A star on the court, classroom and community, Quaker Valley’s Molly MacDonald chooses college

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, October 13, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Two important facets of Quaker Valley senior Molly MacDonald’s life are academics and athletics, specifically volleyball.

MacDonald, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter on the QV girls volleyball team, has verbally committed to the admissions process at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt.

She will get the official word from the admissions office in December and plans to major in economics while continuing her volleyball career.

“I really wanted to go to a NESCAC school. My brother and sister both competed or are competing in the NESCAC, which made me want to go to an NESCAC school even more,” MacDonald said. ”I also loved the location and the outdoors aspect of Middlebury. I went on a visit this summer and fell in love with it. The campus is beautiful, and I really loved the coach.

“My goal has always been to go to a strong academic school.”

The four-year QV netter said her final choice came down to Middlebury and a few other prestigious academic schools.

“I think Molly made a great decision for both her academics and her athletics,” QV coach Mike Vavrek said. “She will do well; she has worked very hard the last few years to earn this opportunity.

“Molly’s strength is her knowledge of the game. She is a very smart volleyball player. That also carries over to her academics, as she is a very bright student. Molly has a ton of volleyball experience and has really worked on her game, not just in the high school season, but playing club volleyball, as well as taking private lessons at times. Molly also is a very dominant outside hitter who has been tough to stop this year.”

Vavrek has been in charge of the QV girls volleyball program for 14 seasons. He has been able to watch MacDonald resolutely develop her game.

“Molly has grown a ton since her freshman year,” Vavrek said. “She started as a freshman playing middle hitter, then moved to the outside her sophomore year and has been there ever since. Offensively, she has grown and become a more terminal hitter each year in high school. She has also grown in the serve-receive area and defensively as well. Her serve has become more consistent and more aggressive.”

The women’s volleyball team at Middlebury is coached by Sarah Raunecker. The Panthers compete in the NCAA Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference.

Jim Davis, who owns New Balance, graduated from Middlebury and is a financial backer for the school. There is a golf course and ski resort on the campus. Also of note, Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs are known to recruit heavily at the Vermont-based college.

NESCAC members are located in Northeast United States and, along with Middlebury, consist of Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Connecticut, Hamilton, Tufts, Trinity, Wesleyan and Williams.

MacDonald’s older sister Kenzie was a captain on the women’s ice hockey team at Amherst and her older brother Alex currently is a throwing specialist in the men’s track and field program.

MacDonald achieved a career milestone earlier this season by recording her 500th kill during a 3-0 section win against Avonworth.

She joined Annica Kagle as the only players to attain 500 career kills and was recognized for achieving the feat Sept 24 prior to QV’s home game against Northgate.

“Molly is very competitive,” Vavrek said, “and someone who wants to win all the time, which is great for an outside hitter because she wants the ball in all situations.

“Molly is also very dedicated; she is always wanting to work and improve. She has been playing volleyball since sixth grade and has enjoyed it more and more every year. She is someone who enjoys playing the game with her teammates.”

MacDonald also was chosen to the MAC all-tournament team this fall and participated in the Queens of the ‘Burgh summer tournament in Monroeville for a second year in a row. She was nominated twice for “Queen of the Week” honors.

The tournament is run by Avonworth coach John Skarupa, who offered high praise for MacDonald’s athletic abilities.

“Molly is a competitor in everything she does,” he said. “She is a very aware volleyball player with great court IQ and works hard to continue to get better.

“She is a very well-rounded, six-rotation outside that has put in the work through many private training sessions and puts in those extra hours away from the gym.”

MacDonald has a GPA of 4.64 and owns a charity called Brazos de Bienvenidas which, when translated, means “Welcoming Arms.”

MacDonald collects clothing, household items and food for underserved Hispanic and Brazilian residents who relocate to Pittsburgh.

“We work with the Sisters of St. Joseph’s out of Baden, Casa San Jose and the Center for Hope in Ambridge,” MacDonald said. “Initially, I was looking for opportunities to get service hours for the (National Honor Society). Then it morphed into a charity.

“I recruit my friends and teammates to help, and they can earn their service hours as well. So it’s a win-win.”

Donation sites include MacDonald’s parents’ two businesses — Advanced Chiropractic of Sewickley, located at 626 Beaver Street, and Transformation Weight Loss & Wellness, 2200 Georgetown Drive, Suite 102.

The enterprising senior student-athlete is a member of the National Honor Society, Global Scholars and student council and recently was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for completing more than 250 hours of service time.

“Molly has a great work ethic,” Vavrek said, “and that is something that carries over into the classroom, and also in the community with the things she does outside of volleyball.”

MacDonald used to participate in tennis, soccer, basketball, figure skating and club lacrosse, as well as taking piano lessons and playing the violin.

“I stopped playing club lacrosse in ninth grade to focus on volleyball,” she said.

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