Resilient volleyballers thriving in Marblehead

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Last Updated, Oct 23, 2024, 7:03 AM

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MARBLEHEAD — The Marblehead volleyball team has been enjoying a successful season thus far. Last year, the Magicians finished with a 7-11 record. Fast forward a year, and they’re 10-6 (press time) ahead of a late postseason push.

Marblehead was young last fall, but gained lots of experience, according to its head coach.

“I think our kids learned a lot of tough lessons from last season – mentally and physically,” said coach Killeen Miller. “This season, we talked about how we didn’t want to be in the situation we found ourselves in last year with not making the state tournament. … This year’s group has grit and determination. They are competitive and want to make an impact.”

Miller described her team as “resilient.” Considering the team rarely drops its head after losing a set, you could say that’s an accurate description.

Just look at a match against Reading from earlier this season. The Magicians won the first set (25-19) before dropping the second and third sets (13-25, 26-28). They won the fourth set (25-19) to set up a fifth and final.

Despite not playing with consistency that evening, Marblehead found a way to win the closer (22-20).

It was Miller’s favorite match of the season.

“They are working tremendously hard each day. We’ve had some tough losses, but the next day in practice, these kids work even harder to get back on top,” she said. “I’m really proud of this group. They’ve stuck together through the good and difficult times and keep coming out stronger.”

One player who’s enjoying a stellar season is Meg Parkman, a senior who has produced at the highest level.

Miller said Parkman is “an unbelievable captain.

“Every day, she demonstrates the work ethic we all strive for our athletes to hold. Meg communicates, takes accountability, and truly leads our team down a path of success,” Miller said. “She’s also incredibly patient. She knows this group inside and out and gets what they need. … I’m so proud of Meg. Her experience has brought this team so far. They look up to her and her leadership is felt both on and off the court.”

Although the senior class is small, juniors bring a lot of experience and are a tight-knit group, according to Miller.

“Our junior class is an incredible group. Greta Sachs remains on top of the state offensively and continues to be our go-to when we need a big point. Mari Modryznska is our anchor. Mari is so consistent. When things go awry, she always knows the play to help settle things down. Mari has so much trust from our coaches and her teammates,” Miller said. “Eva Burke continues to consistently get our attackers the ball. Eva’s experience playing high-level volleyball has brought our offense a great deal of consistent options to score points. Combined, these three are a force.”

A player who has taken a leap this year, according to Miller, is sophomore Sydney Faris. She was praised by Miller for being adaptable and unselfish.

“Sydney Faris has stepped up for this team in a big way. We told Sydney that our team needed her to transition from libero to being a primary all-around offensive player, and she took that on with force,” Miller said. “Sydney is always wholeheartedly putting forth her best effort and just works tremendously hard. She’s truly a player to watch, for she’s only going to get better and better as she progresses.”

With the ability to make noise in the state tournament, Miller said her program will keep working hard and take things one match at a time.

Mark Aboyoun is a New Jersey born sports writer at The Daily Item. Aboyoun is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University ’18 and went on to earn his Juris Doctor at Western New England School of Law in 2021.

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