In their early years, Natalie Martinez was a hitter and her sister, Aubrey, was a libero.
But their paths changed and crisscrossed, and now, Natalie is a senior libero for St. Laurence and Aubrey is a sophomore outside hitter.
“I started as a hitter and stopped growing,” said Natalie, who added that she’s 5-foot-5 in her shoes. “So, my club (1st Alliance) made me a libero.”
“I was a libero and grew,” said Aubrey, who is 5-8. “I became a hitter.”
Both got their first opportunity to play on the same team last season when Aubrey made the varsity as a freshman. Both are back this year, helping the Vikings to get going in a red-hot start.
On Wednesday night, St. Laurence rolled past Marian Catholic 25-10, 25-7 in a nonconference match in Burbank.
Aubrey Martinez joined Green Bay recruit Kayla Birmingham in leading St. Laurence (7-1) with six kills apiece. Maeve McNamara added four kills and Natalie Martinez managed four digs. Senior setter Vianne Villa also had 16 assists and three aces against Marian (0-3).
The Vikings’ lone loss so far is a 25-21, 25-19 decision to Class 4A powerhouse Mother McAuley at last weekend’s Metea Valley-Owego East Tournament.
The Martinez sisters provide a literal one-two punch as Aubrey wears No. 1 and Natalie No. 2. Vikings coach Ellen Yopchick is happy to have both of them punching on the same roster.
“They are an interesting combination,” Yopchick said. “It’s really been fun to coach them as they are two totally different kids with different personalities.
“The one thing they have in common is they are gym rats. They love to get better. They are involved in a lot of the same plays, and it’s fun to see them out there working together.”
The sisters weren’t sure they would be able to play together last season but things fell into place.
“Another outside hitter left, and we were hoping it would happen, and it did,” Natalie said. “We’re forever grateful to be able to play two years.”
Aubrey said she enjoys having her sister there for guidance.
“She is probably the best leader I have ever had,” Aubrey said of Natalie. “She cheers me on and helps me switch up different things and tells me what to do.
“She treats me like a teammate and not just a sister. She helps me get better, even at home and not just in the gym.”
Natalie said she helps Aubrey by urging her to do her homework and extra volleyball drills in their new home in Lemont after a move from Chicago’s Garfield Ridge neighborhood last year.
Natalie said Aubrey has been a valuable player for the Vikings, even at a young age. As a freshman, Aubrey totaled 247 kills, 188 digs, 40 aces and 22 blocks.
“She does everything,” Natalie said of Aubrey. “She’s always cheering and is always there for her teammates. We play our best when we are happy and cheering each other.”
Natalie is still deciding on a college, but the Milwaukee School of Engineering could be a destination for her.
Like her playing career as a hitter-turned-libero, her college plans took a U-turn when she switched her interest in a major.
“I changed two months ago from business to construction management so I’m very limited,” she said of college choices. “It’s quite a big drop of what’s available. There are not many schools that offer construction management.”
What will life be like when the sisters separate?
“To be honest, I don’t really know,” Natalie said “I try not to think about it. We just want to get through what we’re doing in the present.
“I think I’m kind of going to be sad. I’ll miss her.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
