Course of the Vixens

Niamh Werner is a Copy editor for The Spectator.

After a disappointing end to their previous season, the Stuyvesant girls’ volleyball team fought to reclaim their title as division champions—a feat they hadn’t achieved since the 2018 season. With a combination of determination, adaptability, and teamwork, the Vixens aimed to reassert their dominance on the court.

The Vixens hit the ground running at the start of their season. “The team aimed to start the season with a lot of confidence and almost a sense of vengeance because last year we finished second in our division for the first time in over a decade,” coach Vasken Choubaralian said. Preparing for this year’s competition, the team experimented with new plays and improved their warm-up regimen. “​​I really wanted to focus on improving our hustle and adaptability on the court,” senior captain Winifred Thompson said. Thanks to the coordination of the captains and Choubaralian, the Vixens were able to showcase their versatility and adapt to the different strategies of their opponents this season.

After losing their seniors from last year, the Vixens had lots of room to change their lineup. “A challenge was finding the lineup with the best chemistry and results,” Choubaralian said. Rising to the challenge, the Vixens eventually found their rhythm through consistent practice and teamwork. “It was this desire for practice and training that brought the team together,” senior captain Niamh Werner said. 

Despite their hard work and drive, the Vixens were plagued by injuries, leading to frequent changes in the lineup. “About five or six girls sprained their ankles, so we had a lot of players in ankle wraps through the duration of the season,” Werner said. Although the team also suffered from concussions, shoulder tears, and back and knee injuries, these injuries gave more players an opportunity to step up and gain experience, developing a strong, game-ready bench.

One of the Vixens strongest wins was at the Cardozo High School tournament where they defeated Hunter High School. “[Hunter] was bigger, better, and more experienced and we were even missing a starter,” said Choubaralian. Despite the odds being seemingly stacked against them, the girls successfully showcased their tenacity and skill. With the score looking grim after losing the first set 19-25, they regrouped and completed an epic comeback with a 6-0 run in the second set. Ending the second set with a 27-25 score, the Vixens sealed the deal by winning their third set with a 26-24 score, and thus also the game. “To win against them at this tournament was so incredible… we were all very proud of each other,” Werner said. 

This high lasted for the entire regular season, as the Vixens were able to champion an undefeated regular season—an accomplishment that eluded them last year. Their 10-0 standing enabled them to soar straight to the playoffs. However, the Vixens would be put to the test, playing without captain and setter Thompson, who was out due to an injury. 

  Their first round of playoffs against Brooklyn Tech doubled as the team’s senior night, underlining the significance of this game. Having previously tied with Tech in a scrimmage, the Vixens had a lot to prove. They attracted a large, amped crowd, while the team made personalized posters for the seniors. The energy and support from both the crowd and bench amplified the Vixens determination to make the night memorable. “We ended up having a repeat of the Hunter game where we lost the first set but won the second and third. It was a bittersweet night since it was senior night, but definitely such an amazing experience overall,” said Werner. Their second round of the playoffs also resulted in a decisive 2-0 win against New Dorp, leading the triumphant team to quarter finals. 

In the quarter-finals, the Vixens faced Staten Island Technical High School. “We went into the game with confidence even though they had beaten us twice before this season. We knew what to expect and we knew what had to be done,” said Choubaralian. Losing their first set, the need to win the second increased tenfold, for it was the only way to move on to the third and final set. They had forged a six-point lead twice during the second set, but Staten Island Tech was able to close the gap and win by a mere two points at the end of the match. The Vixens lost the final set 24-26. “The fact that we even put ourselves in a position to get close to winning is greatly commendable. We played some of our best volleyball that game and it was amazing. There were so many good things that happened in that game; it just hurt all of us a little bit more because we all thought we had it,” Choubaralian said. 

The success of the Vixens was a joint effort with notable contributions from promising underclassmen. “Madison Mo is our libero and she’s really been one of our strongest players on and off the court, even as a sophomore. She’s incredibly supportive and funny and her confidence in back row defense has made us a stronger team, especially when playing against teams who have tall, hard hitters,” Werner said. Mo has been able to lead her team defensively, providing that essential, supporting backbone. Freshman setter Caelyn Dar was also crucial to the team following the string of injuries the team faced throughout the season. “[Dar] is such a skilled player and I feel so fortunate to pass the torch to someone who will probably be one of the best setters the volleyball program has ever had,” Thompson said.

The Vixens’ resilience, coordination, and adaptability not only helped them reclaim their status as one of the top teams in the division, but also laid a strong foundation for the future Vixens. “The team is only getting stronger and I can’t wait to see what they do next season,” Thompson said.