Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Alizabeth Yang (Girls' Volleyball)

 

Senior volleyball player Alizabeth Yang missed out on playing last year due to

circumstances regarding COVID, but made the most out of her final year

as a Blue Devil.  

“She is in a list of very few players that I've coached that plays with more heart than you could imagine,” coach John Antonetti said.  “She gives us everything she has and leaves it on the court.  She's very committed to the program, she stays after her practice and helps with the JV1 team.”

Alizabeth grew up playing a variety of sports, but volleyball is in her blood.

“Volleyball has always been a part of my life,” Alizabeth said.  “My parents played when they were younger and now it’s been passed down throughout the whole generation of relatives.”

Alizabeth said playing volleyball is quite an experience.  

“The adrenaline when playing and how fun it is to move the ball only by your arms and hands (is what I like most about the sport,” Alizabeth said.  

“It's a mental game,” Alizabeth added.  “That we have to push through the mental state and just play the game (is something I’ve learned from coach Antonetti).”  

Alizabeth said she has truly enjoyed her time as part of the volleyball team.

“I love that we work as a team and treat each other as a family,” Alizabeth said.  

Alizabeth hopes to attend college next year and study business.  At LHS, Alizabeth said her favorite subject is math.  Outside of school, Alizabeth enjoys volleyball, writing, cooking and reading.

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Nico Martinez (Football)

Nico Martinez has been a huge part of the Blue Devil football team since his sophomore season.  Now a senior, Nico has made the successful transition from outside linebacker to inside linebacker and has truly flourished according to his head coach, Devin Gates. 

“It is a role that he has embraced and excelled at,” Gates said.  “He has a great work ethic and leads by example.  He is a warrior.  He has been all over the field making tackles.”

Gates said Nico is quiet off the field, but on the field, is the unquestioned vocal leader of the Blue Devil defense.  

Nico said he has taken a lot from his time under Gates.  

“No matter what you do in life, you’re going to have to fight through adversity,” Nico said.  “There’s nothing (Gates) pushes more than fighting through adversity.  We push through tough times all the time and you can let it beat you up or you can fight back and keep pushing.”

Nico started playing football in the fourth grade and has loved it ever since.

“Caeden Constant actually told me I should play with him because he was signing up,” Nico explained.  “I always liked watching the sport but never really played.  So I gave it a try and I fell in love with it right when I stepped on the field.”

Nico said he likes how football brings everyone on the team together. 

“It is one giant family,” Nico said.  “Everyone is able to go to one another.  If you ever mess up, someone is there to pick you up and move to the next play.  No one is left behind.”

Nico has also enjoyed his time playing high school at Leominster in part because of how all the players and coaches have a strong connection.  

“We are all able to joke around with each other but get to work when we need to,” Nico said.  “Everyone pushes each other in practice everyday to be the best player they can be.  The coaches always try pushing us to get to our full potential.  They believe we can get better and be better everyday and I strongly agree.”

Nico hopes to play college football next season and plans on studying business.  

Nico was also a big contributor to the successful baseball team at LHS this past spring.

“We had a great run last year making it to states,” Nico said.  “It was a tough loss (in the state title game) but a great experience for the seniors and the whole team.  It proved to us we can be and are great.  As long as we do what we needed to do, we would come out on top.”

In school, Nico said he has had two favorite classes.

“It’s a tie between history with Ms.Burns and health with Ms.Comeau,” Nico said.  “They were two great teachers and connected with all their students.”

Out of school, Nico said he tries to spend as much time as possible with his friends.

“Nothing is better than hanging out with your group of friends,” Nico said.  “You're always able to crack jokes and just have fun.  Let’s you escape from reality for a while.”