By Robert Wilson
Matthew Harris had an excellent season in his first year as Madison St. Joseph’s volleyball head coach.
Not only did Harris led the Lady Bruins have a huge turnaround season – winning 14 more games, almost four times as many as last season – St. Joe completed it season with a state championship, the second state volleyball title in school history.
St. Joe rebounded from a 6-11 record last season to have a 19-5 record this year and defeated Pillow Academy for the MAIS Division II state championship. St. Joe’s only other state title came in 2021.
Harris inherited a team that lost only one senior to graduation. He had three seniors, all starters, on this year’s team.
“The biggest difference this year was that our players truly bought into the program, trusted one another, and committed to getting better every day,” Harris said. “They grew together, improved each week, and learned to believe in what we were building. Their growth wasn’t just about talent – it was about trust, commitment, and a shared belief in the team. They are an extremely talented group of players. We also dealt with a lot of adversity this year. Several key injuries throughout the season and there was always someone ready to step up and fill the void. It was such a blessing to have so much depth at the varsity level.”
“We are so proud of the girls and the coaches on a great season,” St. Joe athletic director Michael Howell said. “Coach Harris did a tremendous job developing the girls and continuing to help them get better throughout the season. They played their best volleyball at the end of the season, which is what you want.”
Senior outside hitter Addison Olier had 230 digs, 60 kills and 19 aces. Senior outside hitter Malia Tatum had 460 digs, 152 kills, 68 aces and 3 blocks. Senior setter Mary Alice Foster had 400 assists, 110 digs, 38 aces, 17 kills and 9 blocks. Sophomore middle hitter Caroline McCoy had 127 kills, 45 digs, 22 blocks, and 9 assists. Sophomore middle hitter Maya Nevosadova had 110 kills, 95 digs, 11 blocks, 3 assists. Junior libero Lily Kate Lloyd had 500 digs, 25 assists and 20 aces. Sophomore pin hitter Ellie Williams had 340 digs, 179 kills, 39 aces and 8 blocks.
“This season was very special to me,” Foster said. “The big win was great, but the work and time with my team leading up to it was the best part of all.”
“This season was the best one yet,” Tatum said. “It felt like such a huge payoff after all of the work that has been put in each year and it finally did. We made history and the best memories were made on this team and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“This season meant so much to me because of all of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices we put in and the memories we made as a team,” Olier said. “I’m so grateful I got to experience this with my best friends and being able to say we’re champions makes it even more special.”
By Robert Wilson
Matthew Harris had an excellent season in his first year as Madison St. Joseph’s volleyball head coach.
Not only did Harris led the Lady Bruins have a huge turnaround season – winning 14 more games, almost four times as many as last season – St. Joe completed it season with a state championship, the second state volleyball title in school history.
St. Joe rebounded from a 6-11 record last season to have a 19-5 record this year and defeated Pillow Academy for the MAIS Division II state championship. St. Joe’s only other state title came in 2021.
Harris inherited a team that lost only one senior to graduation. He had three seniors, all starters, on this year’s team.
“The biggest difference this year was that our players truly bought into the program, trusted one another, and committed to getting better every day,” Harris said. “They grew together, improved each week, and learned to believe in what we were building. Their growth wasn’t just about talent – it was about trust, commitment, and a shared belief in the team. They are an extremely talented group of players. We also dealt with a lot of adversity this year. Several key injuries throughout the season and there was always someone ready to step up and fill the void. It was such a blessing to have so much depth at the varsity level.”
“We are so proud of the girls and the coaches on a great season,” St. Joe athletic director Michael Howell said. “Coach Harris did a tremendous job developing the girls and continuing to help them get better throughout the season. They played their best volleyball at the end of the season, which is what you want.”
Senior outside hitter Addison Olier had 230 digs, 60 kills and 19 aces. Senior outside hitter Malia Tatum had 460 digs, 152 kills, 68 aces and 3 blocks. Senior setter Mary Alice Foster had 400 assists, 110 digs, 38 aces, 17 kills and 9 blocks. Sophomore middle hitter Caroline McCoy had 127 kills, 45 digs, 22 blocks, and 9 assists. Sophomore middle hitter Maya Nevosadova had 110 kills, 95 digs, 11 blocks, 3 assists. Junior libero Lily Kate Lloyd had 500 digs, 25 assists and 20 aces. Sophomore pin hitter Ellie Williams had 340 digs, 179 kills, 39 aces and 8 blocks.
“This season was very special to me,” Foster said. “The big win was great, but the work and time with my team leading up to it was the best part of all.”
“This season was the best one yet,” Tatum said. “It felt like such a huge payoff after all of the work that has been put in each year and it finally did. We made history and the best memories were made on this team and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“This season meant so much to me because of all of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices we put in and the memories we made as a team,” Olier said. “I’m so grateful I got to experience this with my best friends and being able to say we’re champions makes it even more special.”
