Saying goodbye is always tough to do. The Huntington High School girls’ volleyball team feted Marina Durand, Gracia Renkewitz and Sophia Severine on the Blue Devils’ Senior Day
The three sensational teenagers had their careers celebrated by their coaches and teammates last week during Senior Day ceremonies in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.
All three players are sad to be concluding their Blue Devil volleyball careers, but they are also all excited about heading off to college and beginning the next stage of their lives.
The seniors will certainly be missed by their teammates, who created posters for each of the seniors to commemorate their careers with the program.
Durand intends to study business at Clemson University in South Carolina.
“Playing in the Huntington volleyball program for the past six years has been an amazing experience that I will take with me forever,” Durand said. “I will miss my amazing teammates and coaches the most. They have become like family to me. I’m extremely sad for it to be over.”
Severine plans to study law at either West Virginia University or Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida.
“Being in the Huntington girls’ volleyball program for the past six years has been amazing for me,” Severine said. “I’ve had so many mentors to look up to throughout the years and I hope the younger girls can learn from me as well. I’ve loved every moment with these girls on and off the court and I’m so upset and that it’s officially over.”
Renkewitz intends to study at Nassau Community College for two years and then transfer to a New York City college to complete her undergraduate degree. The teenager isn’t sure of an academic major just yet, but she is currently interested in psychology and chemistry.
“Being in the Huntington volleyball program since seventh grade has really made being involved in it more than just a sport,” Renkewitz said. “In my position I have been able to really get to know the girls on the team, which has been my favorite aspect of it. It makes the game all the better when you feel comfortable with who is playing alongside you. This year was odd as I’m sure everyone who has played a sport this year feels the same and in a way it didn’t feel like the real authentic season, but I’m glad to have gotten the chance to play volleyball on the team at all.”
All three seniors will miss the sport next fall, but the group knows it will also be part of the Blue Devil volleyball family and will always be welcome in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.