THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 8, 2023 Page 13 New Sachems Volleyball Head Coach excited about school’s passion for sport By Dom Nicastro As we dive into the takeA s the saying goes, Mikayla Niles bleeds Saugus High School red and white. She was a standout three-sport athlete for the Sachems, part of the highly successful basketball program under Mark Schruender. Last year, she served as head coach of the junior varsity girls volleyball team and takes over this year as head coach of the varsity team. And there is a lot of reason for optimism as Niles takes her team into action for its first match Wednesday, Sept. 6, on the road at Marblehead. It travels to Salem Tuesday, Sept. 12, for a 5:45 p.m. matchup then opens up the home schedule Thursday, Sept. 14 against Beverly (5:30 p.m.). From record turnouts to the rise of promising stars, the narrative for this team weaves a tale of passion, dedication and the relentless pursuit of excellence. aways from an interview with Niles, we uncover the layers of commitment, growth and ambition that define the Saugus volleyball team. For starters, the volleyball program at Saugus is experiencing a resurgence in interest. This year marked a significant milestone with an unprecedented number of girls in recent memory trying out for the team. The increased participation is a testament to the growing enthusiasm and passion for the sport within the school community. Niles had nearly 60 try out, and it was the first year that the program had to make cuts. Volleyball’s rising popularity at Saugus High is evident not just in the numbers but in the overall energy and commitment of the players. Coach Niles recognizes this momentum and aspires to expand the program further. She envisions organizing camps and other initiatives to engage younger students, ensuring the sport’s continued growth in the coming years. “The program’s getting stronger and stronger and more people interested,” Niles said. “I definitely want to branch off do some camps and stuff like that for younger kids. It’s starting to become popular.” Coach Niles has a deep-rooted connection with Saugus High School, having been a former student and athlete herself. Transitioning from a player to a coach has allowed her to relive cherished memories and give back to the community that supported her during her formative years. Her close age to the players fosters a unique bond, blending the roles of a mentor and a friend. She graduated in 2016. “You know, you just kind of get to relive those memories from high school,” Niles said. “... It’s just a good feeling to give back to your community after all that they’ve done for you throughout the years.” The team boasts a mix of seasoned seniors (about 10) and promising newcomers. It has about five underclassmen. Seniors Ava Rogers (returning captain), Ashleigh Moore and Ana Silva serve as captains. The team’s leadership structure is a blend of coaching decisions and team input. Rogers, a senior, and Ava Freethy, a freshman, are showing some early-season prowess thus far. Their dedication and skillset are second to none, and Coach Niles anticipates bright futures for them in the sport. “I definitely see Ava Rogers having the potential to go really, really far in the sport,” said Niles, who serves as a US Post Office letter carrier for her day job. “I mean, all my girls have so many strong suits to them. Ava’s one who I definitely see has a drive and the heart for the sport. Ava Freethy … she’s going to be such a good dynamite all-star player for Saugus.” The team boasts several other standout players, each bringing unique strengths to the court. Among them, Aly Mabee, a sophomore, stands out as a hustler and a key setter for the team. Her agility and determination make her a vital asset. “Aly is my setter, and she’s got that hustle and athleticism and determination to her,” Niles said. “She’s all over the court. She’s just a hustler; everyone has one on their team.” Ultimately, Saugus wants to get into the postseason, a feat the program has never achieved, according to Niles. This ambition serves as a significant motivator for the team. “We have never made it to the tournament since the program started, so that’s something we’re really trying to focus on,” Niles said. “They really have the drive to be the first ones to do it.” Saugus remembers its “9/11” victims on 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America N early 22 years have passed since American Airlines Flight 11 – one of four commercial airliners hijacked that day – became the first to hit its target, crashing into the World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan. A monument on the Hamilton Street side of Saugus Town Hall forever links the community to the national tragedy of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which claimed close to 3,000 lives that day. Two former Saugus residents were among the victims who were killed 22 years ago Monday (Sept. 11) in the event also known as 9/11. The monument, which is inscribed with the date and “God Bless America” pays tribute to Gertrude “Trudi” Alagero and David DiMeglio, who were among the victims in New York City during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center Towers. KILLED AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER: Gertrude M. “Trudi” Alagero, 37, a 1982 Saugus High School graduate, was a senior vice president and practice leader for Marsh Private Client Services, a division of Marsh & McLennan. Alagero was working out of an office on the 94th floor of the North David DiMeglio was on board American Airlines Flight 11 when hijackers flew it into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Tower at World Trade Center (also known as Tower 1). At 8:46 a.m. on Sept. 11, hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into the northern facade of the North Tower. Marsh & McLennan had more than 800 working on floors 93 through 100 – the part of the building that was in the flight path of the first hijacked airliner to crash into the World Trade Center Towers. More than 350 Marsh & McLennan workers – including Alagero – perished in the attack. KILLED IN PLANE CRASH: David DiMeglio, a former Saugus resident, then 22, Gertrude “Trudi” Alagero was on the 94th floor of the North Tower at the World Trade Center when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the building. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) was living in Wakefield and was among the 81 passengers on American Flight 11 that was commandeered by five al-Qaida terrorists and flown into the World Trade Center’s North Tower shortly before 9 a.m. on Sept. 11. He was headed west to help his mother move. He had completed computer school and had planned to start a business in computer services. A small group of town leaders and citizens are expected to gather for a low key observance at the town’s Central Fire Station at 8:46 a.m. on Monday (Sept. 11) – the same TWO FORMER SAUGUS RESIDENTS WHO PERISHED: A monument on the Hamilton Street side of Saugus Town Hall pays tribute to Gertrude “Trudi” Alagero and David DiMeglio, who were among the 2,753 victims in New York City during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center Towers. See inside for story and related photos. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) time that fire departments across the nation will mark the significance of a sad day in American history – when Alagero and DiMeglio were among those who perished at the World Trade Center. THE DEATH TOLL: The actual number of people who died in the terrorist attacks involving four hijacked jets might never be known. But officials estimate close to 3,000. They say 2,753 people – including 343 firefighters – died at the World Trade Center. United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower 16 minutes after American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower. Another 184 were killed when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon near Washington, D.C. And 40 people perished when passengers on board United Airlines Flight 93 fought to take control of the jet that was headed toward the capital, forcing hijackers to crash it in a field outside Shanksville, Pa.
14 Publizr Home