Courtesy of Brian Beard

Women’s volleyball outside and right side hitter Liv Deane ’25 stormed onto the court last Sunday against New York University (NYU) (6–1), leading the team in kills and aces and contributing to the final 3–2 win.

Though the team lost against the Stevens Institute of Technology (5–1) 1–3 and won against Manhattanville College (3–5) 3–0 on Saturday, Deane noted that she never saw the hunger leave her teammates’ eyes during their game against NYU despite their hectic game schedule the day before.

“We came in full throttle, really focused on our side of the net. That was probably the most exciting volleyball game I’ve ever played. Especially in that fifth set, we were going point for point,” Deane said. “I never saw in anyone’s eyes that they thought that we were gonna lose—everyone was just in it. Everyone was just getting excited for each other, and I think different people really came through at important moments.”

Deane believes the team’s cohesiveness and sense of community stems from its support and investment in each other, especially when it comes to celebrating personal successes on the court. After spending last season out with an injury, Deane is also excited just to be back on the court with them.

“If you’ve seen any of the games I’ve played, I’m always smiling because I’m just so happy to be playing again and to be playing with my teammates, who I just love so much. I’ve been there for every step of their journey, and seeing them succeed has just been the greatest joy,” Deane said. “I have never run so many sprints in my life during preseason, but it’s gotten us to this point where we are not phased by anything, and we really celebrate each other’s wins like they’re our own.”

Deane has found a strong sense of community in volleyball since she first started playing in the fourth grade. Coming from Sunderland, Mass., a town with a profound volleyball legacy, including multiple state championships, Deane expressed that there was never a volleyball practice she did not feel excited for.

“I was so privileged and glad to grow up in a community that really invested in volleyball and also had a winning legacy,” Deane said. “I was able to be on a state championship team twice, and that was just really special.”

Deane’s personal approach to preparing for each game is reminiscent of her high school days, though she still enjoys the team’s customary pre-game dance parties.

“I was kind of reflecting back on my high school days, and I remember always being very calm on the court and always feeling just very comfortable. And that was the way I really liked to show up, and I really wanted to bring that again into my senior year,” Deane said.

The Polar Bears won against University of Southern Maine  (1–6) 3–0 on Wednesday, which Deane considers a true reflection of how deep the team’s strength goes.

“No matter who was on our side of the court, or the other side of the court, we stayed focused on the details of winning: staying disciplined on our defense, communicating clearly with teammates, taking confident swings on offense and using strategy to our advantage,” Deane wrote in an email to the Orient.

Deane’s goal for the rest of the season is to take the team’s energy to the NESCAC championships and win the title Deane won her first year on the team.

“I basically didn’t play a minute on the court, but I don’t remember that part of my [first] year at all because the team [culture] made everyone feel so valued.… We were winning all the time. It was just a great feeling,” Deane said.

The volleyball team will face off against Brandeis University (5–3) tomorrow and Springfield College (4–2) on Saturday.