Playing in someone’s shadow is never easy, especially when that person is your sibling.

For junior setter Katie Maher, having her older sister Ashley, a former Division III All-American setter and St. Thomas 2012 alumna, pave a path to success in the St. Thomas volleyball program set the standard of achievement nearly out of reach.

Even though Ashley Maher received numerous honors and led the nation in number of assists (1,463) her senior year, Katie Maher achieved her own accomplishment: helping the Tommies win a national championship.

The St. Thomas volleyball team defeated heavily-favored Calvin College in a five-set thriller on Nov. 17 in Holland, Mich., to clinch the program’s first NCAA title, with Katie Maher playing a significant role in the team’s success.

Katie Maher said winning a national title is something she’s always hoped for.

“It’s absolutely surreal,” Katie Maher said. “It’s what every little girl dreams of starting out with volleyball.”

Alongside the program’s first national title, Katie brought the team to the best record in Division III (40-1).

Ashley Maher said her younger sister’s hard work and consistency attributed to her success as a leader this season.

“Being such a big part of the program and being so close to the girls really allowed her to step in,” Ashley Maher said. “Having that leadership mentality coming in was beneficial for her.”

Playing with a sibling can often be complicated, but for the Mahers, it was something that helped develop a sense of community.

“Since we’re sisters, we can relate to each other a little more, whether it’s pushing each other or making fun of each other,” Katie Maher said. “It’s like our own little support system within the team.”

The Maher sisters both worked their way up through the St. Thomas volleyball program from junior varsity players to starting varsity spots with two different styles of play.

Defensive specialist Kia Johnson, who played on the team with both Ashley and Katie, said the sisters have their similarities and differences as players.

“They are very similar people, yet very different people,” Johnson said. “They are both very invested into Tommie volleyball.”

Katie said despite the fact that she and Ashley played in the same position, they were able to push one another to better themselves as athletes through healthy competition.

“Playing in the same spot as sisters obviously gets a little difficult at times because we’re so competitive,” Maher said. “With our relationship, we were able to push each other to be the best player that we could be.”

After graduating last spring, Ashley left the starting varsity setter’s spot vacant in the program, just in time for Katie to step in.

Katie said she has been able to establish herself and take on her own role in her sister’s absence.

“Since she’s been gone, it’s obviously different without her there,” Katie said. “It gives me an opportunity to not just fill in her shoes, but create some of my own.”

The Maher sisters have left an imprint on the program’s success with a combined 2,351 total assists. Coach Thanh Pham said the Mahers have been a positive addition to St. Thomas volleyball.

“Their persistence and work ethic combined with talent have lead them to some great opportunities,” Pham said. “They come from a very successful high school program and know that hard work leads to good things.”

Pham said Katie and Ashley’s hard work is visible on and off the court.

“Both have had outstanding careers and I couldn’t be more proud to have had a chance to coach both of them,” Pham said. “They are both winners and as good as they are on the court, they are better people.”

Johnson said a strong relationship between the sisters is evident.

“You can definitely see the bond between Katie and Ashley,” Johnson said. “Even after Ashley graduated, she still came to see her sister play all the time, which really shows how much they care about each other and one another’s success.”

Sean Crotty can be reached at crot0230@stthomas.edu.