“We had an incredible season,” said Emma Kongevold, our Female Athlete of the Month for November. “After such a struggle in past years and now seeing the team come together like family and playing well was great.” The Lady Wildcats ended their season in the win column with a 9-8 overall record. Emma is an outside hitter and therefore a full-run player who loves the challenge that volleyball brings. “I also like the therapeutic nature of volleyball,” said the senior who hopes to be playing at Division II powerhouse Wilmington University next fall. “Each time I hit the ball away from me I’m removing a problem and if it gets dug back, I have to keep fighting until we get that point.”
According to Emma, the camaraderie that now thrives on the volleyball team seems to be prevalent throughout the halls and classrooms of her high school as well. “It’s not just the student camaraderie, but student-teacher camaraderie too,” said Emma. “Even if your having a tough day you can go to any one of our teachers and trust that that are going to help you because they want to, not because the have to.”
Witman Hernandez, our Male Athlete of the Month for November, has been here before but is still not comfortable with all the attention. “He is one of the most unselfish players ever,” said varsity coach John DiGiacomo. “He doesn’t care who scores as long as it helps the team win.”
While Witman may be a soft-spoken senior in street clothes, he lets his soccer skills do all the talking on the field. Those skills shouted loud and clear this fall as Witman and his teammates dismantled anyone who stood in the way of their quest to finish what was started years ago. “Our team this year is like a great family,” said the All-State MVP forward. “These guys are amazing soccer players and amazing human beings, it’s really great chemistry.”
Witman’s involvement with soccer at his high school and his travel team- the South Huntington Soccer Club’s U18 ‘Lightening,’ has opened many doors and it will soon be college decision time. “The great thing about soccer for me is that I’m having fun,” said Witman. “It’s not just a sport.” When asked what he liked most about his high school, Witman quickly credits the faculty for what they do best. “It’s the teachers here that help make it such a great place,” said Witman. “It doesn’t matter who you are, they will help you, and they will be there for you.”
Congratulations Emma and Witman, and to the members of the Walt Whitman High School family, they all make a great team.
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