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09/26/2019 12:00 AMVolleyball is a big part of Sally Cucinotta’s family. Sally took an interest in the sport after watching her father John play in their backyard and went on to the join the squad at North Branford High School. This fall, Sally is leading the Thunderbirds as one of their senior captains.
“My dad plays with friends in our backyard a lot. We have people over every Monday, and we have a court in our backyard, so I’ve grown up watching him play,” says Sally. “I play outside a lot for fun, and I do winter league where he comes and helps out.”
An outside hitter, Sally is one of 12 seniors on North Branford’s roster. Sally and her senior teammates have high hopes for the season and want the T-Birds to succeed during their final year with the program.
“Our senior class in general is really close. We’re all really friendly with each other inside and outside of school,” Sally says. “Our entire varsity lineup is seniors, and we all want to go out with a bang and do well, because we know this is our last year. We all feel the same way, so we’re all working hard.”
Sally is leading North Branford alongside her three fellow captains this season. Sally likes holding her leadership role, especially when it comes to being vocal during matches.
“I love it. I’m very vocal. Even last year, you’d always hear me talking and yelling, so I think I fit the role pretty well,” says Sally. “Being a captain makes it easier to communicate with the rest of the team. They look up to you and you’re seen as a leader.”
Head Coach Tori Ramada describes Sally as a decisive leader who displays great ability on the court. Ramada says that these characteristics make Sally an ideal role model for the other athletes on the team.
“As one of the team captains and an outside hitter, Sally proves every day that she is a versatile athlete and leader. Not only are her volleyball skills honed and formidable, but her leadership skills are contagious,” Ramada says. “Sally is a true team player and always pushes her teammates to work together and play with confidence.”
Sally enters her senior year on the heels of a solid junior season. Sally recorded 107 digs to go with 61 kills and 15 aces for the T-Birds last fall.
“I’ve always been on the taller side, so outside hitter is the ideal position for me and what my coaches look at me as,” says Sally. “I jump pretty high and have a strong shoulder. My swing is pretty solid, so it all works out for me.”
Sally is also an attacker on North Branford girls’ lacrosse team, which has won the Shoreline Conference Tournament in each of the last two seasons. Sally has helped create a winning culture on the lacrosse field and is looking to do same with the volleyball squad.
“Going through high school on two different teams where one is successful, I know what I feels like to win and have a good record,” Sally says. “It makes me want to push more towards that in volleyball season.”
While she’s unsure if she is going to play sports in college, Sally is certainly going to enjoy her last go-round competing for two teams that she loves in North Branford.
“It’s been such a good experience being on two different teams,” says Sally. “Both are so fun.”