Sports

Athlete of the Week: Savite Leads Ladies to Title

Freshman volleyball star takes home tournament honors.

As the West Morris Central Lady Highlanders volleyball team captured its third consecutive Morris County Title, the cohesive unit, with depth at every position, worked hand in hand to prove its dominance.

But it was a freshman, 14-year-old Gabriella "Gabby" Savite, that helped lead the charge in each game of the tournament, garnering Most Valuable Player honors on the biggest stage of her young career.

Central’s volleyball team has played in the tournament final every year since the competition began 12 seasons ago, grabbing 10 titles. Savite hoisted her first trophy on Saturday, Oct. 22, and hopes to do it three more times.

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Long Valley Patch’s Athlete of the Week is No. 30, freshman and Morris County Tournament MVP Gabriella Savite.

LVP: What did it mean to win the MCT title?
GS: I was ecstatic to be part of the win and do what I could to contribute to the team’s overall success, and continue the traditions of West Morris Central Volleyball.

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LVP: What are your hopes for the rest of the season individually and as a team?
GS:
As a team, I’m hoping we go to the state finals and take home a championship title. As an individual, I hope to improve in all the skills in this game, both mental and physical. I want to play to my utmost potential and do whatever it takes to support and motivate my team. Most of all, I’d like to end this great season with a lot of success and have fun while doing it.

LVP: What’s your favorite part about playing for the Lady Highlanders?
GS: I love being part of the traditions that go all the way back to when my sister was playing for West Morris Central. I love my team–they’re all like my big sisters, and I know I can trust and be myself with them. That, to me, was such a warm welcome to my first year playing for the Lady Highlanders.

LVP: Do you play any other sports?
GS:
As of last year I gave up playing soccer, basketball, softball and track so I could dedicate my time to playing volleyball year-round.

LVP: What do you like to do off the court?
GS:
When I’m not playing volleyball I like to hang out with my friends, bake cookies, and go to the beach! What I love to do most is hang out with my big sister (my best friend), or my big brother. I’m really close with both of them and I would be lost without them. They’re an inspiration to me and I look up to them in all aspects of life.


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