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07/19/2020 12:00 AMThe 2019 East Haven girls’ volleyball team was led by the final group of Yellowjackets that started for the squad in the 2017 Class M State Tournament championship match. As the Easties prepare to potentially take the floor in 2020, Head Coach Craig Brown is hoping that his returning athletes will establish a new foundation that will benefit the team this year and beyond.
“I want these kids to build their own culture. Sometimes kids can try to be too much like the past or be too much like a sibling. Everyone has got to pave their own way,” said Brown. “I set the program, I set the course, but it’s up to these kids to perform the way they want to. If they want to build up a program a certain way, we’re going to push ahead that way. We want them to be individuals and build up their mentality the right way.”
East Haven features seven seniors on its roster. The Yellowjackets’ seniors are opposite hitters Gia Buonfiglio and Kayla Goodrich, middle blockers Brooke Clancy and Taylor Salato, defensive specialist Megan Gaudioso, outside hitter Carly Cordova, and outside hitter/libero Tori Heaphy. Cordova and Heaphy are leading the team as its captains this year. Both athletes have been members of the varsity team since their freshman seasons.
“They’re both four-year seniors. They’ve both been competing since day one. They have shown a lot of promise and development,” Brown said of his captains. “Tori has given us a lot of flexibility positionally, playing outside hitter and libero. Carly has been a consistent developer at outside hitter. They have a lot of experience, and we look forward to their continued development from a player standpoint and leadership standpoint.”
Coach Brown said that this year’s class of seniors is the biggest one he’s had during his 10 years as East Haven’s head coach. Brown said that there is a great deal of athleticism and tenacity among his senior athletes.
Last season’s team featured nine freshmen who are now entering their sophomore years. Coach Brown wanted all of them to work hard throughout the offseason in order to compete for a starting role. Brown said that every position in his starting lineup is “wide open” and that he is going to go with his top players, regardless of what class they are in.
“The positions are all wide open. We have everyone coming back, and everyone will compete for playing time, whether that is the big group of seniors or the juniors, all the way down to even freshmen,” said Brown. “We plan on playing the best players. Whoever comes back the most ready is going to get the most opportunity.”
East Haven went 10-11 on its way to qualifying for the SCC and Class M State tournaments last fall. That team relied on a collection of seniors who had plenty of experience in postseason matches. While this year’s club doesn’t have as much experience, Coach Brown still believes that the Yellowjackets can have a winning record and then make some waves in the playoffs.
“That senior class was the last class that had starters in our state championship game,” Brown said. “This group now is riding off of wanting to get back there after not playing in the game. Now, it’s their turn to turn the leaf over and turn the program over and make it their own run.”
While Brown wants the Easties to notch as many victories as possible, he also understands that the fall season is still in limbo due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Brown feels that simply getting on the court will be a victory in and off itself. If East Haven is able to play, Coach Brown wants his athletes to make the most of that opportunity.
“After everything that’s happened and after how many kids on my team who weren’t able to finish their basketball season or compete in softball, I hope they live it and enjoy it every day,” said Brown. “Eventually, whether it be like what has gone on or even just growing up and going off to college, you may never play this game or see these people the same way again. Absorb it all in. Have a good time and enjoy the ride.”
2020 East Haven Volleyball Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 5: East Haven Preseason Jamboree at 9 a.m.
Monday, Sept. 7: vs. Mercy at 5 p.m. (scrimmage)
Wednesday, Sept. 9: vs. Hamden at 4 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 10: at Branford at 6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 16: vs. North Haven at 5:15 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 18: at West Haven at 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 21: vs. Lauralton Hall at 5:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 23: at Jonathan Law at 5:15 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26: at John Jay (New York) at 5:15 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 28: at Foran at 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 30: vs. Guilford at 5:15 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 2: at Daniel Hand at 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 5: vs. Branford at 5:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 7: at North Haven at 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 9: vs. West Haven at 5:15 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 12: at Lauralton Hall at 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16: vs. Jonathan Law at 5:15 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 19: vs. Foran at 5:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 20: vs. Seymour at 5:15 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23: at Guilford at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 26: vs. Daniel Hand at 5:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 28: at Woodland at 6 p.m.