Playing a key role off the bench a season ago, Marist’s Ariella Link waited patiently.
She listened to star senior libero Elayna Davidson. She listened to coach Jordan Vidovic and his staff.
And Link went to work. Her time would come.
Now a senior captain for the RedHawks, Link continued her strong play to the early season, finishing with 14 digs and four assists on Sept. 1 as host Marist defeated St. Laurence 25-13, 25-11 in a GCAC Red matchup.
“It’s awesome. This is something I was looking forward to in the offseason coming into the season,” Link said. “It didn’t come from luck and praying. I was working hard, going to the gym every day. I knew what was coming, so I pushed for that.”
Seniors Maggie Kurpeikis (13 kills, six digs) and Taylor Berg (six kills, five digs), sophomore Haven Enselman (26 assists, five digs) and junior Sommer Shaw (five kills, two blocks) also contributed.
Marist joined the GCAC this year after the East Suburban Catholic Conference disbanded at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
Last season, Link played a supporting role off the bench behind Davidson (Maryland) and Elise Bocanegra (Loyola Maryland).
Following in a long line of standout liberos for Marist, Link can’t wait to make her impact felt in the back row.
“It’s definitely a big role,” Link said. “You have to be a leader, to step up and have a voice on the team. I’m very good at taking that role. I learned that last year even watching. I took it on this year. It’s a good pressure (to step up).”
Against a St. Laurence squad with some heavy hitters, Link and the defense didn’t allow the Vikings to get into rhythm offensively, keeping one ball alive after another.
Link’s mindset is to be as vocal and talkative as possible.
“It’s talking through plays,” Link said. “If it’s not going at me, keep talking and move toward the girls. You call things out. My voice has become a big part of the team. It’s grown from last year to this year.”
Vidovic said he loves Link’s abilities as a player and leader.
“Her teammates see what Ariella brings to the table,” Vidovic said. “It goes back to the summer and things she’s done to show what this means to her. It’s being comfortable in your game. Her game will continue to get more comfortable. She’ll be more and more of a playmaker as we go along.”
Link said she set for a season when she played her 11U year but other than that, it’s defense all the way.
“I love playing defense. It’s so fun,” Link said. “You’re getting these hard balls driven at you. You do whatever to get the balls back up.”
Juniors Abby Ambrose (four kills) and Clancey Bowen (three kills, two blocks) and freshman Julia O’Keefe (12 assists) led St. Laurence.