Colonia’s Varsity volleyball team has had an intense season this year. After losing nine seniors from last year, the Lady Patriots struggled more than they have in the past. During the 2010-2012 season, Colonia won the GMC (Greater Middle Conference) and in the 2011-2012 season Colonia won the division.

In the very first game of the season, Colonia lost against Cranford– the first game ended 29-27 and the second at 25-18. Their last game of the season (before the GMCs) resulted in an unexpected loss to West Windsor South (25-20 in the first match and 25-7 in the second). After Colonia played in the GMC, their record was 14-8.

Though they had a rough season, the team played their hardest and fought together as a team. Their first game of the GMC against Edison ended with Edison winning two sets to one. Though Colonia lost, they had many highlights. The second set was won when Rachel Triebwasser, Colonia’s middle tipped the ball over the net and over Edison’s middle when she went up to block. Nathalie Briening made an amazing save when the ball went far off of the court and Triebwasser was able to hit it over to Edison, who were unable to get the ball back over and Colonia ended up attaining the point. Sarah Rustemeyer had 8 kills during this game, including one when she hit it into the deep left corner of Edison’s side, making the team think it was going out-of-bounds. Instead it hit the line and was declared “in.”

Colonia’s team has worked very hard this season and has fought through to beat some amazing teams. “I think that they had a successful season considering they only had one returning starter for varsity and [it was] such a young, inexperienced team. I expect that they will work extremely hard during the offseason and return better than ever,” said Colonia’s assistant coach, Jen Blash.

“This season we learned to play hard and work as a team to succeed,” said Varsity player, Sara Post. This season, Post has had 58 aces, 155 service points, and 55 digs.

This year Colonia is losing two seniors, outside hitter Taylor Zimmerman and setter Nathalie Briening. Colonia’s team recently had their Senior Day, which is when they beat West Windsor North. “Senior year volleyball was fun and unforgettable because of the great memories and good times,” said Zimmerman. Zimmerman has attained 89 service points and 80 kills this season.

“The girls have become like a family to me, we’ve stuck together through thick and thin this season. I’ll always remember the amazing times we had on and off the court,” said Briening. Briening has had 305 assists. This means she has assisted on a point, mostly by setting the ball to the hitters. Her record also includes 94 service points and 38 digs. She has had an amazing senior year as a player.

These girls worked together, fought and had a good season overall. It is expected that they will be back next season and be even better. Colonia’s past teams have been extremely successful, so this group will most likely end up being one of the best teams out there. They continued to fight — that’s what made this team so unique. It was their courage to keep going even after some bad games that made them stick together as a team.