Marblehead senior Jenny Norcross is the reigning Northeastern Conference MVP. File Photo
By Katie Morrison
MARBLEHEAD — Last year as a junior, Marblehead’s Jenny Norcross made the volleyball world take notice.
Norcross earned Northeastern Conference MVP honors after helping the Magicians volleyball team reach the Division 2 North semifinals. She led the team with 191 kills and a .321 hitting percentage, and was the No. 15-ranked player in the state after her junior season.
After Marblehead was swept by Arlington Catholic last November to end the season, Norcross spent the winter and spring training at the Avidity Volleyball Club, which was started by Marblehead coach Killeen Miller.
Playing club volleyball gave Norcross a chance to compete with some of the best players in New England.
“She played with some of the top kids in area from all around,” Miller said. “She really stepped up as one of the main go-to players, a major player that was constantly looked to to come up big. She learned how to be a player who wants the ball and knows she can take care of the ball. She’s always been like that, but she’s getting a new confidence.”
Norcross said playing at Avidity allowed her to improve her own game.
“It helps a ton,” she said. “It also shows you a side of volleyball that’s so much more competitive than the NEC. It makes you so much better.”
Miller said Norcross’ natural athletic ability was apparent from the moment she joined the Marblehead High program as a freshman. But things really clicked for Norcross last season.
“She’s so strong physically, but it takes time to learn the game,” Miller said. “(Last year), she relied more on her intelligence of the game and not just athleticism, and shined as a go-to player. I think it was a confidence builder for her to play with the club this past season…she showed herself she can hang with anyone.”
Miller and Norcross hope the experience gained this offseason will pay dividends when the 2016 season starts. Miller said she sees big improvements in Norcross’ game already.
“I think she’s improved tremendously. She’s challenged herself to be a smarter player and to understand the game better,” she said. “I think she’s in for a great year. She’s looking strong, she’s focused hard and mentally, she’s a more prepared and thoughtful player.”
The Magicians lost a large group of players from last year’s team, and enter this fall having to rely on younger players. Miller said she expects Norcross and her other seniors to step into a leadership roles this season.
“I think she wants that role,” she said of Norcross. “There’s a lot of responsibility there. It’s a balancing act. Jenny will have to step up to the plate and realize it’s a veteran group, but they can’t play every game and every set, and they’ll have to rely on the people around them.”
Norcross said communication is an important factor for any successful volleyball team, and it’s something that always needs work.
“It’s so influential in volleyball,” Norcross said, acknowledging that she’s going to need to lead by example this year. “The difference between communication and none is basically win or lose. If we can do that a lot this year, we should be unstoppable.”
Miller knows that Norcross can thrive in a leadership role.
“She’s a super competitor. She’ll crush the ball as hard as she can every day,” she said. “She’s worked so hard to gain the confidence, but I want to see how she can bring out that confidence in other players as well. She commands a lot of respect on the court, and I want to see her share the wealth.”
Norcross says she hopes the team can return to the tournament and beyond the D2 North semifinal this season. But she’s also looking ahead to the future and playing beyond high school.
During Avidity’s season, Norcross got plenty of college exposure and attended college clinics. The senior has narrowed her list to Division 3 schools, hoping to strike a balance between school and volleyball.
“I don’t want to dedicate my entire life to (volleyball),” she said. “I’m trying to get a good education and have fun, and of course play volleyball because it’s what I love to do.”