Each day provides another lesson for Vienna Coccia.
The senior outside hitter for the Neumann-Goretti High School girls volleyball team cemented her place as arguably the best player in team history as the Saints closed out their season with their first appearance in the PIAA state playoffs.
Despite being the motor that pushed the Saints to their first District 12 Class 3A championship in school history, an exhausted Coccia could only reflect on the wonderful high school volleyball journey she experienced as the end of the road arrived.
“I’ve never been prouder,” Coccia said. “We really pushed because we really wanted it. We had the drive to do it. We could have beaten this team tonight, but God had a plan and it just wasn’t our year.”
The Saints fell to Allentown Central Catholic in the first round of the PIAA Class 3A playoffs in three sets. Lined up against a historically strong Vikettes program that has won four state titles, the Saints produced an unwavering effort before ultimately falling in their first ever state playoff game.
For at least a set, they showed they belonged. For the remainder of the match, they showed their willingness to improve and return to the big stage. Allentown Catholic won 25-20, 25-14, 25-15.
“The girls did great,” Saints coach John DeRenzi said. “It was our first time in states and we played a very good Allentown team. This was one of our stepping stones. Next year, we’ll be back and we’ll know what to expect. We’ll be fine.”
And so will Coccia.
Her volleyball journey continues as she will play at DeSales University next year. She will be highly motivated to study early education and special education. Her older brother Dante has cerebral palsy and Vienna wants to help people like her brother.
“He really inspires me and I know I can take care of kids that are just like him,” she said. “I can teach them and help them through everything.”
Vienna said her brother taught her a few lessons in life, too.
“I look up to him more than anybody,” she said. “He’s my best friend and my favorite person. I wouldn’t be who I am without him. He genuinely helps me every day to be a better person.”
As a captain of the volleyball team, Coccia took those life lessons and taught them to her teammates. She helped the team raise $600 for Debbie’s Friend Fund, a breast cancer awareness organization, during a Cancer Awareness game this fall. She was also a positive influence on the court, consistently spurring on her teammates through good times and bad.
“She wears it on her sleeve. She is the biggest fighter we have,” DeRenzi said. “She’s our best player and our captain. She’s going to play in college. She’s awesome. It will (stink) to not have her here next year, but we will be OK. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what she will do in college.”
In addition to Coccia, seven other seniors who shaped the program — Lannie Burns, Jenna Caponigro, Valentina Conte, Gabby Crouch, Eva Minniti, Lilah Mosciniski and Madden Wilson — will graduate with the status of being the elders on the best team in school history.
“These girls shaped me into the person that I am today,” Coccia said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without these girls and (coaches) Nora (Cerone) and John (DeRenzi). I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
Coccia graduates as the all-time school leader in kills with close to 400. She was an All-Catholic selection all four years of her career.
“Just being a part of this team was my biggest achievement,” Coccia said. “Just helping to bring us to a district championship and to states. I’m more proud that I got to play with this team and be a part of everything that we did.” ••
