20 - Sports The Patriot - W.T.H.S. December, 2008 Volleyball ‘Maids wrap historic year Miranda Steinman ‘09 The Patriot Issue 2 Washington Township High School, Sewell, NJ December, 2008 makes states The Minutemaids Field Hockey team put up a fight, Carolyn Cicalese ‘10 especially against their number one opponent, Eastern High School. The WTHS Varsity Girls Volleyball team ended Washington Township decided to Crowning achievement their regular season on a positive note with a win shake things up. over Oakcrest Oct. 29. The team moved into the “The most memorable game Lettieri selected Homecoming Queen state tournament with a 12-8 record and the home now that the season has ended was Miranda Steinman ‘09 Lettieri, “I couldn’t believe I got the court advantage. the Eastern victory on Sept. 19,” red roses, it was unreal,” said Jess. Township, seeded sixteenth, played seven- said Coach Jeanine O’Connor. On Friday, Oct. 24, senior A circle formed around her as teenth seed, Colts Neck, at home on Nov. 3. The “No matter what, this 2008 Jessica Lettieri’s dreams came true. the other nominees and their escorts team played hard and easily won the first game, but team will always be the team that She was crowned homecoming queen congratulated her. fell in the second game. Their win in the third game beat Eastern after 10 years. We were Gina Parker ’09/ The Patriot during halftime of WTHS’s The crowd was ecstatic when moved them on to the next round Oct. 7 against the first South Jersey team to defeat The Minutemaids finished their season 19-3. homecoming game. Mr. Bollendorf announced the first seeded Southern Regional, who had not lost a Eastern in 189 games. It was historic and a great DiCastelnuovo, and Marisa Schoepflin had The journey to the throne began winner. Some people even began to game all season. team accomplishment.” much to do with the success of their team. when 12 nominees were chosen for cry. Many have said that Lettieri’s Blockers like Amber Riley ’09 were able to The Minutemaids broke this winning Fellow seionrs, Katie Griffis, Frankie Contino, the homecoming court. personality and lightheartedness was put up a good fight in stopping some of the hits, streak, and went up against them again in the and Brooke Cima were said to have been natural 11/12 Executive Assistant perfect for the role of homecoming but still Township lost the match in two games. playoffs. Eastern won 4-2, but it was still a leaders and supported their teammates. Principal Mr. Bollendorf announced queen. Her friends praised her good Even Township’s best hitter, Megan Todd ‘09, was close game. The two teams are now similar in “This group [of seniors]leaves us as the nominees in school, and formally nature and loyalty. only able to thrown down a few “kills” or spikes, strengths and both are top competitors. impressive role models [who helped us become] introduced them with their escorts Alex Quin, ’09, one of Lettiere’s because Southern regional were a good passing team Ending the regular season 17-2 (19-3 Olympic Conference Co-Champions,” said at the Senior Kickoff dance. closest friends said, “She is someone and used their speed and skills to make digs any- overall). The Minutmaids realized how far hard O’Connor, “We will miss their leadership and The male population of the who will be there for you through where on the court. work could take them. the fine young women they have become.” senior class selected the dozen. The thick or thin. She’s my studly best Although Township only made it to the sec- “It was even greater due to the awesome “As we move on we continue our quest entire class of 2009 were involved in friend who is a tank and has a new ond round of the state tournament the team viewed team chemistry that contributed to our great for ‘Everyday Greatness’ where our TEAM voting for the queen. found love for cheesy double beef it as a positive thing. season,” says O’Connor. was always more important than the The night began with plenty of Gina Parker ‘09/The Patriot burritos.” Senior Chrissie Duffield ‘09 said, “I think we Senior captains Jordan Cotter, Sam individual’,” she said. were all so close this year and it showed on the activities. The nominees and their Jessica Lettieri after being crowned homecoming queen takes a Lettieri is involved in many court. We had so much fun on and off the court escorts got the crowd excited in the celebratory ride around the stadium with Nick Krauss. school activities. She participates in which really helped to get us to the second round of Spirit Parade when they performed