Girls Volleyball Team Honored for Record-Breaking Season

Players, coaches and parents of the Rocky Hill Girls' volleyball team took time Wednesday night to reflect and look back on the run and their season at a special dinner and celebration.

Captain Megan Ruonavaara explained to the audience that at the beginning of the season the team set a goal of winning a state championship. However, several players and Ruonavaara did not know if that was a realistic goal. Months later, their doubts were answered as they won the first state championship in girls’ volleyball in history.

Ruonavaara said that the whole team gelled this season and improved in everything from setting to serving to hitting to defense.

"It took everyone to believe in it," Ruonavaara said. "We got everyone to buy in."

She thanked volleyball coach George McKinnon and assistant coach Dorothy Franco Reed for always providing the team with a good "work and fun balance" and their passion for the game.

"Coach, I will never forget you," Ruonavaara said about McKinnon.

Coach McKinnon told his players that he has watched the championship game on television 15 times.

"I am proud of all my girls," he said. "It was a special, special season. It's been a pleasure to teach you."

Six years ago, McKinnon took over a "program that was in shambles." With help of Roberta Olson, he changed the mindset and worked the players hard. The players responded and went to six straight state tournaments.

In the tournament last year, he started to realize that his team might be ready for greatness. His players put in the extra work, played in summer and winter leagues and improved their defense to complete a magical quest for the Class M Title.

"We made a great run," McKinnon, who won a state championship twice as a high school player, said. "Coaching you guys is better than winning a state championship."

Dorothy Franco Reed, who is the mother of Kyley Reed, told players it was "a tough road" to the championship, but the struggle gave them the "tools and blessings" needed to succeed in volleyball and in life.

"You will take those skills with you the rest of your life," she said.

Reed, who started off by helping once a week and quickly became a fixture with the team, talked about her relationship with McKinnon.

"I could talk for two hours about how good coach is," she said. "I learned a lot from him. He went out on a limb for all of you (players)."

Athletic Director/Coordinator of Student Activities Thomas McCabe hosted the dinner and gave his thoughts on the girls' volleyball team's season.

"It was just a thing of beauty," he said. "You are going to remember this the rest of your lives."

McCabe said the championship would be a lasting memory for the players' parents as well.

"There is no prouder moment," he said.

Captain Kyley Reed took time to thank everyone from the coaches to teammates to Athletic Trainer Ed Kravitz to their number one fan Mr. Cogoli. She also thanked McCabe for "developing volleyball into a respected sport."

"Volleyball earned it, but we had your help," she said

The players, coaches and parents were treated to a buffet-style dinner. The players were also given plaques from Rocky Hill High School, jackets from the Rocky Hill Board of Education and pendants from an anonymous donor.

For complete coverage of the Rocky Hill girls' volleyball team's run to the championship, you can view all of the following stories on Rocky Hill Patch.

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