I was honored with the opportunity to provide color commentary for Montgomery College TV’s (MCTV) broadcast of Montgomery College’s volleyball Sophomore night, in which we commemorated all nine of the team’s soon-to-be graduates: Allie Botha, Alaryss Medina, Rosely Valdivia, Vanessa Miller, Giovanna Serednicki De Avila, Hilary Malik, Janelle Orellana, Isabella Pavlo, and Rio Wexler.

If you were to ask me, I am a better writer than I am a speaker, but head coach Patti Westenberg put in word for me to commentate the affair alongside Andre Anderson; Westenberg and MCTV’s production team not only gave me the opportunity to cover what I love, but also step out of my comfort zone and into new forms of media coverage.

I was fortunate enough to be behind the mic for one of the more exciting matches in recent weeks. The Raptors, now 20-4, swept the Anne Arundel County Riverhawks for their fifth consecutive sweep in a row, meaning they haven’t lost a single set since Oct. 3. The Raptors’ last four matches were bludgeonings in their favor, blowing teams like the Baltimore City Panthers, Chesapeake College Skipjacks, and Westmoreland County Wolves by an average of 15 points per set. The Riverhawks (4-16) put a fight up, however, keeping the sets within an average of less than nine points.

Following various audio checks, communication with the production van parked outside of the Physical Education Center, and our Sophomore Commemoration, was the first set, in which the Raptors won 25-18, led by pin hitters Isabella Pavlo and Sofiia Mateshuk who both recorded three kills out of the gate.

Mateshuk and Pavlo’s dominance continued, as they combined for 20 of the Raptors’ 37 kills, recording 11 and 9 total, respectively. Fellow sophomore Hillary Malik chimed in with five kills of her own on eleven attempts. Sophomores Allie Botha, Vanessa Miller, and Rio Wexler, combined for 13 of the Raptors’ 40 total digs, and libero Alaryss Medina led the team in that category with 16, on par with her average for the season.

The Freshmen also put work in, with Mateshuk’s match-leading 11 kills, and fellow Freshman Jordan Palazzo checking in during the second set and getting three kills of her own, including a
nasty line shot around the Riverhawks’ defense. Caitlin Doherty had 4 total blocks, all of which in the third set to close the match out. Sophia Dasilva and Emma Salas each played two sets and combined for two kills, four digs, and an ace. With that excellent all-around performance, the Raptors conclude the regular season 20-4.

I’ve been present for a lot of matches this past year, but having the ability to watch everything unfold courtside as well as materialize my thoughts into the broadcast was great, and I hope I can do more commentary in the future. Thank you again to the Raptors and MCTV