The seniors are finishing up their 2022 season of volleyball at Woodward Academy. To celebrate, they won 25-18 against Rockdale County High School. The girls are leading with a current record of 21-12. The volleyball team is concluding their season strong as they start their region tournament on October 15 against Jonesboro High School.
(left to right): Franky Panunzio ‘23, Colette Sinkfield ‘23, Jordan Price ‘23, Audrey Cordier ‘23, Caroline Sanders ‘23, Grace Beebe ‘23, and Kaz Andrews ‘23. The seniors smile as they celebrate their Senior Night win. Photo courtesy Malin Tangsujaritpunt.
Colette Sinkfield ‘23, a senior on the volleyball team, reflects on how their teamwork has paid off.
“It’s definitely been an adventure,” Sinkfield said. “We have a lot of new girls, but all of them have put in the effort so now we’re settling into a really good motion as a team.”
Sinkfield values the different connections she has made with her teammates.
“[I’m going to] really [miss] the bonds I create with my teammates,” Sinkfield said. “They’re all amazing in their own ways and connecting with them on all levels has been such a unique experience.”
She expresses gratitude toward the juniors and the underclassmen who surprised them with gifts.
“[My favorite moment was] when the non-seniors lined us up to surprise us with the locker room decorations,” Sinkfield said. “It was so surreal and emotions were all over the place. Nothing can compare to how that made everyone feel in that moment.”
Carmen Sinkfield ‘24 and Colette Sinkfield ‘23 stand next to their parents as they proudly celebrate their Senior Night win. Photo courtesy Malin Tangsujaritpunt.
Caroline Sanders ‘23, a senior on the volleyball team, feels bittersweet about her last volleyball season at Woodward.
“I am very sad about this being my last year because I have played Woodward Volleyball for 8 years and I am going to miss these girls,” Sanders said.
Sanders appreciates the fond memories that she made with the juniors and underclassmen who threw a surprise party for the seniors.
“My favorite volleyball memory was definitely the locker reveal where my old peer kid decorated my locker for Senior Night and I cried like a baby,” Sanders said.
Franky Panunzio ‘23, Colette Sinkfield ’23 and Caroline Sanders ‘23 smile as they hold the poster the juniors and the underclassmen made personally for them. Photo courtesy Malin Tangsujaritpunt.
Nour Youssef ‘24, a junior on the volleyball team, admires the connections she has made with her teammates.
“I feel really sad as I have made good friends with some of them, but I am also happy for them as I know they will go on to accomplish great things,” Youssef said.
Youssef reminisces on the seniors’ reactions to their teammates surprising them one last time this year before their bittersweet departure.
“The entire night was honestly amazing, but my two favorite memories are when the seniors walked into the locker room with all the decorations and gifts and when we did a slideshow and gave gifts to the seniors after the three games,” Youssef said.
Carmen Sinkfield ‘24, a junior on the volleyball team, cherishes the memories she has made with the seniors including her sister, Colette Sinkfield ‘23, and feels sentimental about this year being her last season with the seniors.
“I’m very sad about the seniors leaving, especially since my sister is on the team,” Carmen Sinkfield ‘24 said. “I’m going to miss the bonds I’ve made because I’ve never connected with a class more than 2023. We’ve made so many amazing memories together and we spend so much time together [that] it’ll be hard to say goodbye.”
The seniors huddle in a circle to get ready for their game. Photo courtesy Malin Tangsujaritpunt.