By Kim J. Harmon

 

What is amazing is not that Stephanie Logan was able to accomplish what she did this year, but that she did it while shouldering the enormous burdens left behind by some great athletes.

For instance –

Last fall Stephanie played every point of every match and led the Newtown High School volleyball team to its first South-West Conference championship … one year after the Lady Nighthawks lost strong hitters like Ally Gellert, Kate Anderheggen, and Erin Carolan to graduation.

Last winter Stephanie scored 218 points and helped lead the Newtown High School girls’ basketball team to a Colonial Division title and 21-4 record … one year after the Lady Nighthawks went to the South-West Conference finals behind one of their best centers ever (Lisa Masella).

It was those accomplishments that earned Stephanie Logan, 17, the Newtown High School Female Athlete of the Year Award (chosen by The Newtown Bee).

So Good, So Fast

After playing basketball and tennis her whole life, Stephanie was ready to try something new in the fall of 2000.

“I had never touched a volleyball before my freshman year,” said Stephanie, 17. “But it is such a different sport, such a team sport, and it was so much fun.”

She started as a middle hitter on the jayvee team, learning the vagaries of the game, and it took her a while to get the hang of it (“It was really hard,” she said, “because I had no idea how volleyball was played. I really had to pay attention.”).

As a sophomore, Stephanie began to exert some of her influence on the varsity level, but it wasn’t until the last few weeks that she really started to get good. … even though the ‘Hawks finished 11-10 and were beaten by New Fairfield in the SWC semi-finals.

And though she did play well by the end of the 2001 season, it seemed as if she exploded onto the scene as a junior. Stephanie – whether at the net or behind the service line – became the most dominant player in the SWC.

“I had done so well by the end of my sophomore year,” she said, “it seemed I just started my junior year where I left off. It helps that I love the sport so much, because coming in I had a lot on my shoulders, and it was really surprising (doing so well).”

Stephanie played every point of every match and that’s because as deadly as she was at the net, she was equally as deadly behind the service line. Her career in tennis provided her with an overhanded swing (which she will be attempting to modify as she prepares for college in two years) and a natural topspin.

“It’s so different from basketball,” said Stephanie. “It’s invigorating. It’s an adrenaline rush. In basketball you can physically tired from running up and down the court, but in volleyball you get emotionally tired.”

Her enormous effort led the ‘Hawks to an 18-5 record and through a thrilling SWC championship match with Bunnell.

“We didn’t really think about (winning a championship),” said Stephanie. “It was in the back of our mind. But we worked really hard and bonded really well as a team. And once we started (the season), we thought there was hope for a championship.”

In the 3-2 championship win, Stephanie (who scored the winning point with a service ace) had 31 kills and was named SWC Tournament MVP.

“We just wanted it so bad,” said Stephanie. “To come into the season and have everyone seeing us as a nothing team, that made us want it bad. Our heart said we were winning it.”

And after that last ace hit the floor and the celebration had ended, Stephanie had only a short time before beginning her next daunting challenge – taking over at center for the departed Lisa Masella.

“I had such huge shoes to fill,” said Stephanie, “I knew I had to really step up. I was kind of nervous because basketball was so competitive and because of volleyball I was worried I would be a step behind.”

But she wasn’t. Stephanie scored 218 points as the ‘Hawks captured a Colonial Division title before losing to Notre Dame in the SWC semi-finals.

Once the long, grueling basketball season was over, Stephanie returned to the volleyball court. With her club team, she played in a tournament in Baltimore, Maryland in mid-May and got a lot of exposure in front of scads of collegiate coaches. Teams from all over the country – California, Texas and Ohio to name just three states – were on hand.

“It was good to see the kind of competition there is throughout the country,” said Stephanie.

It could prepare her for her next step in two years – college. She has already invited a lot of interest from Division I schools like Colgate, the University of Connecticut, and Ohio State and once the 2003 season gets underway, she will likely earned a LOT more interest.

“It will be exciting to see all my hard work pay off,” said Stephanie.

That goes for the rest of us, too.