By: Emily O’Hara
It is a Friday night in Tower Hill’s Carpenter Fieldhouse, and the atmosphere is electric. Students, faculty, and fans pack the bleachers, decked out in the school’s green and white, as chants and cheers echo through the gym. The air is thick with anticipation, and as Tower Hill scores the final point, the crowd erupts, storming the court to congratulate the team.
At the center of it all is Reagan Squire, her charismatic personality and fierce determination leading her team to victory. For her, this is what homecoming weekend is all about- more than the dance or festivities, it’s the energy, the adrenaline, and the roaring crowd that brings it all together.
Squire, a senior who has stepped into the role of captain of the team this year, looks forward to this specific game every season. “The more electrifying the crowd is, the better the team is going to play”, she said. “Sometimes you need another source of energy to fall back on, and the crowd absolutely feeds into that.”
The Tower Hill volleyball team has enjoyed recent success, culminating in a state championship title in 2022 and a semifinal appearance in 2023. These successes leave big shoes to fill for Reagan, who, as captain, has set her sights on leading the team to another championship victory. With the departure of last year's strong senior class, the team faces the challenge of filling in some gaps. However, Squire is confident in the team’s ability to adapt. “Regardless of who comes in and who goes out, the team is still the same at its core, and our values are still the same. And I think that’s one thing that has helped us have consistent success over the past few years”, she explained, stressing that the team does not depend on one or two key players, but on an overall team culture that has been carefully cultivated for years, setting up the team for long term success.
But for Reagan, leadership isn’t just about winning championships. Her core values as a captain involve fostering a sense of belonging and support for all team members. “I just want to make sure that the youngest people on the team feel welcomed and valued so we can build the team for the future," Squire said. With this approach, she believes that she can bring confidence and energy to Tower Hill’s young team, setting them up for development and success even after she has graduated.
Among these “younger players” is Reagan’s younger sister, Madison, a sophomore and newcomer to the team. Sharing the same position, Reagan has naturally assumed a mentorship role alongside their sibling relationship. Madison explained that Reagan has always been a source of comfort and encouragement for her, truly impacting the experience she has had playing Tower Hill Volleyball “Next year I’m going to miss how comfortable she made me feel on the team. Coming in I was really nervous at first but I had my sister with me, and going into my second year on the team without her definitely won’t be the same,” Madison said. Reagan's positive influence is felt throughout the team, creating a supportive and encouraging environment that has given the team room to grow while still pushing for success.
So does Reagan believe that this year will bring Tower Hill Volleyball’s second state championship victory in 3 years? “One hundred thousand million percent,” she declared.
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