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11/01/2018 12:00 AMSam DeAngelo has played softball for several years and is already looking forward to helping the North Branford softball team win its fifth straight Shoreline Conference title next spring. However, Sam also likes playing volleyball and recently completed her career on the court with the Thunderbirds. In fact, Sam suited up as a senior captain for North Branford volleyball this fall.
“My main sport is volleyball, even though I’ve played softball my whole life,” says Sam. “When I started playing my freshman year, I just fell in love with it.”
Sam played right-side hitter for the T-Birds and thinks that position truly suited her strengths. Sam was relied upon to hammer home kills, but she also liked passing the ball to her teammates to give them the opportunity to do so.
“While the outside and middle hitters are used more, right side is always there just in case,” Sam says. “The right side tends to pass more, as well as just hitting. So, this year, that has become an asset, because I pass as well as I hit it.”
Sam contributed all around the court for North Branford, finishing the recent season with 96 digs. As a captain, Sam knew it was important for her to be a key player in all facets of the game.
“Personally, I love being a captain, because it’s a rewarding feeling having the girls look up to you. It’s a lot of fun, because our team is very close, especially the juniors and seniors,” says Sam. “It makes it more enjoyable, because we never fight and have no issues. It makes it easier to work together as a team on and off the court.”
Tori Ramada was in her first year as head coach of the North Branford volleyball squad this fall. Ramada says that Sam did an excellent job of leading the T-Birds throughout the season.
“Sam is a great leader and a hard worker on and off the court,” says Ramada. “She always works hard and during practices and makes sure that everyone is participating and giving 100 percent.”
Sam also puts in plenty of hard work as a member of the softball team at North Branford. While the volleyball team hasn’t seen as much success as the softball squad, Sam says that there’s great chemistry among the athletes on both clubs.
“It’s just a really different feeling from volleyball, but also kind of similar. Just because volleyball doesn’t have the reputation doesn’t mean we’re not the same family. We still work together,” says Sam. “In softball it’s a good feeling, because we know we have the ability to win. We just have to work together to achieve it.”
Sam has been a catcher on the diamond for quite some time. She volunteered to step behind the plate one day as a kid and hasn’t looked back. Sam likes that she gets to be involved in every play while manning the catcher’s position.
“When I played rec when I was younger, my team didn’t have a catcher, so I tried it and stuck with it. I realized I loved it because of how much action it gets,” Sam says. “My knowledge has increased immensely throughout playing from rec to travel to high school. My coaches have been great teaching me the different technical skills I need to know.”
Sam has a batting average of .286 to go along with one home run and 12 RBI during her varsity softball career. Sam feels honored to have been part of three Shoreline Conference title runs at North Branford and wants to experience that feeling once again in her senior season.
“It’s an amazing feeling at the end of the Shoreline championship, running on the field and celebrating with your team,” says Sam. “It’s a great feeling and makes it really fun.”