Category Archives: Middletown

Noelle Emmette Raymond

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Noelle attended Middletown High School in Middletown, Connecticut from 1984 to 1988. A natural multi-sport athlete, she rowed crew every spring apart from her senior year on the softball team. However, volleyball each fall was always her true passion. Under the guidance of Coach Paula Smalec-Astramowicz, a Connecticut Women’s Volleyball Hall of Fame (CWVBHF) Class of 2005 during her first year, Noelle quickly developed a strong foundation in the sport. Her growth as an athlete was further influenced by #1 Total Volleyball Camp, run by CWVBHF Class of 1998 inductee Debbie Chin. Even after Coach Astramowicz departed after only one season, Noelle continued to excel, earning All-Conference honors all four years, and serving as captain in her senior year.

Noelle’s success at Middletown High School led to a volleyball scholarship to Bryant University, where her career flourished. As a freshman, she was named the Northeast 10 Rookie of the Year, and by her senior year, she had earned numerous accolades, including 1st Team All-Conference selections (1988-1991),

NE10 Player of the Year (1991), again served as captain her senior year, and earned a spot on the American Volleyball Coaches Association AVCA Northeast All-Region team (1991). In addition, she was also named Bryant’s Outstanding Female Athlete in 1991.

Many years post-graduation, her impressive hitting percentage and kills/match stats drew the attention of the current Bulldogs Coach Theresa Garlacy. She extended an invitation, leading to Noelle’s induction into the Bryant University Athletics Hall of Fame, Class of 2006.

After college, she continued to play volleyball on various women’s and co-ed teams, in leagues and at tournaments. In one such league, she met her husband, David Raymond. Today Noelle works as a personal trainer at the Southington Community YMCA. Since 2012 she has been involved with referring, running, and supporting the Southington YMCA volleyball league.

Victor Rivera

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With over 30 years of coaching experience at the high school, club, and collegiate levels, Victor has dedicated his career to developing athletes and building championship caliber programs.

Victor currently serves as the Director of Player Development for the Husky Volleyball Club in Hartford, Connecticut and as the assistant varsity girls’ volleyball coach at both Glastonbury High School and South Windsor High School.

Victor coaching journey with the Husky Volleyball Club began as the Head Coach of the 18-1 National Team (2003-2014), as well as the Head Coach for the Husky 15-1 National Team (2022-2024). He was also the Regional Court Coach Director (2018-2021), where he helped elevate player performance and coaches at the regional level.

At the high school level, Victor has led several programs, including:

* Head Coach, Girls Volleyball, Maloney High School, Meriden, Connecticut  (1999-2006) and (2012-2015)

* Head Coach, Girls Volleyball, Middletown High School, Middletown, Connecticut (2009-2011)

* Head Coach, Girls Volleyball, East Hampton High School,  East Hampton, Connecticut (2008-2009)

* Head Coach, Boys Volleyball, Maloney High School, Meriden, Connecticut (1998-2004)

* Head Coach, Platt High School, Meriden, Connecticut (1996-1998)

Victor’s collegiate coaching experience includes serving as the Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach at the University of Hartford in Hartford, Connecticut (1994-1995). He would then spend a decade working with athletes at the Connecticut Juniors Volleyball Club in Woodbridge, Connecticut, leading the 15’s, 16’s, and 18’s teams from (1992-2002)

Throughout his career, Victor has guided teams to their highest achievements, including:

* 1999 Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC Class M State Championship with the Maloney Boys’ Volleyball team.

* 2002 Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference CIAC Class L State Championship with the Maloney Girls’ Volleyball team. This team had a record of 25-0, finished the season ranked #1 in Connecticut, and was inducted into the Maloney High School Hall of Fame Class of 2014.

Over the course of his career, Victor guided his teams to numerous accolades, including: 34 All-Conference players, 8 All-State players, 1 Gatorade Player of the Year in 2002 Leah Hettrick, Connecticut Women’s Volleyball Hall of Fame (CWVBHF) inductee in 2012, 1 NCAA Collegiate All-American, Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) Champions in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 and CCC Tournament Champions in 2000, 2002, and 2005.

Victor is passionate about cultivating athletes’ skills, fostering character, and preparing them for success on and off the court. Victor has led the popular Senior All-Star Game since 2014 and is currently the Athletic Director at Weaver High School in Hartford, Connecticut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donna Rackie

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Donna grew up in Middletown, CT and played multiple sports for the Tigers during her years there, graduating in 1983. Her favorite sport was volleyball where she played has setter for 4 years; junior and senior years on the Varsity Squad and Captain her senior year. Coach Paul Cavaliere led her team to the state semifinal in 1982.

Donna continued her volleyball career as a freshman walk-on for the Bentley University Falcons in the fall of 1983. Coach Sandy Hoffman was a second-year coach and a great influence. Sandy improved the team from an average season of 19 – 12 to a successful 40 – 7 and was later inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame. In Donna’s senior year they traveled to Alaska to defeat the University of Alaska and the University of Fairbanks. Donna was named the MVP in her senior year and the Falcons won the Northeast- 10 tournament for the first time and Bentley’s history.

After graduating from college, Donna looked to continue her involvement in volleyball. Fran Vandemeer, a fellow Hall of Famer, trained Donna to become an official. Also tutored by Hall of Fame official Tony Aretakis, she officiated many high school girls’ volleyball games, SCC tournament games and state-level tournament games. After 32 years of officiating she plans to continue as an official for the Southern Board. Donna has also officiated boys’ volleyball for 24 years and serves on the CIAC boys’ volleyball committee.

Beyond officiating, Donna’s involvement includes being an instrumental member of the committee that created the Southern Board of Volleyball Officials. She also continues to assist with mentoring, training, and rating new officials. She has served the SCVBO as the training coordinator for five years and also volunteers to officiate the Connecticut Special Olympics volleyball matches.

Donna resides in Wallingford with her husband David and her children Deanna and Derek.