As the fall sports season is now fully underway, some teams to look out for include the Boys Badminton and Girls Varsity Volleyball teams.
With a current record of 6-1, the Girls Volleyball team stands second in their division behind Metropolitan Campus.
Senior and captain Mila Servania has high hopes for this season and would like to win the city championship. Mila said, “With us losing most of our starting lineup after the class of ‘24 graduated, I’m proud that many were able to step up and start. Not only our starters though. Our bench is quite strong as well, and we’re all constantly learning.” Despite the strengths and growth the team has developed, Mila believes that the team must develop more on-court chemistry in order to make it as far as they hope in the playoffs.
Junior captain Emma Wu believes that the team’s record is a result of “how hard and how much time” the team puts in the gym. Emma hopes for everyone to improve this season and adds, “Last year, we made it to the semifinals and this year with perseverance and commitment, I know our team will be able to withstand that title.” Similarly, co-senior captain Emma Lee praises the team for their “strong communication” and “team dynamic.”
The team’s co-coach, physical education teacher Gabriela Pedreros applauded the team for their growth, dedication and their “great leadership.” To continue the team’s success, Ms.Pedreros believes that the team must “build chemistry on and off the court.”
The Girls Varsity Volleyball team is not the only Townsend Harris sports team that currently holds a spotless record.
The Boys Badminton team currently holds a 9-0 record and it can be anticipated that they will make it far in the playoffs, similar to last year.
The team’s coach, physical education teacher Matthew Lemanczyk, said, “We learned that it takes a tremendous amount of effort day in and day out to be competitive with the top teams in the city. There are a lot of good teams in NYC and a lot of tremendous Badminton players on those teams. Winning doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of top-notch effort while training and the willingness to adapt and improve every day.”
The team won the City Championship last year. However, captain and senior Apurbo Haider expressed challenges with the loss of the previous year’s seniors and said, “we’re hoping to build the team back to what it was and leave an even better team as I graduate.”
