Meis sisters help Baldwin volleyball to top of section standings

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 13, 2017 | 11:00 PM

Both are quick, energetic athletes.

Both also are intuitive, sometimes acrobatic, defenders.

The Meis sisters — Mackenzie and Marissa — are two integral reasons behind the success of the Baldwin girls volleyball team this season.

Mackenzie, a 5-foot-1 junior and first-year varsity starter, plays the libero position. Marissa, a 5-foot senior and second-year varsity letter winner, is a defensive specialist.

“Mackenzie has developed into an excellent libero,” coach Chris Kelly said. “She's quick and aggressive moving to the ball. The part of her game that has improved the most, though, is her ability to read opposing hitters and be in the right spot to make a play.

“Marissa is also a great back-row player, and is one of the team's better servers. She has a tough serve, and plays really good defense out of right back, which I think is the most difficult place to play in the back row. She is loud and always talking on the court, which is very important for a defensive specialist where communication is key.”

Mackenzie, 16, used to play softball and participate in gymnastics but now concentrates solely on volleyball. She also competes for the Pittsburgh Point club team.

“The libero is usually your best defensive player,” Kelly said. “In each set, you're allowed to make 18 subs, but the libero doesn't count against that number. The libero can go in for anyone in any position in the back row. Regular subs have to always rotate in for the same position.

“I don't think we use our libero much differently than most teams. We want Kenzie to be involved in every serve-receive, and she plays the middle back position. That's the spot that requires the most mobility and quickness. Some teams play their libero out of left back.”

Mackenzie has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the Spanish Club, Special Olympics program and Math League. She leads the team in service aces.

“My role as the libero is to be in charge and loud; also, to be a leader,” she said. “I can see the whole game from the back, so I have to narrate the game. I am also in charge of the baseline, meaning I run down the back to pick up balls that go to the back corners.

“There is always room for improvement, so every day you just have to work harder and harder.”

Marissa, 18, owns a 4.1 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society, Math League, French Club, Special Olympics program and da Vincian Society.

She has played the right side on defense her entire varsity career.

“My main role is covering the middle of the court, so that means I pick up tips from the other team,” Marissa said. “Also, I have to cover my hitters and pick up the balls that get blocked.”

Marissa, who is a libero on the Pittsburgh Point club team, plans to study business or criminal justice in college.

The Meis sisters are part of an outstanding defensive corps at Baldwin that also includes seniors Brenna Green, Emelia Zandier, Megan Moskiewiski and junior Kerri Herron.

“The four other defensive specialists all contribute significantly,” Kelly said. “They are all very good and would be full-time starters, or liberos, on a lot of other teams. As far as a ‘leader' of the defensive corps, Brenna Green has the most experience. She started last year and is very good in serve-receive.”

Green, a second-year starter, is the team's tallest defensive player at 5-5. Zandier is an inch shorter at 5-4, while Moskiewiski and Herron are listed at 5-2.

The Highlanders' defenders may be short in stature, but they nonetheless are dauntless in the Baldwin backcourt.

“Our back row has been a huge part of our success,” Kelly said. “We traditionally haven't been a great blocking team, although this year we've seen improvements in that area, so our defense is relied upon to pick up a lot. When we play teams like USC that have really strong hitters, our defense gives us a chance to not only keep the ball alive but run an effective transition offense. They not only dig the ball, but they dig it with accuracy and precision. We also rely on our defensive players to serve aggressively.”

Mackenzie Meis and Green rank one-two in aces this season; Herron has the fewest service errors.

Baldwin rolled through the first half of section play undefeated, and opened this week with an 8-1 record in section play.

The Highlanders held a one-game lead over Upper St. Clair (7-2), which was followed by Bethel Park (5-3) and Peters Township (5-4). Canon-McMillan, Mt. Lebanon and Moon round out the section.

“We have had a really good season so far,” Mackenzie said. “Everyone underestimated us, and it feels good to prove everyone wrong. Not being picked in the preseason rankings definitely gave us motivation to try even harder and beat every team we play.

“We have high expectations for the rest of the season. We don't look past any team; we focus on one team at a time. Every day at practice, we try our hardest. Our goal is to outwork every team, and maintain focus.”

Marissa agreed with her younger sister's assessment, and with the general theme of the Highlanders' season.

“Our performance this year has been better than everyone expected,” Marissa said. “We are playing at a higher level and with confidence. I think we play great together, and that really shows in the results.

“People underestimated us, and we're doing a great job of proving them wrong. We are a strong team all-around, and we work harder than our opponent to win the match.”

Baldwin rallied past Upper St. Clair, 3-1, last week at home in its annual Dig Pink match to regain sole possession of first place in Section 2-AAAA.

The Highlanders dropped the first game before rallying to impressive victories in games 2, 3 and 4.

“That certainly was a big match for us,” Kelly said. “I felt it was important that we play well, especially after the loss at Peters. We also started to play a little better at our tournament the Saturday before the USC match. We hadn't been playing well for about two weeks prior to that.

“I'd like to say Game 2 against USC was a turning point (to the season), but we need to put a few good matches together for me to be convinced that it was a true turning point.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin