Newington’s Massaro-Cook is CCSU-Bound

Newington senior Madison Massaro-Cook with parents Jennifer Massarro-Cook and Ronald Cook, along with brother John Massaro, as she signs letter of intent to play college volleyball at CCSU

Newington’s all-state volleyball senior Madison Massaro-Cook will continue her athletic and academic journey at Central Connecticut State University next fall.

Massaro-Cook made it official in November, electing to stay close to home and compete at a Division I level, “It was a welcoming and friendly environment from the start. The way the coaching staff and the head of the departments greeted me during my visit was phenomenal. It felt like a family, and that is what attracted me so much.”

The senior spiker will graduate this spring, leaving NHS as one of the most productive players in the program’s history. She played four years at a varsity level, helping the team win 51 matches during her tenure, leading the team in kills in each of the last three seasons, including 127 this past fall during a shortened 11-game schedule, averaging a career high 3.3 kills per set. She also led the team in aces during her junior and senior seasons.

Chris Wanner, who coached Massaro-Cook her freshman through junior seasons at NHS, said, “What made Maddie a good player was her athleticism, love of the game, and sheer determination. The minute she walked in the gym her freshman year, she started imagining herself as a great player and then she did what needed to be done to excel. She learned and she practiced. Maddie is coachable and she consistently worked on her physical skills and her mental skills to improve her performance.” 
 
Along with 2020’s all-state recognition, she was also a three-time all-conference selection. Off the court, she’s an all-conference golfer, finishing fifth overall on the links as a sophomore in 2019 at the CCC championships.

“Leaving NHS, I will miss the strong relationships and connections I have developed with the coaching staff and teachers. Along with my closest friends,” stated Massaro-Cook, who also helped raise awareness for mental health as a member of Stop the Stigma Club at Newington High, “I will miss all of their support, however I am ready to start the next chapter!”

At CCSU, she will major in Biomolecular Science as she joins a Blue Devil squad that is consistently in the Northeast Conference Tournament and have played in the NEC championship game in two of the last three competitive seasons.

​“I am beyond excited to compete at the next level. I want to grow my skills and develop into a stronger and more assertive player, and I think I can do that at the next level. I cannot wait to play with an extreme level of intensity, which will push me to be even better.”

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