WOODBURY – It was the Berkshire League Semifinal game for Volleyball, and Nonnewaug was down a libero. Despite the team doubting their chances, one player stepped up–Chloe Whipple.
The whole game Whipple played as Libero and ended up leading her team to the finals.
But before her heroic play in the semifinals, Chloe played the serving sub.
This position is very difficult for a player’s mindset. The player normally only has about ten minutes of playing time or one rotation to perform their best.
“This year Chloe had to be our serving sub and only came in in one rotation,” said Marty Malaspina, the varsity girls volleyball coach for NHS. “That’s a high pressure situation, where you’re only on for one rotation and you have to perform at a high level, and she did it really well because her attitude was really good.”
In the 2025 volleyball season, Chloe played a big part in the team’s success. Even when she wasn’t on the court, she was cheering for her teammates and hyping everyone up.
“It’s very rare to ever see Chloe get negative,” says Malaspina. “It’s very valuable to have a player that doesn’t get negative, regardless of the result of the player or the situation.”
Not only did she play for the varsity volleyball team, but she also plays for varsity basketball and is planning to play tennis this upcoming season.
For anyone, three varsity teams, along with above average grades and an active social life, would be a lot to handle. But not for Whipple.
Why? Because of her attitude, effort and endurance.
William Maisto, the varsity girls basketball coach at Nonnewaug, finds Whipple a great addition to the team because of these traits.
“She gives off a positive vibe with her passion to succeed and willingness to do the little things to help the team,” said Maisto.
Along with coach Maisto, Gemma Hedrei, her teammate and classmate, feels the impact of her positivity.
“She is a great spirit, and she is a great teammate,” said Hedrei. “She is always so kind and is always positive towards other people on our team.”
However, her attitude is not the only thing pushing her to greatness. Whipple is building a reputation with her coaches as someone who will put effor into everything and who always does her best and gives it her all–no matter if it’s during practice or a game.
“Chloe is successful in many sports because she puts in the time needed to perfect her game. Mentally and physically,” says Maisto. “She is always improving and doing whatever she can to reach her full potential.”
Maisto isn’t the only one who recognizes this.
“She is always determined to do her best and is very hard on herself.” Hedrei says, “I have never seen someone push themselves as hard as she does daily within sports and academics.”
