While volleyball and football will not be played during the fall, there are hopes of a spring season for both. The two teams will each have “play time” in the fall. Having said that and knowing there is also the possibility the athletes may not play, the Gorham Times would like to honor the seniors of both sports.
Volleyball, Coach Emma Tirrell
Even though volleyball will not happen this fall, Athletic Director Tim Spear said GHS has purchased two outdoor volleyball net systems that will be used on grass. There are more than 60 girls practicing Monday through Thursday working on skills and team play, with no games scheduled against other schools.
Sia Hydson is a middle/outside hitter playing all four years of high school. “My favorite memories are those of when I got to bond with all of my teammates on the bus rides home from games when we would all sing our cheer for when we won,” she shared. “I am hoping that there will be a competitive spring season so we can have a great final high school season!” she added. Hydson’s plan is to play volleyball wherever she attends college.
Kelly Curran is a middle/outside hitter and has been playing for six years. “My favorite memory is getting ready together in our locker room before quarter finals last year. I’m really hoping for a spring volleyball season for my senior year,” she said. Curran is interested in being an athletic trainer and going to Endicott College in Massachusetts.
Maddy Berry is a right side hitter and has been playing volleyball for her four years of high school. “One of my favorite memories was an away game my junior year when all of us were singing our hearts out on the back of the bus after a crazy win. I had that feeling that we all felt like a team in that moment, and that we were one big family singing together in unison. Looking back on it always makes me so happy and one of the many memories I have on repeat,” she shared.
Berry said she never imagined going into her senior year things being so different. She said, “As humans we learn to adapt, and even though I dread change, it’s something we all have to deal with. Not having what most would say a ‘normal’ school year, has forced our minds to look for new opportunities and face new challenges.” Like her teammates, she hopes there will be a spring season. She added, “I am one who believes everything happens for a reason, so even if I don’t get a season, I am so thankful to everyone I got to meet and play along with.”
Berry hopes to play volleyball in college.
Sylar Prince is in her fifth year playing volleyball as a middle hitter. “Some of my favorite memories of the season are singing our hearts out on the bus to away games, and drinking our pre-game slushies. I want to make the most of our upcoming season by playing hard and having fun with my teammates,” she said.
Prince plans to study Biology and play volleyball in college.
Shannon Lawrence is a defensive specialist/Libero. (The libero wears a different color from the rest of the team and is not allowed to serve or rotate to the front line.) She is in her sixth year playing the sport. One of her favorite memories was winning the fourth set of last year’s semi-final game against Scarborough. Lawrence said, “Even though we may not have won the game overall, the energy and spirit our team and fans created in the gym that night was unmatchable. The gym was filled with so much enthusiasm and excitement for the sport we all loved. It will forever remind me what it was like to be a part of the Gorham Volleyball family. Volleyball will always hold a special place in my heart and I plan on continuing to find ways to play in years to come.”
Football, Coach Andy Hager
Like volleyball, football is not participating this fall. They are, however, practicing daily. Coach Hager said 7×7 isn’t the season the boys hoped for, but he is proud of his team for their great attitudes and showing up to work every day. Hager stated, “The senior leadership of Beck and Nick has made it even easier to get out there in these different circumstances. They have great attitudes and really work hard to make the time we have together enjoyable as coaches and players.” 7×7 football hovers around the 30 to 40 players most days.
Nick Williams has played football for seven years with a few years off in between due to injuries. For the majority of those years he played quarterback and safety. “I would say my favorite moments of playing were after wins in the locker room. Everyone was hyped up and ready to go play again if we could.” Williams does not want the lack of a football season (as of now) to affect him. He hopes to do well in school and his other sports. His future plans and goals after high school are to attend college and play baseball. Williams said, “Some advice I’d give to underclassmen of any sport would be that there’s always someone working harder to get better, so try to be that person who’s out working everyone else.”
Beck Carrier is in his ninth year playing football and he is a running back and linebacker. “My favorite memory so far was going back to Westbrook last year on the same field I broke my leg just a year before and dominating them”, he shared. As one of the captains, Carrier said he hopes to gain more qualities that come with being a leader, as well as to continue to pave the way for the underclassmen who follow when he graduates. Carrier added, “It’s too hard to give one piece of advice, but the two most valuable things the underclassmen should be doing is lifting in the offseason as much as possible and being a sponge, soaking up all the little things coaches tell them to become the best young men they can possibly be.”
Beck will be studying biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University next fall and hopes to also play football.