winter and spring track, book club, states. We haven’t done that in years, so that in X-Country places 10th in state an upbeat dance choreographed by all be so happy for who ever it was but one red for the queen. Deca, and dance. itself is an accomplishment.” Weston Eldridge ‘10 country in college and study forensic science.” Regina Vasallo ’09. that won,” said Lettieri. “I was so nervous!” said Lettieri is humble about her Additionally, the team was able to win games The team practiced every day after After the performance, the girls They changed into their gowns Lettieri, “I felt like I was going to success. against long time rivals Eastern and Cherokee which On Nov. 15, the Boys Varsity Cross school, even in the cold or rainy weather. They were emotional as they changed for and lined up to be introduced to the pass out! I was really excited but “It’s such an honor and the had not been done for years. Country team, lead by Xavier Fraction ’09 and would wear gloves, hats, whatever it took in the main event. enormous crowd in the stadium. kind of sad because the experience whole experience was so The team has five graduating seniors this year. Anthony Dentino ’11, placed tenth in the State order to get a good workout in. “We were all so excited but Students and parents crowded to the was so awesome and it was going to awesome. The memories I made with Captains Todd and Duffield, along with Riley, Championship. “After a while we got used to running in nervous at the same time. Everyone fence to get the best look at the girls. be over.” the other girls and throughout Kimmy Cherico, and Sam King D’Ambra were able Coach Bill Albertson viewed the team’s 5- the cold weather,” said Chris Bucci ’10. was saying ‘good luck’ and that we’d Each nominee was escorted down the Lettieri slowly unwound the the whole experience was amazing. I to lead the team to their numerous victories. 2 season as a success, reeling off second place Outside of school, the team would take it track as the girls’ activities and ribbon and cracked the lid to her long love sharing that special bond with The team also had three girls who were se- finishes in the Gloucester County Open, South upon themselves to run on their own in order achievements were described. They white box. When she found beautiful them. I love my homecoming girls! lected to be on the All-Conference Teams. Making Jersey Open, and Olympic Conference. to stay in shape. Since cross country is all about Why so late? were then lined up given a box red roses inside, tears instantly And most importantly thank you to first-team were Todd and Stephanie Semple ‘10. Albertson categorizes the South Jersey endurance, there wer no days off in their eyes. containing a rose. There was one began to pour down her face. all the people who voted for me! I’ll Kaileen Bevenour ‘11, the varsity setter, was se- Open as one of their toughest defeats, losing by Albertson felt that their success dedication Due to production delays, white rose in each of the 11 boxes, “I cried. I was so happy..” said remember it forever,” Jess said. lected to second-team. one point to Cherry Hill East. However, the and work ethic was in direct correlation to their we were unable to re- Next season looks just as promising. Though team stayed optimistic and went on to finish in dedication and work ethic success of the season. lease the December issue Homecoming provides chance it is losing five vital members, the team has many the top five in their section, qualifying them for The captain position was awarded to Greg before winter break. Krause ’09, a four-year member of the team. young players who have been practicing with the the State Championship. Instead of cancelling it, varsity and preparing themselves for next year. “Throughout the season, our top three The team collectively agreed that their to create, recall memories Duffied says, “I think the girls will have a good runners ran together,” Albertson said. most memorable moment was when they we decided to give the Weston Eldridge ‘10 Hope, a foundation raising money for Epilepsy season next year, I mean this year our starting set- “We would have had even more success if the finished second in Olympic Conference, having subjects and writers awareness. As the food dwindled down, the Spirit Parade ter was only a sophomore so [the team] will prob- gap between our top seven was closer.” their top three runners finish under 17 minutes. credit, and share this Excitement filled the chill air on the night of Oct. was quick to maintain the high level of excitement.