By Brian Kapur; NORTHWEST CURRENT

When Visitation’s volleyball team gathered for tryouts at the start of the school year, the Cubs’ basketball star Maeve Carroll was in the gym. But she wasn’t there perfecting her post moves or jump shot — she was trying to earn a spot on the team.

“I’ve never played volleyball,” Carroll said. “I’ve always been asked if I was a volleyball or basketball player. I figured it was senior year, and [Colleen Morrison, a senior on the team] asked me.”

Her new teammates quickly embraced her. “She’s a natural athlete, and she just came on the court and said, ‘Hey guys, I’m here to play volleyball,’” said senior libero Maddy Kogler. Carroll has provided an immediate boost to the Cubs front lineas an intimidating blocker.

“We knew she could jump,” Kogler said. “Ever since, she has been going up and hitting the ball down. She’s blocking, and that’s something we were missing.” While the senior addition bolsters the lineup, the Cubs return stars Morrison and Kogler, who are stepping into leadership roles as the team’s captains.

During their four years at the school, they have seen the program grow and feel they are on the verge of a breakthrough. “I’ve been on varsity for four years,” said Kogler. “We have come a long way since my freshman year. We made a lot of improvements last year, and we have the potential to be very good.”

So far this season, the Cubs have a 1-2 record with a win over Holton-Arms. With Carroll’s front-line boost and the talented senior captains, the Cubs will try to become the team that dethrones Flint Hill, the four-time defending Independent School League champion.

“We have a lot of potential,” said Morrison. “There is a lot of dedication at practice on the court. I think we’re going to do some serious damage this year.”

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