By Lee Davis
It’s hard to imagine how Mary Catherine Hart could improve on her sophomore year at John Carroll Catholic.
Not only did Hart help lead her team to the state 6A volleyball championship, but she was named the Most Valuable Player of the state tournament. In addition, her sister Lucy – who also starred in volleyball – was chosen as the school’s homecoming queen.
“Last year was special, no doubt about it,” said Hart, when contacted last week. “I’m still super-excited about everything that happened. Even nearly a year later, everything is surreal. I’ll never forget it. But we also have to move on.”
The memories are sweet. In 2014, John Carroll defeated Pelham – a team that had defeated the Lady Cavs three times in the regular season – to win its first-ever volleyball crown. Hart had 11 kills, three digs and four blocks in the final, while Kelsi Hobbs had 15 kills and 14 digs and Anna Runyan had 21 assists. John Carroll finished with a 40-8 mark. The storybook victory stirred widespread celebration among Cavalier boosters and alumni.
As her junior season begins, Hart and her Lady Cavalier teammates face a fresh challenge, as they have a rare opportunity to earn a second consecutive title.
“There is a different mindset going on here,” Hart said. “Last year we were working to achieve a goal. This season we are working to maintain what we gained. It’s far more difficult to stay at the top than to reach the top in the first place. We realize that and that’s why we are working harder than ever.”
So far the hard work seems to be paying off, as John Carroll has enjoyed another strong start. Through the end of last week, the Lady Cavs had compiled an overall 11-3 record and were a perfect 3-0 in Class 6A area play. The worksheet is impressive enough to have John Carroll ranked number one in the latest polls.
“It’s an honor to be picked high again,” Hart said. “But it’s also a responsibility. Every team we play wants to beat John Carroll now. That means we have to be ready to play every night. We can’t take anything for granted.”
Hart’s personal numbers have also been outstanding. From the middle hitter position, she has played 36 sets with 61 kills, 15 solo blocks, 17 total blocks and 28 aces. Hart had nine kills and five aces in a 2-0 win over Oxford in late August. She recorded four blocks in an early season victory against Spain Park.
“I had a good summer playing club volleyball so I felt good about my junior year,” Hart said. “The main area I need to improve is my blocking.”
Hart credits the Lady Cav seniors – Hobbs, Runyan, Paige Pruet, Tori Coker and Kaylee Gilchrist – for providing solid leadership.
“As a junior, I’m not truly a team leader but we get great leadership from the girls in our senior class,” she said. “They do a great job of explaining to the younger girls how hard we have to work if we plan to be successful again.”
This season is different for Hart in a personal way – her sister and former teammate Lucy has moved on to college.
“I definitely miss her a lot,” Hart said. “Lucy helped and inspired me in so many ways. All I can do is take what she taught me and focus on the future.”
From the time Hart was a small child, volleyball seemed to be part of her destiny. She began playing the game as a third grader at St. Rose of Lima Academy and was competing at the club level by the time she reached middle school.
“Even at the very start, I loved to play,” she recalled. “I knew then it was going to be a big part of my life.”
Mary Catherine Hart’s sophomore season may be a tough act to follow, but don’t be surprised if she pulls an encore this time around.
