Keem sets the tone

by Matthew Ondesko: Managing Editor

It’s that time of year. When all the hard work you put in during the regular season comes down to one game. One game that will define if your season was a success or not.

As they playoffs finish up for the fall season, St. Mary’s High School volleyball is back where they belong. The Lancers have a tradition of winning. A tradition of winning Monsignor Martin, and state titles.

Every year it seems they just reload with some of the best volleyball players in Western New York.

Madison Keem has been part of all the success of the last four years. She has been one of the main reasons why the Lancers have been able to sustain their success for so long. But, when the season started in mid August, the last thing on Keem’s mind was adding to another state tile. She was more concerned about making sure the team had that chemistry it needed to get the season started off on the right foot.

“When the season starts, I am not concerned with States because the tournament is so far away. In the beginning, I'm focused on the team building good chemistry, and improving our game. As it gets closer to the State Tournament, it is definitely a thought in my mind, but I wouldn’t call it pressure. Each new season brings new girls which brings a new mindset,” stated Keem, “I think having such a great group of confident players diffuses the pressure each year. Obviously, no year is the same but being as close of a team as we are helps us focus on what matters: playing St. Mary’s Volleyball. Winning the State Title is great, but having a team that is confident in each other and focused rids the pressure each year. Knowing we trust each other allows us to play St. Mary’s Volleyball and come out on top as the Champions. After all, pressure is a privilege.”

Keem knows all about pressure, after all she is the starting setter on the team. Every time she steps on the court, Keem needs to make sure her game is airtight. She is the engine that makes the ship go.

As the setter, Keem has to be make sure her passes are where she wants them, so her teammates can put away the shot. Before she even gets to play in the game, Keem is putting in the hard work during practice.

It’s countless hours of making sure her footwork is where it needs to be so those passes are where they need to be. It’s working on her accuracy. Working to make sure those passes are in the same place every single time.

“Being a setter, I would say that the mistakes we make are visible the most. If the ball isn’t in the same position every time, your hitter can’t get a great swing on it, lowering the chances of them getting a kill and earning a point for the team,” stated Keem. “If one thing is off, it could ruin the set. A lot of the work done in setter training is specific. It is a lot of countless hours working on little things like footwork and hand placement. Accuracy is a huge part of setting and it takes a while to get it down. You have to learn the different sets and how your hitters like the ball. Sometimes, it can seem nettlesome, but it pays off in the end.”

Keem will often say pressure is a privilege. Not many can handle the pressure of playing the position that she does. Where all eyes are watching on every play. Not many can play for a school that has the highest expectations when the season starts.

Instead of feeling the pressure to be perfect all the time, Keem embraces the chances she has to play for a school with a rich volleyball tradition. Volleyball is a game of mistakes. You can’t get too down on one mistake.

“I often tell myself that pressure is a privilege. It’s an honor to be on this team with amazing coaches and teammates and you can’t let pressure get in the way of that. Everyone makes mistakes and no one is perfect. Our coach, Donnie, loves to say “Volleyball is a game of mistakes,” which is one hundred percent true,” stated Keem. “I also believe that my worth is not found in volleyball. I don’t play for myself, I play to honor God. I have been blessed with the athleticism to play volleyball and I do it to thank and honor Him. Knowing this allows me to look past my mistakes and get rid of the pressure I may be feeling. Telling myself these things helps me to maintain a calm presence on the court.”

All her success on the court, over the past four years, has not gone unnoticed. After there playoff, and possible state runs, Keem will focus on the next chapter of her life. That next chapter will see Keem continue to play volleyball in college.

When it came to looking for a college, Keem was looking for a school that was going to be a good fit for her both athletically and academically.

“Recruiting is always a challenging process for everyone. Many factors play into it, and it takes time to find the perfect home for yourself. You have to find a place to call home for the next four years of your life that will determine your future. I knew I wanted to find a school that could accommodate me both athletically and academically,” explained Keem. “I also knew from early on in my high school career I wanted to go to school for veterinary medicine. Finding a school with my major was tough and the window was very narrow for opportunities in veterinary medicine. Bryant happens to have a wonderful Biology Department with plenty of learning opportunities. Athletically, I was looking for a volleyball program that would welcome, challenge, and coach me the way I wanted. Bryant immediately checked all of those boxes and I couldn’t be happier knowing that Bryant is my future home.”