A majority of student athletes have faced adversities in the past year and a half. Students are now facing a new sense of normalcy and commencing back on the playing fields once again, including the Drew women’s volleyball team. The newly assembled team is working to set a standard for years to come.
The volleyball team has been in the works for a few years and this fall sports season marks the first time a volleyball team has graced the Drew athletics roster. As an NCAA Division III school, Drew has no shortage of student athletes and campus sports teams, but the addition of a volleyball team has already proven to be an exciting and meaningful contribution to campus. Volleyball games have become a place for students to gather and socialize while rooting for their peers. With each home game having a theme for the student section to participate in, the games have quickly become a part of campus culture.
The team’s winning record is also noteworthy. The women’s volleyball team currently stands at 12-2, a groundbreaking achievement for its inaugural season. Head coach Alyssa Broccoli and assistant coach Allison Regan have led the women’s team to an impressive start. Also important to mention is that much of the team is led by freshman players recruited by the school, which has helped integrate the class of 2025 into the campus community.
Melina Christodoulou (‘24) was nationally ranked number nine in hitting percentage and Andrea Camacho-Tenreiro (‘25) was nationally ranked number eight in points per set, number twenty-three in kills per set and tied for number thirty-four in aces per set and total kills. This speaks not only to the skill of the individual players, but the skill of the team as a whole.
Coming into this season, all sports teams are facing a period of adjustment after months without playing. The women’s volleyball team has faced the pressure of a pandemic in the midst of their first season, a true testament to the capability and dedication of both the players and their coaches. Despite the numerous obstacles, the team has maintained their record and set an example for future seasons. One thing’s for sure— they have proven themselves to be one tough act to follow.
The men’s volleyball team will begin their inaugural season in the spring of 2022, with Alyssa Broccoli continuing to serve as the director.
