Twenty wins and 0 losses. That is the record the Loomis Chaffee varsity girls volleyball team compiled this fall season. 

Not only that, but the team dropped only four sets the entire season. To put that achievement into perspective, the team won 60 sets.

The volleyball season concluded with the Pelicans hoisting the New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) Class A Championship trophy after defeating Sacred Heart Greenwich on Sunday, November 19. This was a full-circle moment for the team, which played the same Sacred Heart team in its season opener. 

However, achieving a feat like this one is not all glitz and glamour. It took the entire team fully committing to the process in order to reach their objectives. This commitment meant making sacrifices, giving their best effort every day, and outworking every other team in the NEPSAC — all things that the Loomis girls volleyball team excelled at doing this season. 

Head coach Jeff Dyreson asked his team the question, “Are you in?” all season long. “You are either all-in, or you need to step out, and there is no in between,” Jeff said. “Being all-in is what allows teammates to successfully support each other and thrive on the court.” The team members clearly embraced this ideology, and every time they hit the court this season, it was clear that they were all-in. 

Commitment from every member of the team allowed their bond to flourish during the season. 

Senior captain Maddie Moenkhaus said, “what made our team so successful was our bond. We have a super close-knit team, and that’s what carried us through this year.”

Junior Liv Westfort added that the team’s achievements this season were “a collective effort, and it never felt like it was just one person carrying the team.” 

It was clear that this group bought into the team's beliefs because when hardships hit, the Pelicans continued to soar.

Junior Shaylee Moreno described a time during the season when she struggled and how her team helped her get through it. “I personally had a hiccup in the middle of the season, and everyone on the team was able to support me during that time. Our team is so open and accepting which has really allowed us all to grow,” she said.

The team also faced many pressures as the Pelicans entered the post-season at 17-0 with just two lost sets in the entire regular season. Coach Dyreson explained that each game had its challenges with quarterfinal opponent Andover presenting itself as a trap game, semifinal foe Deerfield coming off last year’s Class A Championship, and Sacred Heart being the last stop before glory.

However, no matter what was thrown its way, the Loomis team made it through.  

The Pelicans also had tons of fun with each other off the court. When asked about her favorite part of the season (outside of winning the Class A Championship), senior captain Emma Wuchenich shared a memory that had nothing to do with volleyball.

“The first time we ever played music for our warmup, everyone was singing, dancing, and having a great time. That was one of the first instances where we knew this season was going to be a special one,” she said. It’s safe to say Emma was right. 

The Loomis community congratulates each and every member of the varsity girls volleyball team on their historic season.