Landmark Season for PHS Volleyball

This fall, Portland High School’s volleyball program created history by competing at the varsity level for the first time.

Head coach Mary Tobias said her Highlanders have grown leaps and bounds since they first started as a junior varsity team in the fall of 2021.

“To see the growth in them is why you coach,” added Tobias. “They’ve grown into the sport and they understand the skills and have gotten better at the skills.”   

When the team took the court for their first official varsity game on Sept 7, it was the payoff for a project that was started three years ago by Bella Hettrick-Rivera.

Hettrick-Rivera grew up around the sport of volleyball, but the high school didn’t have a team, so she took matters into her own hands — using her Capstone Project as an opportunity to bring a volleyball program to Portland High.

“The idea came my junior year and originally I thought it would be too late to make my Capstone, but I wanted to compete it anyways because I wanted to play,” recalled Hettrick-Rivera, who had previously played club volleyball outside of school. “I wanted to bring that community to Portland high School.”

After numerous meetings with school administrators and sending a proposal to the Connecticut Interscholastic Association Conference (CIAC) — the governing body of high school sports — Hettrick-Rivera’s dream became a reality the fall of her senior year when the Highlanders made their debut, playing a handful of road games at the junior varsity level.

“I knew it wouldn't be the level I was used to, but I was totally okay with that. I was just excited to have that kind of experience with my fellow classmates,” recalled Hettrick-Rivera, who graduated after the initial season. 

Following another season at the junior varsity level in 2022, the Highlander took on a varsity schedule this fall with a roster full of eager players aiming to elevate the program to the next level. 

Elvira Medunjanin, Katie Laverty, and Ella Royea have been with the program since day one and have now assumed the captain’s chairs for the initial varsity team. 

Along with being the most vocal player, Medunjanin is the lone senior captain, using her outgoing personality and positive attitude to influence the team.  

“Being the only senior captain is cool, it gives me a feeling of leadership,” stated Medunjanin, who added that her goal this fall was to get the team to communicate more. “Everyone gets more connected. It helps us out on the court and in school, and everywhere.” 

Laverty and Royea, both juniors, said that Medunjanin has influenced the entire team in a positive way.  

Tobias agrees, adding, “Elvira is always positive. No matter what anybody does on the court, she finds that positive piece. She is our cheerleader for sure — the girls really look up to her.”

When building a program, experience is always tough to find and Laverty, who plays club in the offseason, is using her knowledge to help the team. She said being a varsity captain is something she takes seriously. 

“I feel honored,” added Laverty, a starting setter. “We are the ones that are encouraging everyone on the team and inspiring them — we try to make the sport fun for everyone.” 

Now having nearly three full seasons under their belts, Royea said it is the connection between players that is the biggest difference on the court this fall. 

“We have a lot more chemistry as a team on the court and off the court.” added Royea. “I think we have more knowledge of how the game works and for a lot of people it’s the first time playing, so we’ve been able to bring everyone together.”

Tobias, who was previously an assistant volleyball coach at CHS, has been heading the program since day one.  

The third-year head coach credited Hettrick-Rivera for laying the groundwork and added that the early days in the fall of 2021 were a learning experience as the team didn’t have much of the equipment needed, forcing the team to use makeshift nets and play all road games.   

She added that her three captains are the perfect trio for a program building for the future, saying they each bring something different to the table.  

“They are the best kids. I couldn't have asked for better mentors for the kids coming in,” noted Tobias. “They are leaders for sure; they are enthusiastic and positive,” 

Coming into the week, the Highlanders are winless in the first 13 matches this fall, yet wins and losses are not what will define the program’s initial season at a varsity level.

Instead, Tobias said that the team resembles a legitimate varsity team that has used the experience of the last couple of seasons to create a winning locker room.  

“They are now playing as a team and putting in actual plays. It’s really nice to see,” added Tobias. “We’re trying to build a culture of sportsmanship and they have taken that to the nth degree. It’s wonderful to see their growth.”

For Hettrick-Rivera, seeing her Capstone project morph into a varsity team has been an “amazing experience.”

“It makes me feel like I left my mark on the school and there is some legacy there,” added Hettrick-Rivera, who is currently studying aerospace and mechanical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. “I’m so glad those girls get that opportunity now.’

​The Highlanders have three matches left this season, including consecutive home dates, starting tonight (Friday, Oct. 20) against Coginchaug. They also host Cromwell this upcoming Monday, Oct. 23 in their home finale. Both matches start at 5:30 p.m.