After establishing expectations of hard work and competitiveness back in August, the New Trier High School girls volleyball team has seen its values have paid off. Going 16-4 overall and 5-1 in conference games, the Trevians hope to continue playing with consistency and unity as the playoffs approach on Oct. 28.

Head coach Hannah Hsieh hopes to see the team grow in strength and develop its play as the season progresses. While the team is very talented, Hsieh believes taking advantage of every opportunity will be essential to their continued success. 

“I am okay with taking losses as long as we are getting better and things are coming along,” Hsieh said. “If we have to make adjustments, that’s okay.”

After the first loss of the season on Sept. 21 to Loyola Academy, where they fell in the first set 25-17 and 25-22 in the second, it has been key for the team to treat every mistake and defeat as a teachable moment. This has helped keep the team strong despite tough games.

“Everyone [comes] in every day willing to work no matter what may have happened at school, outside of school, or the game the night before,” junior middle blocker Calia Cremascoli said. “Even when we may not play our best, we have defended our record and had moments to learn from.”

Despite losing talented seniors last year, new players and consistent work in the offseason led to the team having a deeper bench and being able to utilize more players. The balance on the court has allowed the team to run more creative and diverse plays, keeping opponents on their toes.

While the team boasts 16 wins, one struggle has been consistency, which the team has been focusing on improving during games and practices. 

“We are working on having less ups and downs within a set and letting other teams get runs on us,” Cremascoli said. “In the future, we hope to win games quicker and have a sense of urgency rather than playing down to another teams’ level.” 

The team saw their consistency improve during a recent match against Hamilton High School from Wisconsin, where the team won the first set 25-23 and the second set 25-21.

Since losing in super-sectionals to Benet Academy last year, the Trevs are working hard in practice to extend the state run this year. The team begins practice every day with a specific goal, looking to gain strength and momentum as the season progresses. By holding every player accountable and to high standards, Hsieh sees her players and team continually get better.

“It’s on us as coaches to make sure that the girls are performing,” Hsieh said. “We have to look at what we need to work on to get the players to where we want them to be playing.”

Hsieh’s steady and peaceful presence on the sideline helps further the team’s core values of family and mentorship, which fosters the calmness and leadership necessary for a championship team. 

“As a coach, we want the whole program to be bought into the team and not themselves. You can’t have one player take over the game in volleyball,” Hsieh said. “You need everybody doing their best and their part to get better. We need everyone to improve whether they see lots of playing time or not.”

The close personal relationships within the team is also integral to keeping the Trevs united as the games have higher steaks and more pressure.

“We are a pretty tight-knit team,” Cremascoli said. “We are able to stay united and motivated just by our love for the sport and each other.”

Junior middle Grace O’Rourke believes that the camaraderie and closeness of the team has been a large factor in their success. 

“My favorite part about being on the team is the people,” O’Rourke said. “Being together everyday brings the team so close together. [I have] a whole team of people to look to for advice and support.”

Beyond their closeness, the team emphasizes integrity and fairness, traits they hope competitors feel despite the competition on the court. The team does this by always cleaning up their bench after games and discussing the importance of sportsmanship regularly.

“We are asking the girls to know that it is a privilege to play at New Trier,” Hsieh said. “Along with that comes responsibility in how they conduct themselves and how they compete and behave in academics as well. That is a priority so they can continue to have the pleasure of playing.”

Though a state run is not guaranteed, the effort the team has put in throughout the season makes them a force to be reckoned with and a hopeful competitor in the state championship on Nov. 16.

“I don’t need to make the girls work harder,” Hsieh said. “They’ve figured it out and work their tails off to be competitive and make the team better.”