Lady Warhawk volleyball sending two to Point University

Veterans High volleyball coach Nicole Miranda welcomed family and players to the school on Thursday to commemorate two Lady Warhawks who will join the Point University program in West Point. These players represent both the attacking and the defending side of the court, libero Cameron Roby and hitter Madi Purse.

Roby was a four-year player for Miranda on all of the Area championship clubs.

“When she first got here, I think got her to say maybe one word,” said Miranda. “By her sophomore year we’re up to two words. She’s just quiet and reserved. I always say methodical and poised, very calm. But this past year she really came out of her shell and became a quiet assassin on the back row.

“Her passing technique is textbook. She spent a lot of time before her senior year improving all areas of her game. She became one of our strongest servers. Her back row attack was pretty lethal too.

“She wanted to make sure she delivered that ball right where it needed to be. She covered the back corners beautifully, made some fantastic hustle plays.”

Roby for her career had 392 defensive digs, 270 coming this past fall to set a school record. She hit 132 service aces and scored 38 kills.

“I’m a little nervous, but I think I’ll be fine,” said Roby about the upcoming transition in her life and athletic career. “I’ll be real happy there. I think they will help me grow and learn as a player, be a lot better defensively. I have room to grow.”

While Roby is undecided on her course of studies at Point, she said she is looking at science and technology fields.

Also joining the Skyhawks is Purse, who received a full academic scholarship to Point.

“I know Point is getting two phenomenal athletes who love volleyball,” said Miranda. “Madi has been with us for four years. Another extremely hard-nosed competitor. Madi was willing to sacrifice whatever it took on the floor. I felt like she played better when the stakes were the highest. I looked to her a lot this year when I needed to make a play.

“She was very coachable if her swing wasn’t going. She was able to use her hands and place the ball where it needed to be. Loved to be challenged.

“I needed an outside this year, so she happily moved to outside. Very consistent, studied the game and used her strengths to gain an advantage.”

Miranda even recalled when Purse, early in the season, suffered a wrist fracture as a result of her aggressive play. Purse continued to play with a splint for two to three weeks and score points.

For her Veterans career, Purse had 325 kills, 42 blocks, 44 service aces, 21 assists and 110 defensive digs.

“Ever since I started volleyball, I knew I wanted to play at a high level,” she said, adding that the high level of education she’s built for herself opened up this opportunity. “I will value being able to play on a very successful team … and just playing on a team that’s like a family. Coach Miranda treats us like her own children.”

Purse plans to major in physical therapy and sports medicine.

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