After playing a pivotal role for the Londonderry High girls’ volleyball squad this fall, senior standout Madison Milton had her efforts recognized recently when she was named a Division I Second-Team All-Stater by the state’s girls’ volleyball coaches.
The talented 12th grader wound up leading first-year coach Dave Starin’s LHS contingent with 226 kills and 54 service aces, and she was second among the Lady Lancers with 167 digs.
“As with any player, the biggest worry I had for Madison heading into the season was risk of injury,” said Starin. “I made it a point of emphasis to get the team in the weight room this season to make sure we were properly conditioned. And with the assistance of our athletic training staff, we were able to successfully meet that objective.”
Milton’s strong play throughout the 2014 campaign drew the attention of some collegiate coaches as well as Granite State mentors. And that may figure in her choice of a college.
“She was looking to stay within New England and major in criminal justice. I have had a few coaches contact me, and we are in the early stages of evaluating the options available to her,” said Starin.
Milton and her LHS teammates began the 2014 regular season in rough shape, dropping their first three decisions. But she and the Lady Lancers won three of their next four matches.
The all-stater and her fellow Lady Lancers suffered through a four-match losing skid between Sept. 27 and Oct. 8, but righted themselves enough to win three of their final five matches of the campaign and wind up as the number 14 seed in the D-I tournament.
Milton and her teammates then had their 2014 campaign ended earlier than they would have liked by the third-ranked Nashua North Lady Titans in a first-round tourney match in the Gate City.