Volleyball standouts from Calhoun qualify for nationals

Posted

After training with Academy Volleyball Club for the past year, Calhoun High School freshmen Ella Maldonado and Julia Lawrence qualified for the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships.

Scheduled to be held over a 10-day span (June 25-July 4) in Dallas, Texas, the championships were canceled on May 21 due to Covid-19 and social distancing guidelines. The Academy 15 Red Team, coached by Billy Quinn, was ranked second in the New York-New Jersey region.

In addition to indoor nationals, North Merrick residents Maldonado and Lawrence are looking forward to qualifying for the Association of Volleyball Professionals Summer Beach Junior Nationals in Atlantic City if the event takes place as scheduled (July 27-Aug. 2). It would be their third year participating.

Both girls have been training in isolation since the shutdown began in mid-March. Maldonado is a setter/libero and has already played two years on Calhoun’s varsity team. Lawrence, an outside hitter, has one year of varsity experience.  

- Compiled by Tony Bellissimo