MARBLEHEAD — The Marblehead High volleyball team has been on a roll this season, sitting at 10-2 with a perfect 7-0 record in the Northeastern Conference.
Under head coach Killeen Miller, you could say the Magicians are the team to beat in the NEC.
“This team is driven. They’re motivated, they have big goals, and our leadership both on and off the court has been rock solid,” she said. “I’m proud of our players’ willingness to step outside their comfort zones – with each other and in their own play – and keep finding ways to get better.”
Volleyball: a sport in which team chemistry and communication are vital. Knowing what your teammate will do in any situation can be the difference between winning and losing.
According to Miller, this group has it all.
“This team just has so much heart and character. They look after one another, truly care for one another, and spend time building relationships off the court that make a real impact on it,” she said. “Being in the gym with them is fun. They’re positive, competitive, and fearless. They’re such a joy to coach.”
With a 7-0 record in-conference, Marblehead has positioned itself well to win the NEC – a goal set during the preseason.
“Our preparation has really set us up for success. From day one, this group set the goal of winning the NEC and built their mindset and work habits around that,” Miller said. “They respect how competitive our conference is, and they’ve approached every match with focus and purpose. They’re hungry for that title.”
Standout offensive players include Mari Modrzynska, Greta Sachs, and Lila Moniz.
“Mari reads the court so well and finds open spaces,” Miller said. “Greta and Lila are hitting with power and confidence, and they’re constantly pushing each other to elevate.”
Defensively, look no further than libero Sydney Faris.
“She’s been our anchor for us. She came into this season more confident and aware of her impact, and it’s transformed our defense,” Miller said. “She’s a communicator and competitor who raises the standard for everyone. She wants our hitters to swing big on her and prepare her for the big matches.”
Miller also praised setter Eva Burke.
“I’m also really proud of Eva Burke. We’ve challenged her to grow as a setter and she’s responded, improving defensively, becoming more consistent with her distribution, and commanding the court with confidence.”
Modrzynska, Sachs, and Issy Browning are captains. Miller has enjoyed watching them lead on and off the hardwood.
“I can’t say enough about our captains. They’ve kept open lines of communication with me, advocated for one another, and set a tone of accountability and composure. When your captains are all in, that energy carries through the whole team. Greta, Mari, and Issy bring calmness and confidence in big moments, and that steadiness makes all the difference.”
Despite the stellar start, there are lots of matches to go – and things to improve upon.
“We want to continue to compete harder against top-tier opponents. At times, we give away points instead of forcing teams to earn them,” Miller said. “We’re working on being smarter, bettering the ball, and staying competitive in every rally. Our motto has been the same all year: All in. It takes a team – not one person. We need to keep living that.”
As much as Miller has enjoyed watching her team win, she “adores” her players as people as well.
“I absolutely adore this group. They’ve challenged me to be a better coach and leader. Their motivation and drive are everything you’d want from a group of kids,” she said. “They just want to keep growing. I give them so much credit and I’m genuinely excited to see how strong they finish.”
