Athlete of the Week: Molly Archer

NORTH EASTHAM – The setter in volleyball is like the quarterback in football — the critical, pivotal cog in the operation of a team’s offense.

That’s why Nauset volleyball head coach Sunny Tyndall was excited and eager to see the progress of senior Molly Archer, the Warriors’ setter this upcoming season. 

“She runs the plays,” Tyndall said. “She makes a lot of the decisions. She keeps people in check, makes sure we're in rotation, and so it's really good to see her progress, not only physically and with her skills, but also mentally, making smarter calls and leading the team as a whole, like doing a really, really great job leading.”

Archer worked hard in the offseason, playing club volleyball, attending clinics, doing strength training and conditioning and running. She also made sure teammates stayed connected, according to Tyndall.  

That all came after a junior year in which Archer wasn’t even a starter, a season that “started off strong” for her but one in which Tyndall saw Archer “back off a little bit,” which was natural since she was a substitute player. The responsibilities as a setter and leader are “definitely new to this year,” Tyndall said.

“I think she really has taken the lead more this season, and it's showing on the court and off the court as well,” Tyndall said.

That leadership, not only as a setter but as a senior teammate, is sure to be critical for Nauset this fall, as Archer is one of three seniors on a team that graduated seven seniors from last year.