BHS Volleyball Team Has Little Varsity Experience

The Berlin Redcoats volleyball team went 8-11 to sneak into the state tournament but was beaten in the first round by North Haven.

Gone from that team is a serious dose of experience and talent. Lia D'Amato, Brittany Labbadia, Rachael Zelek, Jessica Naples, Kelly Walsh, Mackenzie Freeland and Meghan Long all graduated, leaving Berlin with few players with varsity experience.   

Junior setter Alicia Maule is back to lead Berlin as she has been playing varsity since her freshman year. Also back with limited varsity experience are: senior Gabrielle St. Jarre is at outside hitter/middle blocker, senior outside hitter Kailene Rampone, senior defense/libero Kristina Hagmeier, senior outside hitter Dominika Wejda. Berlin coach Bob Tarigo, in his 31st year as volleyball coach with a record of 408 wins and 173 losses, welcomes senior outside hitter Giorgia Rossetto, a transfer from Italy.

“Except for Alicia Maule the other players are coming in with limited varsity time,” Tarigo said. “We have some power at net, probably more than last year, especially with the addition of Giorgia. We also have good speed on defense. But we lack of varsity playing time together. Hopefully we develop very fast team unity.”

Tarigo hopes to finish in the top four spots in the CC South. He says Bristol Eastern is the top team.

Right now the Redcoats will use game captains.