Maria has been part of Sequoyah’s varsity offense since her freshman season and enters this year as one of the program’s most experienced returning pins. Earlier in her career she already showed the ability to contribute as both a scorer and back-row player, producing substantial kill, dig and serve-receive volume as an underclassman.

That complete background should matter against Pace. The Knights are traditionally disciplined enough that one-dimensional attacking becomes easier to contain. Maria’s strength can be her ability to stay relevant even when she is not terminating—pass the serve, defend, transition and return as an option later in the rally. The intangible advantage is familiarity with high-pressure volleyball. She has played through postseason environments before, and that experience can help keep a team steady when a short tournament-format set starts moving quickly. ~ S.Fitzgerald @BenchtoBeast_prepdigga