For decades women have been undermined in the world of sports, constantly having to put up with the comparison between their abilities and men’s. Now, in the year 2024, women are finally starting to get mainstream coverage and recognition for their hard work and pure talent. Both of these qualities are well represented in Yorktown’s very own softball Varsity team.
Coach Giuliano, the Varsity softball coach at YHS, says “Coaching helps keep me involved in the game and it’s awesome being able to help others learn and grow while playing the game!” Coach Giuliano grew up playing softball and has always had a passion for it and since she can no longer play, coaching is a way she stays involved in the sport that she loves. She describes the growth of her players throughout the season to be her favorite part of her job, “Seeing their hard work pay off, nothing beats that!”
However, success cannot be met without failure or defeat, which Coach Giuliano describes as the worst thing to see her players go through during the season. To avoid said failure, the team makes sure to discuss the team they are going to play and their game plan. They also make sure to team bond by going on team dinners weekly. The dynamic of the team is described by Coach Giuliano as being “very fun and loose.” The team is packed with stellar personalities that “bring out the best in the girls.”
These fun and bright personalities are brought out by player Sienna Katzenberg. As I interviewed her, I immediately saw how bright and excited she was about being interviewed for her team. She described how she loves the sport as being “team-based” and how much she loves that she and others can “Help our team in so many different ways.” The softball girls help each other both in-game and outside of practice. In-game, they all make sure to “high five and celebrate one another” if someone makes a good play or smart decision. As I asked about her experience on the team she said, “Being on the team is super fun!” and that she loves the team bonding activities such as going out together for dinner or most recently making a team “candy salad.” Overall she said that she only had positive feelings for her sport and that both she and her team are “excited and ready to play!”
Another player, Alicia Cinicolo, also loves being a part of the YHS softball team. She, like Sienna, has an intense love for her sport. This love is met with bumps in the road that she described as “difficult.” However, in the end, her adoration for her sport is always supported by her great triumphs throughout the season.
Despite challenges along the road, this team of strong young females continues to prove themselves throughout the spring season.
