O'Neill Sisters Bring A Sense of Family to Saints' Volleyball Team

Dec. 10, 2007

Stephanie O'Neill '10 knew she wanted to play volleyball in college. Her older sister Ashley knew of a great place where she could fit in.

Having spent nearly their whole lives doing everything as a pair, whether it was volleyball, softball or dancing together on competitive teams, it just seemed right that when it came time for the younger O'Neill to decide on a school that the Tyngsboro, MA natives join forces again. This time as teammates on the Emmanuel College women's volleyball team.

For Stephanie, the decision certainly wasn't a hard one. Having had the opportunity to visit her sister on campus during Ashley's first two years at the College, she already felt at ease with the thought of being an Emmanuel student.

"It was always a good atmosphere, plus it was comforting to know Ashley was here," she said. "Already knowing her and her friends helped make the adaptation easier."

Although both felt as though some people were surprised when Stephanie chose to follow in her sister's footsteps and attend Emmanuel, there were simply too many positives to ignore. The bond they shared as sisters and teammates had always been an advantage throughout their days playing sports together, so why not continue that run?

"People always ask if it's strange being on the same team as my sister, but honestly I don't know anything else," said Ashley. "That's the way it has always been."

"I thought it was weird when we weren't playing together," added Stephanie. "Originally people didn't think we would go to the same school. But the more I looked into, the more Emmanuel made sense. I wanted to play volleyball and Ashley was there."

Last season, their first together in blue and white, the O'Neills were a part of a Saints' team that brought home a third-straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title. The season was highlighted by a 17-game win streak and a third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance as well.

For the O'Neills, the biggest highlight of last year was the opportunity to actually be on the court working together, an uncommon occurrence in the past considering they grew up playing the same position. As middle hitters at Notre Dame Academy, the sisters would find themselves on different rotations. Since Stephanie volunteered to shift to the outside, however, they have been able to enjoy more time together during game action.

"She's very well-rounded now," first-year Head Coach Denitra Seals said of Stephanie. "She's also playing a bit different role this year as well. After she spent the off-season practicing setting, we thought she would be more beneficial to the team playing on the right side. The more she is playing, the more confidence she is getting, which helps a lot especially moving forward."

Although so far this season the Saints have gotten off to a slow start, one of the things Seals believes will help the team down the stretch is the experience of the veteran players - who know what it takes to achieve postseason success. Knowing she has two hard-working returning players in the O'Neills has certainly been beneficial as well.

"They are both a pleasure to coach and are always willing to try new things," she said. "It's helpful that I don't need to worry about them."

Ashley, one of the team's tri-captains this season, describes her sister as someone who can make "anyone laugh." As a player, she appreciates what Stephanie brings to the table, knowing when to be serious and when not, and finding ways to help the team as much as she can. With that said, it also doesn't stop Ashley from playing up the role of big sister on the court either.

"I'm harder on her than anyone else," she said. "But it's because I know she can handle it."

"We're competitive with each other," chimed in Stephanie. "We try to bring the best out of each other."

"And it's good that we both push each other," said Ashley. "I think it is something that the team feeds off of."

One of the greatest strengths Coach Seals feels the O'Neills bring to the squad is their "individuality," as they both have their separate lives away from the court. Having played with a set of twins during her college days that spent all their time together, she feels Ashley and Stephanie are able to better enjoy their experience and appreciate it even more.

While being able to share their special memories playing a sport they both love has been the O'Neills' favorite part of playing volleyball together, it has also been an especially great run for their parents as well.

"They love it," said Ashley. "They are at every game, even the far away ones. When we do overnight trips, they do overnight trips. They love that we are playing together."

With Ashley's final season as a collegiate player beginning to wind down, her focus has already started to shift towards her future after volleyball. Having just recently taking the LSATs a few weeks ago, she has begun exploring law schools for next year with the hope of staying in Boston. Although she is dismayed at the thought of ending her tenure with the Saints, she finds solace in knowing she will be able to come back and cheer on her younger sister.

"It is sad," she said. "But I will be able to watch her and the team for her final two seasons."

For Stephanie though, the thought of playing without her big sister is tough to cope with.

"I don't want to start thinking about it yet," she said. "Just thinking that there isn't some other college we'll be going to so we can play together again, it just feels strange."