Sommer Shaw and her mother, Sharon Wilson, often engage in bonding time through running at Commissioners Park in Alsip. Joining them is their pit bull, Joe. Shaw uses this time for extra training to boost her endurance for long volleyball matches.

During a recent match, Shaw stood out with five kills and three block assists, contributing to Marist’s 25-13, 25-11 victory over St. Laurence. Michigan commit Maggie Kurpeikis excelled with 13 kills and six digs. Taylor Berg and Maeve Gill also added to the team’s success with six and four kills, respectively. Haven Enselman recorded 26 assists and six digs, with Ariella Link adding 14 digs and four assists.

Marist boasts a 7-0 record this season, triumphing in 14 games with an average victory margin of 12.6 points. Shaw noted the team’s strong start and determination to win every match. Her jumping ability has caught coach Jordan Vidovic’s attention, marking her as one of the team’s highest touchers.

She jumps sneaky high, Vidovic said. She can get up there. She’s starting to come into her own.

Abby Ambrose led St. Laurence with four kills and two block assists. The match attracted a significant crowd as it marked the first meeting between the two programs.

The GCAC, in conjunction with the East Suburban Catholic Conference, consists of 21 teams divided into three divisions. Marist’s division includes tough competitors like Mother McAuley and Benet. They face nationally ranked teams in upcoming tournaments in Las Vegas and Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Shaw, picking up volleyball only in eighth grade, credits her friends for encouraging her to play. After participating in training camps and small tournaments, she joined 1st Alliance, marking the start of her rapid development in the sport.

I love the environment of volleyball, Shaw shared. I love all of my friends and how they uplift me.