Seniors, Kristene Hirsch and Erin Cooper are members of the Division Avenue varsity volleyball team. This season, Hirsch led the team in passing with an 88 percent passing average, and as a middle and outside hitter has averaged 10 kills per match, second to Cooper who averages 12 kills. In their four years as starters on the varsity team, both Hirsch and Cooper have demonstrated superb leadership, competitiveness and sportsmanship. Because they possess these qualities, Hirsch has been captain for the past two years and Cooper was awarded the Red Letter Coaches Award in 1996 and 1997. This season, in the Kellenberg Memorial Volleyfest Tournament, Cooper received MVP honors and Hirsch was named on the All Tournament Team.

Hirsch maintains an 88 grade point average and outside of school has pursued volleyball throughout her youth, including attendance at the Long Island Big Apple Volleyball Camp, Bentley College Elite Volleyball Camp, and being a member of Long Island Big Apple Volleyball Club in 1995 and 1996. She continued, in 1997 as a member of the Long Island Power Volleyball "elite 16 and under" team and this yeaer on the "18 and under" team. Hirsch has also received All Conference and All County awards in volleyball as well as participating on the Top 50 team for the past two years. She plans to continue to play volleyball at a Division I or Division II college.

Cooper has excelled in several sports including softball in which she has been an All County shortstop/first baseman since ninth grade and was nominated for All State in 1997. She has played for the Long Island Chargers tournament team for the past four years.

While maintaining an 85 grade point average. Cooper expands her commitments outside the realm of sports and into school and community. She has utilized her leadership skills to help others by becoming a member of the Athletes Helping Athletes mentor program and taking part in the organization of Red Ribbon Week for AIDS awareness and the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, which helps local families during the holiday season. Cooper's community activities include her annual participation in the Diabetes Walkathon and the Jones Beach Breast Cancer Walkathon. This year Cooper was nominated for the Women's Sports Foundation Award, a very prestigious award among young women and girls in sports.

Both Hirsch and Cooper have illustrated what it takes to be true athletes with their hard work and determination on and off the court. These young ladies will be graduating this year and we hope that they will continue in their pursuits.