Madison Haft-Abromovitch ’24 was a four-year varsity track and field athlete at Rye Country Day and a two-year Varsity volleyball player. 

Madison competed from freshman through senior year in a variety of hurdling and throwing events, and during her junior and senior years, she served as a volleyball team captain and played as a setter and outside hitter. She is especially proud of being a member of the founding RCDS volleyball team, which launched in 2022. 

For track and field, Madison earned FAA All-League recognition in the shot put as a junior, and she received FAA All-League honors in the discus along with the Coaches Award in her senior year. Her volleyball accolades include All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention and the Coaches Award in her junior year. As a senior, she helped lead the Volleyball program to major progress, securing 12 wins and advancing to the program’s first FAA League Tournament. That same season, she also earned FAA Honorable Mention. Madison was also a recipient of a 2024 Senior Dean’s award, which honors twelfth graders who have made an outstanding contribution to their class and to the School during their senior year.

Madison continues her volleyball career at Brandeis University, starting as a right side hitter and transitioning to outside hitter during her current sophomore season.

How has your Wildcat experience as a student-athlete been influential throughout your life and contributed to your professional/personal success?

Being a Wildcat taught me to play with pride and represent my school’s jersey with purpose. It also showed me how to balance high expectations both academically and on the court. Competing with confidence under supportive coaches allowed my passion for volleyball to flourish. Most importantly, it taught me how to be a true team player. These lessons have stayed with me as a collegiate-level athlete, shaping how I communicate, handle pressure, and commit to shared goals. The sense of community I experienced at RCDS continues to guide the kinds of environments I strive to build now and in the future.

What is a highlight of your career as a student-athlete, in college or beyond?

The highlight of my collegiate career so far came last fall, when we ended our program’s 22-year losing streak against Tufts. It was a significant accomplishment for our team and a powerful reminder that all of our hard work was paying off.

Did an RCDS coach inspire you? How so?

Many coaches supported me throughout my athletics journey at RCDS, but Coach George Lambrecht had the most lasting impact. He instilled genuine confidence in me and believed in my athleticism and skill in both volleyball and track and field. He consistently pushed me to become the best version of myself, and I am incredibly grateful for that.

What is the most valuable gain from your time as a student-athlete at RCDS?

The most valuable gain from my time as a student-athlete at RCDS is the community that genuinely supported and continues to support me. From classmates showing up to our games to the crowds at Wildcat Weekends, the sense of pride and encouragement at RCDS is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Once A Wildcat, Always A Wildcat!

*Photos courtesy of Lewis Glass, Kenichiro Franck, and Daniel Oren