With having 9 girls on the team, the Hale Varsity Volleyball Squad has endured a rough season.  There are 5 returning seniors on the team.  Four juniors moved up to take the place of the past players and have stepped up well.  Seniors include Laura Barclay, Kara Hunt, Brandi Jaremba, Karys McKulsky, and Stephanie Windsor.  The Juniors are Jessica Beasinger, Erin Grove, Andrea Herzog, and Shannon Self.  Pictures and more about each individual player can be found on the 'Seniors' and 'Juniors' pages.

Back Row Left to Right: Stephanie Windsor, Karys McKulsky, Laura Barclay, Kara Hunt and Coach Kristi Benedict.  Front Row Left to Right: Jessica Beasinger, Andrea Herzog, Shannon Self, and Erin Grove.  (Not pictured is Brandi Jaremba.)

The season has been up and down all along as you can see by checking out the Team's Stats page. Tournament play has not went their way, but was a learning experience for all.  The ladies started practice in mid-November and season lasts through the month of February, with sometimes close to 3 hour practices a night.  At other times, the girls wake-up extra early to practice before school.  They eat, drink and sleep volleyball six days a week.

Kristi Benedict is the Head Coach of the Hale Area School's Volleyball Program.  She also lives in Hale and is employed through the Northeastern Board of  Realtors.  Kristi is married, and has two young children.  Chuck is her husband.  Danielle, 10, and Dustin, 8, (her kids) also double as the team's Court Crew.