Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CHILLICOTHE — As soon as Makalee Miller stepped into Chillicothe’s volleyball program, she felt like a member of the Cavaliers’ family.
Since the two met, it’s been a perfect marriage. Miller has aided Chillicothe’s offense with a much-needed option on the outside and at the service line and the Cavaliers have made Miller feel right at home.
In 15 games this season, she’s flourished by posting career highs of 68 kills, 44 aces — a team-high — and 36 digs, helping her teammates piece together an 8-7 overall mark.
Those reasons, and the way she leads by example, are why she’s been selected as SOSA’s Pickaway-Ross Athlete of the Month.
“My favorite part about this team is how inclusive and uplifting the girls are, especially coming in as a transfer,” Miller said. “The program that coaches Leslie and Tara have set up is run to support every player and feels like a big family already. We mesh so well as a team by spending time together on and off the court.”
Chillicothe’s seven losses haven’t been at the hands of subpar competition, either. In fact, those opponents’ combined record is 73-26.
“This season has started slower than we wanted,” Miller said. “However, playing tougher teams has only made us better and stronger as individuals, and as a whole. We are competing in every set now.”
Indeed they are.
After a 3-7 start, Chillicothe has now won five consecutive games. Miller has been right in the thick of that win streak as she continues to sharpen her craft.
“Individually, club volleyball and lifting have helped improve my skills and make me stronger from last season,” Miller said. “Having great coaching at ALETA and going to ApPrep was really beneficial for me. I have been playing multiple positions in school and club last year and this year. So I have been working on adjusting to that and being a more flexible player.”
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
While she’s not on the volleyball court, Miller is studying at Pickaway-Ross to better her future.
“I am going to Pickaway-Ross for the cosmetology program,” Miller said. “I decided to go there because it’s always been something I’m interested in and will allow me to make money to pay for college. I think the best thing about Pickaway-Ross is that you can graduate high school with a career for free and get a head start.”
Miller’s Cavaliers are back in action on Monday evening, hosting Logan Elm in non-league play.
On Tuesday, they’re back in conference action, hosting Miami Trace in a make-or-break contest. Chillicothe sits at 4-2 in the Frontier Athletic Conference while the Panthers are 6-0.
Having said that, knocking off the defending league champion would be a huge confidence boost before the stretch run of the regular season.
Miller believes it can happen.
“We are taking this season game by game with hopes to end the season winning the FAC and making a tournament run,” Miller said. “I believe my team can accomplish this because we are all focused on reaching the same goals. Having great coaches and talented teammates will help us achieve our goals.”
SPONSORED BY PICKAWAY-ROSS CTC
