Heading into Saturday’s match against Yorktown, Cornwall High School senior Tricia Hartnett was confident the varsity volleyball team would beat its opponent and move on to the state tournament for the third time in her volleyball career. The victory also marked the fifth time in the last six years Cornwall would be represented in the state semifinals.
As predicted, Yorktown’s fans were loud, but Hartnett said Cornwall would be prepared.
“That’s something that gets into our heads, so we can’t let that get to us. We need to come out strong and just do our thing.”
Players and coaches reviewed videos of their opponent, focusing on their bigger players. The key to victory would be to work around Yorktown’s big blocks.
“Mainly we have to come out talking,” Hartnett said two days before the match. “That’s our strength. Our team is so close. We all get along really well. The chemistry on our team is the best we’ve ever had. I think that’s why we do so well together.”
Even before Saturday’s victory, Hartnett said she liked the team’s chances in making it back to the state’s final four. Unlike in previous years where the team has fallen short of a finals appearance, Hartnett said it will be important for her teammates to overcome their nerves.
“In the past couple of years we’ve seen the big teams we’re going up against. We come out slow and we’re not talking because we’re nervous. If we’ve gotten there for so many years, we can do it. We just need to push harder and get over our fears of being defeated.”
Should the Lady Dragons fall short again, Hartnett said she won’t be disappointed.
“I think just getting there is a huge accomplishment.”
Hartnett grew up playing soccer, basketball, and softball, but when she was introduced to volleyball, and fell in love with the sport, she gave up playing the others. She joined the modified team in seventh grade and moved up to JV the following year. Toward the end of the season, during her freshman year, Hartnett was called up to the varsity to begin practicing with the team. She didn’t get to play, but watched as her new team made it to states.
She saw playing time her sophomore year and helped guide her team to another state appearance. Her junior year, Cornwall lost in the quarterfinals.
“From getting to experience it [states] and then not making it there again, it was a letdown, but I think it made us work harder this year to try and strive to get further, which we have.”
Although the volleyball season is traditionally from September to November, Hartnett doesn’t stop there. She and her teammates compete in the Cornwall Volleyball Club from December to March.
“That’s a huge reason why our varsity program is so well developed, because we’re playing all year together.”
Even when the school year is over, Hartnett still isn’t done with volleyball. She and her teammates volunteer in the summer program teaching young girls how to play the game. They teach the girls the basics of the game and make sure they’re having fun.
Aside from volleyball, Hartnett is a member of the Yearbook Club, and has been a Safe School Ambassador since her freshman year. She was invited the first year the program started and has helped train over 100 students in the last four years.
No matter if her season ends in victory or defeat, Hartnett said she’ll likely be done with volleyball after high school.
“I might do a club team, but I think I’m done. I’ve been giving it my all since eighth grade. I just want to focus on school now. I think it will be a lot juggling volleyball and college at the same time.”
The decision hasn’t been an easy one, but Hartnett said she’s “extremely satisfied” with her volleyball career. She’s been looking at SUNY schools, such as Oswego, Cortland, Albany, and Plattsburg, and plans on majoring in criminology or psychology.
