Category Archives: RHAM

Sarah Veilleux

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Sarah graduated from RHAM high school in 2014. Playing under Tim Guernsey in both volleyball and basketball where she was a 4-year starter for both teams.

In the four years that Sarah played volleyball at RHAM HS, she contributed to an impressive team overall record of 84-8 and Central Connecticut Conference record of 56-0. As a freshman she won her first CIAC Class M State Championship in 2010 and then as a senior winning a CIAC Class L State Championship 2013. She finished her high school career with 1,271 kills and 2,079 points, respectively.

In addition to her team successes, Sarah was also acknowledged with the following personal accolades:

  • 1st Team CCC East – 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013
  • 1st Team All-Hartford Courant – 2010, 2011 & 2012
  • 2nd Team All-State – 2011
  • 1st Team All-State – 2012 & 2013
  • Max Preps Player of the Week – 2012
  • Under Armour Watch List – 2013
  • CHSCA Player of the Year – 2013
  • Hartford Courant Player of the Year – 2013
  • Class L State Final MVP – 2013
  • Senior All Star Blue – 2013
  • Gatorade Player of the Year – 2013
  • All Academic 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013
  • Team Most Improved Player – 2010
  • Team Most Valuable Player – 2011 & 2013

A gifted two sport athlete, Sarah attended Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia on a full basketball scholarship. Helping the team to the Atlantic 10 championship game in 2018. She was also twice named the Philly Big 5 Female Scholar Athlete, was the MVP of the 2017/2018 Hawk Classic, and a member of the 2017/2018 Atlantic 10 Conference All-Academic team. At Saint Joseph’s, she is ranked second all-time in free throw percentage.

Sarah graduated from Saint Joseph’s in 2017 with a BS in both Finance and Accounting where she was named a Sutula Scholar by the accounting department. As a fifth-year senior she earned an MBA in Business Intelligence and Analytics. After graduation Sarah worked for two years in public accounting earning her CPA during that time. She now works for a private equity firm based in Philadelphia.

Tessa Smolinski

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smolinski

Tessa Smolinski played scholastically at RHAM High School, where she was the school’s Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year as a senior. She became the program’s first Gatorade Connecticut Volleyball Player-of-the-Year when she led the Sachems to an undefeated season and a third straight Class “M” state championship. Smolinski was a two-time Most Valuable Player of the state title match and a two-time first-team Class “M” All-Stater.

After high school, Tessa attended Springfield College where she participated in four NCAA Division III tournaments and won two New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) post-season tournaments. She had a career 1556 kills and 1355 digs while at Springfield. As a senior, she was chosen as the NEWMAC Player-of-the-Year, and repeated as a second-team AVCA All-American. She is also the recipient of the NCAA Elite 89 Award, which is presented to the player at the national championships with the highest GPA, as she graduated with a 3.99 GPA.

Smolinski is an experienced clinician at various volleyball camps and clinics. She is now an assistant coach under Megan Silver-Droesch at the University of Connecticut, while pursuing a Doctorate in Audiology at the University.