By Jess Waggoner ’12, Staff Writer

Progress. That is probably the best word to use if you are trying to describe the Newark Academy volleyball team’s last few years. From 2006-2008 the team hovered stagnantly around mediocrity, recording two season win percentages below 50% and losing over ten games in all three campaigns within that time frame. Since that time, the Minutemen have been nothing but spectacular. A combination of good coaching, hard work, and a developing team dynamic all culminated in the successful 2010 season, resulting in what has become perhaps the greatest season in the program’s history.

“We really just exploded this year,” said Ahlia Bethea ’13.  The squad turned a lightning quick start into prolonged success, finishing league play with a perfect 15-0 record, and adding another victory in non-league competition. Sophomore varsity player Eliza Huber-Weiss believes her team’s newfound success was a result of “every individual player working on her personal skills and taking accountability, instead of just looking to others. We’ve really become a team.”

Led by sole senior, Marie Quintana, the team has perhaps most been aided in its dominance by a blossoming junior class that includes Carly Manger, Sanjana Umarale, Navya Maddali and Jaqueline Acierno, who have all benefited from concentrated development in the program. The youth and athleticism of freshmen Elizabeth Meijer and Caroline Beardsley and sophomores Brooke Trayer and Ahlia Bethea have complemented the experienced team core as well.

The program’s determination will not go without reward this year, as they have earned an automatic bid in the state tournament – something that excites the coaches and players alike. “We’ve been here before, but this year feels special, we can definitely go far,” said junior Navya Maddali.

It is hard to believe that this soaring program was stuck in a figurative rut just a mere three years ago. They have since progressed with such ease, the program can only be expected to continue in a positive ascension for years to come.