The Dartmouth High School girls varsity volleyball team started out the season rough, but won the game against North Quincy High School 4-1 on Monday, Sept. 22. 

The year has been “a rollercoaster,” according to head coach Rachel Lassey. Although the team has won a majority of their matches with seven wins and two losses, she said it has been stressful, with a lot of highs and lows. 

“I keep waiting for this team to figure out what their identity is for this season, and they’re putting themselves and me through a rollercoaster,” said Lassey. 

Team co-captain Mergherita Spinelli felt similarly, agreeing that the team has had both good and bad moments, such as communication issues, issues with knowing teammates’ positions and trusting each other. 

She did feel that the team’s chemistry was much better this game than it has been in the past, amounting to the Monday, Sept. 22 game being the best of the season so far. 

“We still have a lot to build forward to, but we are greatly improving every day, every practice,” said Spinelli, “Every game we’re getting better.” 

The team is senior-heavy this year, which Spinelli said means the team is better this year than it was last year. Because of this, Lassey wants the team to make this their best season with opportunities for life lessons and good memories.

The team hopes to advance as far in the tournament games as possible this year.

The team is facing off against Barnstable High School on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Dartmouth has only beaten Barnstable once in the past 15 years, but Lassey said the team is prepared to fight.

“We’re bringing everything, we’re giving it our all,” said Spinelli.