NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - Last year, the Tigers ended a 30-year drought and brought the section title home to North Salem.
Despite losing half of the championship squad to graduation, Coach Toni Fiore is already seeing plenty of reasons for optimism.
“Even with graduating half of the team last season, we are already seeing a strong team dynamic and culture developing,” Fiore said. “Our returners are exhibiting strong leadership and creating a welcoming environment for the newcomers.”
The Tigers will be led by captains Sadie Matt, Ally Maza and Sophia Miller, all key returners from last year. Camila Lesmes also returns and is expected to take on an expanded role.
Matt and Miller will continue in familiar spots, with Matt returning as the starting setter and Miller as the libero. The two have led the Tigers in assists and digs, respectively, over the past two seasons.
Maza, meanwhile, is making a significant positional move.
“Ally has moved from the middle to become our 6 rotation outside hitter,” Fiore explained.
Lesmes will also see more time on the court, taking over at rightside hitter.
Two newcomers could play important roles immediately. Bella Jones is expected to take over the second outside hitter position, while Matilda Kornbluth will look to fill one of the middle hitter spots.
With the roster changes come new challenges, but the Tigers are embracing them. The players selected three words to define their team culture this season: “family,” “resilience” and “accountable.”
Those characteristics could be particularly important as North Salem attempts to build on a remarkable 2025 campaign. The Tigers went undefeated in league play and captured the Class C section championship in a thrilling win over rival Tuckahoe at the Westchester County Center.
There will naturally be expectations attached to that success.
“There will definitely be some pressure coming off of such a successful last season,” Fiore acknowledged.
But rather than shy away from those expectations, the Tigers intend to use them as motivation.
“That pressure will push us to better ourselves each time we step into the gym and give us something to strive for,” Fiore said.
For Fiore, the formula for another successful season is relatively simple: continue building the chemistry that has already emerged, work hard and, perhaps most importantly, enjoy the game.
“If the girls play together, continue to work as hard as they did in preseason, and embrace the fun of the sport, I believe we can make it back to the County Center again,” she said.
The Tigers are set to kick off their season at home against Pleasantville on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 5 p.m.
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