We’re proud to be a part of an ongoing partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is sponsoring our Player of the Week award. We’ll be releasing a featured vballrecruiter.com Player of the Week, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, on Tuesdays. Below is this week’s Player of the Week: Malorie Boesiger.

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There’s plenty to get to with our latest Player of the Week in Malorie Boesiger, who is a 4-star recruit from the Class of 2027 and currently in her freshman season at Norris. It’s an important week for the Titans, who are coached by Boesiger’s mom, Christina. She was the coach the last time Norris finished on top of Nebraska’s Class B state championship in 2014.

Since then, Skutt Catholic has ran off eight consecutive state titles, including beating Norris in the finals in 2020 and 2021. Boesiger and company are aiming to stop that streak. The Titans enter Wednesday’s state quarterfinals as the top seed. Norris and Skutt Catholic – the No. 3 overall seed – haven’t played this year. The state finals are set for this coming Saturday at the Devaney Center.

Boesiger – who’s taken over the setting role during her rookie campaign – is no stranger to volleyball. With her mom coaching and her older sister, Maisie, being a sophomore on Nebraska’s squad, she grew up around the sport.

“I would say I watch volleyball all the time,” Boesiger said. “I’m always watching games, whether it’s high school, college or professional. I’m always trying to get better and learn from other people.

“I grew up in the gym. My mom is a coach and my sister and I would always be playing with each other passing and setting. Volleyball has always been in my life.”

Boesiger and her older sister have a close relationship. They are both very competitive, which growing up “most of the time ended up in a fight because someone would win and someone would lose. She’s my biggest supporter. I go to her home games and she comes to watch my high school and club games whenever she can.”

Boesiger started club volleyball in first grade and has been setting since. She’s also always played up two age groups, including this past season for Nebraska One 16 Synergy as she helped guide the team to a bronze medal in 16 Open at the USAV Girls Junior Nationals Championships. She’ll be playing up two age groups once more this coming club season. But first she needs to wrap up her first high school season, one she has long anticipated.

“I was so excited to finally be in high school,” she said. “I have played with a few girls on the team because we play together in club. I was super excited. I’ve always been at practices growing up. I used to be the water girl. I was off to the side playing with my dad or other student managers so now I’m super excited to be a part of it.”

She’s having a stellar debut to date, as Norris entered the state playoffs 31-3. Boesiger is averaging 11.5 assists per set and leads the team in aces by a wide margin. She’s recorded at least 19 assists in every match so far. It includes a season-high 49 in a four-set victory over Waverly back in September. It was one of four times she’s surpassed 40 or more assists. With three more victories, she could help Norris earn back the state championship.

“I think we are one of the best passing teams in the state,” she said. “It’s super easy for me to run a fast offense. The hitters are always talking and calling for the ball. I can set whoever. I trust all my hitters. Also, we are very close and always supporting each other. We are working hard to win a state championship.”

When Boesiger isn’t immersed in volleyball she enjoys traveling with her family and learning about different cultures and surroundings. She also enjoys baking and once had a business with her sister before both became too busy to continue on with it.

“My mom’s friend lives in Colorado and she’s a pastry chef,” Boesiger said. “We went there one time and she makes these super detailed cookies and decorations. My sister and I wanted to try it so we did it for almost two years. We made cakes and cupcakes for birthdays and grad parties. We made all the desserts for my sister’s grad party.”

As our featured Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we recently spoke with Boesiger about volleyball and more.

Who is a role model or someone you look up to?

Boesiger: Inside volleyball I really look up to Lauren Carlini and Sydney Hilley. I grew up watching them all the time. They are balanced and really good leaders. Outside of volleyball I look up to my parents and my sister. They are always supporting me and care so much for me.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would you do and why?

Boesiger: I would probably take all my friends and family and go to the beach or the Amalfi coast. I always wanted to go there. It’s super pretty. I love the ocean. It’s so beautiful. I’d probably do that and play some games and get some coffee. I love coffee.

Other than volleyball, what skill would you most like to learn and why?

Boesiger: I would say gymnastics. I love watching it on TV. It’s crazy how they can do all those tricks. It’s something I would want to learn.

Do you have any volleyball superstitions and if so what?

Boesiger: At club tournaments that are three or four days, if we do well on the first day the next day if I had a certain type of food I need to pack the same type of food the next day or use the same hair tie.

Aside from necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without?

Boesiger: It would be talking to my family. I talk to them all the time. I call my sister all the time. So I would say that.

What is one thing that instantly makes your day better or makes you smile?

Boesiger: I love sunrises and sunsets. They are so beautiful. Whenever I’m coming home and I see the sunset I take a pic. On vacations, we schedule our days around the sunrise and sunsets.

What’s your favorite way to have fun?

Boesiger: Obviously, I love volleyball. I love practicing and getting better. Also, traveling and spending time with my family and friends. I love the holidays. Christmas is my favorite. I love it.

Outside of volleyball what are you most passionate about and why?

Boesiger: I’m really passionate about just being supportive and friendly to everyone. I’m encouraging to my friends and teammates and I want people to get better. I’m passionate about being a kind person. I’m also a very faithful person. I go to church on Sunday. I’m super passionate about my faith.

What is one thing that may surprise people about you?

Boesiger: I would say a lot of people would be surprised by my age. Everyone is always asking me if I’m really as young as I am because people are always saying how mature I am.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

Boesiger: It would definitely be Hawaii. The environment, it’s so pretty. The ocean is crystal clear. Everything is there – mountains, beaches. My family has been traveling there the past few years. We are going back this year because my sister is playing in a beach tournament on Waikiki beach. When we go there it’s just a blast.

Would you rather be stuck on a broken ski lift or in a broken elevator and why?

Boesiger: I would say a ski lift just because of the fresh air. I would feel claustrophobic in an elevator full of people.

What’s your favorite number and why?

Boesiger: I don’t think I have a favorite number. I’m number 19 for club and number 7 for high school, but I can’t think of a favorite number that I have.