Continuing upon their landmark athletic season, the Manhattan Academy of Technology Dragons added another first: the first girls volleyball team in school history.
The team is led by teacher-coaches Sabine Kullman, Megan Klemchuk, Alana DeMatteo, Coach Melissa and Coach Ann DeFalco. “The coaches are doing an amazing job,” said athletic director John De Matteo. “Volleyball is such a fundamental skill sport and it takes so long to learn all the technical aspects of the game, but our girls have learned so much….I am so proud of our girls and the level of commitment they have shown. Volleyball is here to stay at M.A.T. and I look forward to seeing the girls play in games to come.”
Playing in their first tournament ever after just learning the game a month prior, the girls placed fourth in the tournament field last week and had some moments of showing the signs of a team much more experienced. “Technically, I thought we were more fundamentally sound than most of the other teams at the tournament,” said coach Kullman. “When our girls get another month or so of practice in, we’ll be a tough team to beat. I look forward to our games after the break.”
“After only three weeks of practice the girls looked strong and ready for a solid season of competition,” said coach Klemchuk. “I’m proud of the team for showing great sportsmanship and teamwork”.
With over 35 girls involved in the volleyball program, not only is it one of the biggest sports in the school, but it practices the most as well, practicing five days a week at 7 a.m. The girls are scheduled to play I.S. 140 and Wagner Middle School in the winter season coming up after the Christmas Break.
