EGHS Unified Volleyball Team Celebrates Seniors - And Teamwork

The EGHS Unified Volleyball team lives by its name. In fact, they've made it their motto: "We are unified!" It's not just a slogan for these athletes. They are teammates in every sense of the word.

The Unified team program at EGHS started in spring 2009 with basketball. That season went so well that last year volleyball was added. The teams are comprised of students with disabilities - known as "athletes" - and those without disabilties - known as "partners."

Teams must have an equal number of athletes and partners on the court. Games are refereed just like regular volleyball games. Certain accommodations are made; in volleyball, for instance, some of the athletes are allowed to stand on the court itself to serve the ball.

When teams to hit the ball two or three times before it's sent back over the net, the crowd goes wild. And there's no doubt in Coach Patty Carosotto's mind that her athletes are getting better.

"Pat wasn't hitting the ball over at all last year," she said, referring to Patrick Quinn, a junior athlete. "This year, he's doing it several times a game."

Before Friday's game against Pilgrim, there was a ceremony celebrating all the seniors on both teams, followed by a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Carosotto's young son, Matt, joined the four singers and pretty soon everyone was singing.

"Now, that's unified," exclaimed Athletic Director Chris Cobain at the end. Indeed it was.