EA volleyball team celebrates inaugural season

Sofia Foulds ’26

Addi Thomas ’27

This fall, Episcopal has expanded its opportunities to the female athletes of the middle school through the introduction of volleyball. This inaugural season marks an exciting time for the Episcopal Academy, where volleyball has finally become part of the school’s athletics program—an addition that’s long been anticipated. Assistant Athletic Director Katie Duffie explains that the idea of forming a volleyball program had been “kicked around for a long time.” EA was one of only two schools in the league without a volleyball team, and the growing interest among students prompted action. 

The idea for the team originally started about two years ago with conversations happening both in the athletic department and the EA community at large, exemplifying the growing desire for a team. Duffie explains that the process happened fairly quickly due to its overwhelming support from students, faculty, and administration alike. “It did not take long to transition from idea to fruition” states Duffie. Volleyball has become increasingly popular in Delaware County and the surrounding areas. The Inter-Ac league is very competitive in the sport, with Notre Dame and Germantown Academy facing off in this year’s PAISAA championship just last week.

The most difficult obstacle to overcome was: How will there even be enough people to play? 

The program will welcome athletes whether they have been playing volleyball for years or they just started playing. Duffie says, “EA yields many multi-sport athletes, so volleyball may come naturally to them as it incorporates many skills used in other sports.” The coaches help the girls learn the rules and how to hit the ball in a judgment-free zone. The program during games lets the B Team girls become line judges as the A Team girls battle it out on the court. 

The positive atmosphere of the gym during the A Team game was led by the B Team girls who created different chants and sang the fight song during different sets. Although the girls of both A and B had no league wins throughout the season, the team is not focused on the outcome but on the process. 

Overall, the team atmosphere has been supportive and full of energy. Assistant Coach Chrissy Cerenzia adds, “The energy has been great, the camaraderie of the girls.” Assistant Coach Sasha Williams indicates that her favorite part of the team is “The energy…the wanting to get 1% better each practice.” Williams notes how the girls would “come together to work on partner passing/circle passing” contributing to their energy at practice. Both coaches noted the massive amount of pride they see within the girls and the team’s successes. 

Head Coach Rachel Scott has been coaching volleyball for 17 years but the sport has always been a part of her life. While attending the University of Maryland, Scott played as a libero and setter. Scott notes that her relationship with the players is her “favorite part.” Scott is part of the reason the volleyball program has such great energy and team chemistry. Scott hopes for the new program to be “inclusive; I hope the girls work hard, have swag, and for a team that is together.” She hopes that the same energy and even more can be brought to the new upper school program next year. 

Member of the middle school volleyball team, Ella Christie ’30 says how “This was my first year ever playing volleyball.” Christie finds everyone on the team “so positive and kind,” Christie even states “…you would never doubt that we all had a lot of energy.” Being new to the sport this year, Christie was able to adapt well and always found the team to be a welcoming environment. 

 Christie reminisces back to the first practice stating “I remember trying to hit the volleyball for the first time, and it hurt really bad. I also remember looking at the coach’s demonstration drills and thinking, ‘I could never do that.’ But at the end of the year, I could!” Christie’s coaches were always alongside her and her teammates, helping them discover the sport of volleyball.

Christie speaks very highly of the team within the EA sports programs, “The Volleyball program is unlike any team I have ever played on. The amount of encouragement and teamwork we all had together was amazing. For example, after every single play, we would all come together and high-five even though we might not have won that play.” 

No matter the outcome the team always puts up a fight. Christie comments,  “One word I would use to describe our team is encouraging. Although my team didn’t win any games I would say that the whole team never lost the excitement or energy we had. Even the coaches never stopped encouraging each other and I believe that is all that matters.” Christie found her first year with the team amazing and hopes to continue her EA volleyball career into the rest of middle school and hopefully join the upcoming program in the upper school.

Sam Cellucci ’26, a volleyball player for East Coast Power, is extremely excited for the introduction of her sport at EA. She says, “The welcome of a new sports family will be great for EA” and she is excited to see what the team will be able to accomplish in the coming years.

Episcopal Volleyball is looking to expand into the Upper School next year, and female student-athletes highly anticipate the sport’s introduction. With an extremely high demand for volleyball, the Episcopal community is hoping for a smooth and successful first season. Success within the Inter-Ac would make history, and hopes are high throughout EA athletics, as beliefs are widespread that the Upper School program will adapt to the new atmosphere. While it’s inevitable that adding a new varsity program will draw athletes from other teams, the coaching staff hopes that students who find themselves with an interest in the sport reach out and ask any questions no matter their background. Volleyball should be seen as a space to be fun and competitive all at once. The anticipation of the team stands as one of the ‘nail-biting’ attributes for the fall 2025 season. 

Any person who watches an Episcopal Academy volleyball game will see the energy and team chemistry. The girls continue to surprise different schools within the Inter-Ac through their grit and determination. Throughout the team’s season, the players and coaches have seen major improvements in technique and energy, creating another flourishing community within EA that will soon carry on to the Upper School.