The Owego Free Academy varsity volleyball team pose near their Class B volleyball state championship banner following a ceremony held at the school on Dec. 21. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
The Owego Free Academy Class B volleyball state championship banner was unveiled at a special ceremony held at the school on Dec. 21.
Head coach of the OFA varsity volleyball team, Brittney Race, addresses the team and audience during a ceremony held on Dec. 21.
Championship plaques, trophies and flowers adorn a table prior to a ceremony held on Dec. 21 at OFA.
OFA Principal Heath Georgia addresses the volleyball team and audience during a ceremony held on Dec. 21.
At a special ceremony and pep rally held Dec. 21 at Owego Free Academy (OFA) located at 1 Sheldon Guile Blvd. in Owego, N.Y., a banner was unveiled commemorating the varsity volleyball team’s success in bringing home the Class B state championship.
This year, 2015, marks the second time OFA achieved the state championship in varsity volleyball, the first being in 2013. The championship marked a superb ending for the Owego Indians as they finished the season 19-0. In addition, four of the players have been part of both championship teams.
At the ceremony, the OFA gymnasium was filled with cheering students, parents, other family members and friends, school officials and Owego Mayor Kevin Millar, along with the team and coaches.
Seated on the court were team members Ruby Coleman, Savannah Terry, Michayla Jenkins, Kayla Snyder, Kim Lavender, Bella Coleman, Brinn Shaughnessy, Sarah Kies, Paige Taylor, Grace Thomas, McKenzie Hart, Makenna Kallin, Madison Delaney-Hammond and Summer Manville.
Also recognized at the ceremony was head coach Brittney Race and assistant coaches Breanna Horton, Pam Horton and Erica Darpino.
OFA Director of Athletics, Andy Buchsbaum, shared that volleyball is the only program that owns two banners on the wall in the gymnasium.
Buchsbaum said, “In the last three years, the coaches and teams have raised the bar, and the program has reached a new level of greatness.”
Buchsbaum added, “You understand the concept of being a team, the importance of work ethic, discipline, goals and a never-quit-mentality. The memory you’ve created will live on in the community for a very long time.”
Heath Georgia, OFA principal, shared, “You’ve created a legacy here. Your banner and plaque will be proudly displayed, and in twenty years when you come back, they will still be here.”
Dr. Bill Russell, Owego-Apalachin superintendent of schools, commented, “One of the things I like a lot is when you watch them play you are seeing the whole team making contributions, a sign of a well-coached team,” and he added, “I will never forget it. It was a great time to watch you play.”
A common theme among the speakers was how overwhelmingly enthusiastic the OFA cheering section was at all of the games. Even if there were twice as many fans for the opposing team, the Owego fans were always the loudest. Parents, family, friends, and students were thanked for supporting the team.
Coach Brittney Race, who has coached the varsity team for five years, shared, “To make it for the second time in three years is the most awesome thing. The girls are exceptional people and great athletes,” and she added, “What the girls have accomplished this season is special, and we are going to continue to work hard and represent what a state title means.”
Kim Lavender, OFA senior and varsity volleyball co-captain, will be attending Binghamton University after graduation. Thrilled to be part of the state champion team for a second time, she said, “This is exciting. We’re grateful for all the support.”
