Maize follows in sister's footsteps for Harper volleyball team

After a deep a run to the Final Four of the NJCAA women's volleyball tournament that saw Harper come away with a fourth-place finish last year, you'd think it would be a smooth transition into the next season.

Not so - but it's certainly helped the Hawks to have someone like Megan Maize around.

She figures to come close to tying or breaking the school record for digs (730). Maize has 312 digs after 59 sets and averages 5.29 digs per game, which puts her second in the country.

Maize is one of two sophomores on this year's roster; the other is Katie Spychala.

After her senior season at Elk Grove, Megan followed her older sister Nikki's path to Harper's team. The sisters were together for last year's success, which made for one very proud mom.

"It was a lot of fun," said Sue Maize of watching her daughters' success last season. Aside from some time spent together on their Focus club team, says Sue Maize, "It was the first time that they really played competitively together."

Sue was a setter at Lane Tech on Chicago's near northwest side. After high school, she walked on Northeastern University, where Nikki currently is studying to be a teacher.

Nikki, 21, earned All-American honors last season and had interest from Ashford University (in Clinton, Iowa) before deciding on attending Northeastern.

"I was worried about them last year, arguing like typical sisters," Sue said. "I think this year Megan is really missing Nikki."

Nikki played a key role in Megan's recruitment to Harper - she gave Megan's e-mail adress to Harper coach Bob Vilsoet.

"I went to some of (Nikki's) games," Megan said. "I just liked the way Bob coached."

And having already recruited Nikki through Elk Grove coach Joe DiSilvio also helped Vilsoet.

"I have a good relationship with Joe," Vilsoet said. "Just new watching her sister, I knew Megan would be good in her own right."

And Vilsoet was determined to add another Maize to the roster, particularly because there was a specific need.

"He called me every day about (Megan) going to Harper," said Nikki. "We were losing our libero, and I knew we needed another new passer."

After a possible academic scholarship to Illinois State didn't materialize, Megan's decision to join Harper became a no-brainer.

Still, it hasn't been all smooth sailing this fall for the Hawks. As frustration started in for Megan at one point this season, she sought out her older sister for a little counseling.

"She didn't realize," said Nikki, "what they had to go through, breaking in a freshman setter."

"She has a winning attitude " Vilsoet said of his sophomore libero. "She tries every bit as hard in practice as she does in games. I never have to worry about her attitude."

Megan's performance has also confirmed what her big sister and the rest of her family already knew.

"I knew her attitude, and that she would be a good addition to the team" Nikki said.