Quaker Valley extended its proficiency in sports all the way to New England this season to the small town of Middlebury, Vt., site of Middlebury College.

Quaker Valley graduate Molly MacDonald finished her freshman season on the Middlebury women’s volleyball team ranked among the team leaders in kills (third) and points (fifth).

MacDonald is a 5-foot-10 middle hitter for the Panthers and a Sewickley resident.

“Molly is a great addition to our team and program, and we are loving having her here with us,” Middlebury coach Sarah Raunecker said. “Molly had a great first season with us. She was one of our main (outside hitters) this year and really was pretty consistent for us, hitting .170 and getting almost two kills per set — our top OH.”

Raunecker is a 1992 Middlebury graduate who serves as the director of physical education at the college. She joined the volleyball staff in 1994 as an assistant before taking over as head coach a year later.

“Molly has improved a lot and really has a high ceiling and a lot of potential,” Raunecker said. “She has a good vertical, and as we work to improve her blocking and approach footwork and arm swing, I really think she could be a very good conference player.”

MacDonald racked up season-high totals of 11 kills and 12 points Nov. 1 against Hamilton, along with two blocks.

She also recorded nine kills and one block in her team’s quarterfinal loss to Williams in the conference tournament.

“Molly’s athleticism is her greatest strength,” Raunecker said. “We’re working with her to read the set and the court a little better, but she has the physical skills to be a very good player, which is very exciting.

“I really enjoyed working with Molly this year. She takes feedback well and has a tremendous work ethic. She was always asking to come in and get extra reps, was consistent in the weight room and had a smile on her face every day. She’s a joy to coach, and we’re thrilled to have her here at (Middlebury) with us.”

Middlebury was awaiting its NCAA Tournament fate when the full field was released Nov. 16.

The team’s outlook for next season appears promising, as the Panthers have a solid group of players returning. There are three seniors and 13 underclassmen on the 2025 team, including four juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen.

“I have high expectations for Molly next season,” Raunecker said. “We’ll get 10 days this spring to continue working on some of the things we want to fine-tune with her, and I have no doubt that she’ll put the work in over the summer to be better when the season starts next fall.”

The Middlebury coaches recruit nationally. The women’s volleyball program is comprised of athletes ranging from Connecticut to Colorado to California. The states of Ohio, New York, Minnesota, Kansas and Texas also were represented, as was British Columbia.

MacDonald is one of only two players from Pennsylvania on the 2025 squad.

She was a four-year starter at Quaker Valley, including 2024 when the Quakers won the first WPIAL girls volleyball title in school history.

“I really wanted to go to a NESCAC school,” said MacDonald after committing to Middlebury. “My brother and sister both competed or are competing in the NESCAC, which made me want to go to an NESCAC school even more.

“I also loved the location and the outdoors aspect of Middlebury. I went on a visit and fell in love with it. The campus is beautiful, and I really loved the coach.”

Mike Vavrek has been in charge of the QV girls volleyball program for 15 seasons. He was able to watch MacDonald resolutely develop her game.

“Molly’s strength is her knowledge of the game,” Vavrek said. “She is a very smart volleyball player. That also carries over to her academics, as she is a very bright student.

“Molly has a ton of volleyball experience and has really worked on her game, not just in the high school season but playing club volleyball, as well as taking private lessons at times. Molly is a very dominant outside hitter.”

Jim Davis, who owns New Balance, graduated from Middlebury and is a financial backer for the school. There is a golf course and ski resort on campus.

ESCAC members are located in Northeast United States and, along with Middlebury, consist of Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Connecticut, Hamilton, Tufts, Trinity, Wesleyan and Williams.

Middlebury competes in the NCAA Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference and is considered one of the top programs in New England.

The Panthers have qualified for every NESCAC Tournament since its existence and have captured six conference titles. Middlebury advanced to the NCAA Tournament on seven occasions, most recently in 2024, and was also selected to play in three ECAC Tournaments.

The Panthers have 10 seasons with 20 or more wins, including a program-high 26 during the 1997 season.

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