Constantly inspiring others and supporting players on the court with her positive attitude, meet the girls’ volleyball team captain and libero, junior Isabelle “Izzy” Macasero.
During a challenging season this year, standout Macasero showed her endless enthusiasm for her team, regardless of the game turnout. Macasero, better known to teammates as “Mac” always found a way to uplift her peers and persevere no matter what.
“The team here is really special to me because most of my friends are on this team,” Macasero said. “It’s just fun getting to play the sport that I love and they love, playing it all together.”
After playing as the libero on varsity since her freshman year, Macasero built confidence in herself on the court. When she plays, she defends the entire back row, which requires great leadership, according to head coach Eric Graham.
“The libero is a position in which people look to a lot,” Graham said. “They wear different colored jerseys. They have a responsibility in the back row that not a lot of other players could handle, that she can.”
As one of the team’s most valuable players, Macasero is very well-rounded. Liberos tend to be shorter, to maintain agility; Macasero is an excellent example of quickly moving around and diving for balls on the court, according to Graham.
“She’s always in a positive mood, and she knows how to motivate people on the team,” teammate and junior Sarah Kigesa said. “She’s very determined, and she’ll always make an effort to get to the ball.”
As the team looks to her to inspire them throughout the game, Macasero finds herself looking towards them as her motivation. Being able to get along and have a good bond with a team is paramount, especially on the court.
“My favorite part of the sport is playing with different players and meeting new people,” Macasero said. “I like getting better at the sport and seeing how these people around me grow with me.”
Getting players’ heads in the game can be difficult at times, but Macasero’s overwhelming positive presence on and off the court influences others to follow suit, according to Kigesa.
“Between the three different captains, they all play a different part, and I think Izzy’s role is to try to focus on the mentality,” Kigesa said. “She always knows how to cheer up the team.”
Not only is Macasero spirited, but she is also reliable. She knows where to be, when to be there and what to do, all at the right moments.
“People know when the ball comes to Mac, she’s going to do her job,” Graham said.
