SPRINGFIELD — The unmistakable sounds of volleyball echoed outside American International College on Thursday night. Inside Henry A. Butova Gymnasium, the whistles and high-spirited celebrations reverberated from the 17th season of the Pioneer Valley Juniors High School Summer League.
This summer’s edition of the PV Juniors has 24 teams with 288 players from all over Western Mass. The league is split into the Premier Division and the On-the-Rise Division. The home of the Yellow Jackets housed six volleyball courts between two gyms. Teams play two sets to 25 against two opponents per night.
The Frontier (Hawks A) Pioneer Valley Juniors Girls High School Summer Volleyball League team celebrates against Agawam, Thursday in Springfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Frontier (Hawks B) huddles against the Island Acers, Thursday in Springfield Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Aryell Martin of Frontier (Hawks B) goes for a dig against the Island Acers, Thursday in Springfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Londyn Starr of Frontier (Hawks B) goes for a kill against the Island Acers, Thursday in Springfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Grace Baronas of Frontier goes for a kill against Agawam, Thursday in Springfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Grace Baronas and (left) and Anna Conklin of Frontier celebrare against Agawam, Thursday in Springfield. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
Frontier Regional had two teams in action, with the Premier team (Hawks A) taking on Agawam to open its night. The Hawks split with the Brownies, 23-25 and 25-21. Greta Hale, Morgan Mason and Cadence Martin split the coaching duties for the Hawks. The trio graduated from Frontier this past spring.
Martin used the league to focus on staying positive during her time with the Redhawks.
“It taught me a lot on how to be an individual player,” Martin said. “It taught me on how to focus on myself and not the bring the team down with my attitude. That’s what happens a lot with these players.”
After the match with the Brownies, the Hawks moved over to a different court to play Minnechaug. Frontier had its way with the Falcons in the first set, 25-23. But the Falcons bounced back with a 25-16 win in the second set.
“In the last set we had a change,” Martin said. “You could see it affected the whole team. As a young player you have to realize that you can only control yourself. That’s what I realized during summer league and that made me a better player.”
Grace Baronas is going to be a freshman next season for the Redhawks. Baronas participated in the winter league and started her volleyball career two years ago. Baronas displayed some good hitting skills and had an ace against Minnechaug.
“I think it really prepares everybody,” Baronas said. “It brings the team together for new players. It introduces others to the team. It gets everybody excited for the season.”
Aimee Talbot and Anna Conklin both played well at the net for Frontier.
The On-the-Rise Division the Frontier representative (Hawks B) split with the Island Acers. Frontier lost the first set 25-17 but came back with a 25-19 win in the second set. Frontier pulled away with a set of strong serves from Aryell Martin. For Martin, working on the chemistry in the most important part of summer league.
“It’s girls you are going to be playing with in the upcoming season,” Martin said. “You can really build bonds before the season starts. You can help improve your teammates. It gets you ready to not be rusty when the season starts.”
Martin was all over the court for the Hawks, providing defense and offense. Londyn Starr had multiple kills for Frontier.
“I think I am doing pretty good with my improvement,” Martin said.
The Hawks closed out their night with another split, this time with the Dirty Birds (25-17, 14-25). Maddie Haight of Turners Falls also plays in the PV Juniors, with the undefeated Magical Unicorns squad.
The playoffs begin on August 13.
