Two middle schools within Community Consolidated School District 21 have spiked their way to the top, earning championship titles in this year’s Mid-Suburban Middle School Athletic Conference for girls volleyball.
Cooper Middle School’s eighth grade team cemented the conference title for the second year in a row with a win over MacArthur Middle School on March 6, while London Middle School’s seventh grade team brought the title back to the school for the first time since 2007.
“It feels great to be the regular season conference champions,” said Kevin O’Donnell, seventh grade social science teacher at Cooper and coach of the eighth grade team. “Before the season, we knew there was a lot of talent, but what impressed us most was how diligently the girls worked.”
He added that the eighth graders were ready to improve their skills at every practice, and responded well to coach feedback: “With that drive, we were able to install some more advanced offensive systems that allowed us to utilize players to the best of their ability.”
Kristie Zamet, sixth grade language arts teacher at London and co-coach of the seventh grade team with sixth grade math teacher Hailey Prefontaine, added that the conference title was a “symbol of dedication, perseverance, and pride for the players and the entire London community.”
“For the team, it represents the countless hours of practice, the ups and downs, and the bonds they built along the way,” Zamet added. “For the community, it’s a reminder of what can be achieved through hard work and teamwork. It’s been nearly two decades since London last held this title, and bringing it home again is something truly special for everyone involved.”
Both teams are set to be recognized during the April meeting of the Board of Education.
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