In the fall of every high school student’s senior year, they begin the end of one chapter of their life while simultaneously preparing for the next.
No matter the student’s postgraduate plans, the start of a senior year can bring some uneasiness. For the 10 seniors on the Belmont High School girls volleyball team, their sport offers a reprieve from the cloud of “what’s next?” hanging over their collective heads.
“It’s something to take our mind off the stress and just have a good time,” middle blocker Sadie Boas said. “Being with everybody is such a great experience, and getting the chance to do something that you might not necessarily have the time to be around is really amazing. It’s a time you have to dedicate to something that you really love.”
While it’s the end of an era for the seniors, the program is in new hands. Jen Couture, Belmont’s coach since 2011, stepped down. Enter Raylynn Kaulia. A first-year middle and high school physical education teacher in the district, Kaulia previously taught and coached the girls and boys volleyball teams at her alma mater, Springfield Central High School.
A Cambridge resident, Kaulia commuted to Springfield daily for the past two years to see her senior volleyball classes through. Teaching in Belmont Public Schools significantly reduces her travel time, and filling the vacant volleyball position worked well.
“It’s nice to be a coach in the building that you work in,” Kaulia said. “For the most part, [the team] is all experienced. We didn’t really have to fill too many gaps.”
Last year’s Marauders went 12-8, upsetting No. 8 seed Bishop Feehan as the No. 25 seed in the Division I tournament, before falling in the Round of 16. Middle blockers Boas, a senior, junior LeeLee Kozelian, sophomore Katerina Polina, and senior setter Sophia Qin lead the returning group.
Outside hitter Wuyee Ke, a Middlesex League All-Star a season ago, did not return to the team for her senior year due to a conflict with a lab internship. Two seniors from last year’s team graduated.
Qin said the team might lack height, but they make up for it with defense and versatility.
“I think the team is really coming together,” she said.
Inheriting a traditionally successful program with numerous upperclassmen, Kaulia is slowly implementing her style and system at the sub-varsity levels. New this year is a daily pre-practice run. Some positions might change, but a lot remains the same.
“They’re experienced players, so I’m not trying to change too much,” Kaulia said. “Coach Couture left great habits and fundamentals with them.”
For example, when Kaulia arrived 30 minutes early to a recent practice, she was the last one in the gym. “They’re eager,” she said.
Qin called the coaching transition “seamless,” blending traditional strategies with fresh energy. The new daily extra conditioning lends itself to longer rallies for a defensive-minded team.
Matches to watch this fall come against reigning Division 3 state champion Wayland (away Sept. 8, home Oct. 17), Winchester (home Sept. 29, away Oct. 24), and Lexington (home Sept. 25, away Oct. 22).
A postseason run remains the goal.
“I think we’re going to have a pretty strong team this year,” Boas said. “I’m really hoping that we can potentially go further in [the state championships].”
