Miller provides boost for Penn Hills volleyball

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, October 14, 2017 | 1:00 AM

Senior outside hitter Becca Miller leads the Penn Hills girls volleyball team in kills this season and has worked to help develop a winning culture with her knowledge and experience playing with the Westmoreland Elite Volleyball Club.

She has brought some teaching points, as well as some team bonding aspects to aid in bettering the team's performance on the court.

“I try to bring back at practice what we do with these goofy cheers just to try them out and see if we want to do them during games, and most times they are too goofy to put on the court, but they bring a different vibe into the gym,” she said.

“The different drills, you can tell them about them and tell them this is what you can accomplish with volleyball. I have done it, and I have seen it. It's possible and we can do it too.”

Miller, who has aspirations of continuing her volleyball career at the collegiate level, is the type of player that coaches love to coach.

Indians coach Jay Mitlo describes Miller as a passionate, driven, well-rounded, selfless and committed player and individual, which is a great example for her teammates.

The Indians have won one match this season with a win over Woodland Hills in eight Section 4-AAAA matches.

Miller has been part of an Indians core that includes three other seniors — defensive specialist Mia Walker, outside hitter Natalie Verrico and right-side hitter Lindsey Depew — as well as sophomore setters Vanessa Persichetti and Colleen Hoolahan.

“They all aspire to have the skill set that she has. Nobody is more driven than Rebecca, so she sets a high standard for her teammates to play up to,” Mitlo said.

Initially, volleyball wasn't on Miller's radar until she picked up the sport in eighth grade. It has played a big role in her life the last five years.

“My mom really pushed me to do a team sport, and in eighth grade I had a gym class and my gym teacher told me I should really try out for the volleyball team,” Miller said. “He was very persistent about that. I originally had no plans of playing volleyball until then.”

The principles Miller has learned through her Westmoreland Elite experience, which began in the ninth grade after receiving a pamphlet about the club team after an Indians volleyball match, have helped her maturation.

“Playing for Westmoreland Elite is amazing. I love every practice, and every time I step on the court with Westmoreland Elite is amazing. The people there are great. I couldn't be the player I am today without them. I can 100 percent guarantee that. It's a very unique experience,” Miller said.

“I honestly believe if I went anywhere else I wouldn't have the team that I play on. Our team now is like family. I value a lot, and I don't realize what they all mean to me until the season is over.”

Even though Miller, who wants to major in mechanical engineering, is one of the key players for Penn Hills, she doesn't allow that to affect her attitude on the court if things might not be going her way.

“I just forget about it,” she said. “I just play volleyball. I play my best when I'm just playing for fun.”

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn Hills