Maille Ianniruberto is one of the five senior captains on the Woodland Regional High
School’s Volleyball Team.

Ianniruberto started her volleyball journey when she turned 14. She started playing
competitively on a team as she transitioned into her high school years and ended up joining the
girls team at Woodland. She has continued working and improving her game each step of the
way through high school.

Whether it be offseason training, or just being with the team to help build chemistry, she
is always looking to improve her skills and game. Ianniruberto believes that a solid role model is
the key to her ability this season. This has created winning habits for her and has made her much
better as a person and a teammate.

“My grandmother, just who she is as a person, is really inspiring to me. She’s very kind
and down to earth with everyone; she is just a great soul,” said Ianniruberto. She tries to be more
like her everyday. This gives her a reason to be a better person.

Ianniruberto wasn’t always strictly a volleyball player. She contributed her position on
the girls basketball team back in her freshman year. Ianniruberto noticed a change in her attitude, teamwork, and friends, on the different courts. When the decision came down to volleyball or
basketball, Ianniruberto had no hesitation to go for what she loves.

“The sportsmanship was a big factor in deciding. People are so much more like, not, like
friendlier, but the chemistry between people in volleyball is just a better feeling. I like the feel of
that more compared to basketball.”

Knowing that this volleyball season may be her last, Ianniruberto strives for the best this
season as a captain with the goal of possibly leading her team to victory in the NVLs. She sees
each game as a sentimental event that she does not want to end. Ianniruberto has high hopes for
her team and all the new players, stating that she makes sure they will be comfortable on their
own without a team leader.

“They’re doing pretty well already. From what I have seen. I haven’t gotten to really see
them play yet but I think they are going to do really well,” said Ianniruberto. She wishes that
every player finds the same love for the sport that she has.

After high school, Ianniruberto plans to go to a traditional college and hopefully carry out
her leadership skills and achievements to the next level.