Owego Volleyball brings home section title 

Another Owego team soars to victory! The Owego Girls Volleyball team brought home the Section IV, Class A Volleyball title.

And it was a sweet victory, as the River Hawks prevailed and earned this year’s win after battling another intense match with last year’s title champions, Maine-Endwell.

Coach Abbey Manning shared, “This is a special team that I get to coach this year. They continue to work hard in practice because they want to be there to compete at the highest level they can.”

Coach Manning commented that the team had been talking about their goals since the loss last year to Maine-Endwell.

The extra level of motivation was evident prior to the start of the regular season. 

In August, and at the time of two fundraisers that the team hosted, a blood drive and car wash, Coach Manning said then that the team had been preparing for the upcoming season by participating in open gyms during the summer, and sometimes arriving as early as 7 a.m. daily.

Coach Manning shared in August, “The girls have been coming in with a new mental mindset of getting back that sectional title,” and noted, “We want to bring the fire truck parade back to Owego.”

And, that they did! Lights and sirens escorted them home after their Nov. 5 title win, and provided by local law enforcement and first reponders.

Next up is a regional game scheduled on Nov. 11.

Coach Manning remarked after the Nov. 5 victory, “We will continue to work on our strengths and build upon our weaknesses, so they can feel ready for the Regional match.”

Manning, a 2015 OFA graduate who played four years on Varsity Volleyball starting in 2011, understands the pressure and challenges.

As of this writing, Owego was gearing up to face either Section I champion, Byram Hills, or Section IX champs, Wallkill at the regional match, set for 2 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Chenango Valley High School. Regional winners then advance to the semifinals on Nov. 18.  

Manning was looking forward to the Regional match, and said, “This team can absolutely do it; they have to continue to battle and fight for every point!”