MHS graduate thinking repeat
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Marcia Voigt knew what it was like to get over the hump at Montgomery High School, where she helped the Cougar girls basketball team to unprecedented success.
The school’s all-time leading scorer is enjoying the days after being part of history at the next level. The sophomore guard helped the Amherst College women’s basketball team to its first Division III national championship to cap a 32-1 season.
”It’s an amazing feeling,” said Voigt of the 64-55 win over Washington University in Saint Louis on Saturday. “Pretty much right after the game, everyone was getting emails, text messages, phone calls. When we got back to campus, all our friends were hyped. It was great to see all the campus support and celebrate with everyone.”
It had been Washington that had stood in the way of even a national championship game appearance in each of the previous two seasons. While Voigt was wrapping up her career at MHS, Amherst lost in the semifinals to Washington. Then last year, Washington again topped Amherst in the semifinals, in the process snapping their 31-game winning streak. The third time was a charm.
”This year, we came with a lot of fire and we wanted it so badly,” Voigt said. “Last year, we didn’t have seniors. This year, we did. The whole time, they kept saying, I’m not leaving without a national championship. They really brought us through the tournament and led us to the championship.”
Voigt did not play in the title game after appearing in all 32 of the Lord Jeffs games this season, including their semifinal win over Christopher Newport on Friday. She made 12 starts and averaged more than 15 minutes per game. Voigt averaged 5.9 points per game and delivered 59 assists and 33 steals. She made 33 3-pointers this season.
”Last year, it was definitely a change of scenery with a faster paced game,” Voigt said. “It took me a while to adapt to the coaching style my coach has. I felt like I fell into my role and his style pretty easily.
”This year, I was coming back and knowing what he expected and needed of me. It was nice when we were introducing new plays, I knew where to go. I wasn’t running around in circles. It was great to be able to come back and see everyone and welcome some new people onto the team.”
The closeness of the team is what Voigt credits for its success. With the full team back, plus some solid additions, the Lord Jeffs had all the makings of a champion. It’s just what Voigt was looking for when she chose where to continue her career.
”I’m fortunate to be at a great school and play for a great team,” Voigt said. “The bond we have on and off the court is great. We just love being together and playing on the court. That’s why you play. It’s kind of crazy how close we are as a team. We’re each other’s best friends.”
They pulled together to get to the final, which had consistently been the toughest task for them. The Lord Jeffs never had reached a championship game in program history. Once there, they made sure the first time counted.
”We had so much energy and so much passion to win that game,” Voigt said. “When we were watching the game after us the day before, we said, we don’t care who we’re going to play because we’re going to take the championship home. To play Wash. U. and take the championship home was nice because they beat us before.”
It was difficult for anyone to find a way to beat Amherst. Their lone loss came in a rescheduled game against Kean University, about the closest that Voigt comes to playing at home. Amherst won its last 19 games to complete a goal it set for itself last year.
”Last year, our consolation game was the start of this year’s season for us,” Voigt said. “We’ve been looking forward to this last chance since we were getting on the plane last year.
”We kept talking about it. We’d say, we need this game to make it to the final four. It got to the point where our coach was saying, ‘We need to not talk about the tournament. We’re getting so hyped so far away.’ This was definitely the big goal of the season. We were all excited about it. We were trying to control our season as it was progressing in order to get there.”
Win or lose, Amherst had already set a pretty high standard. They are just the fourth team in NCAA history with back-to-back 30-win seasons. The Lord Jeffs aren’t content to stop there, and Voigt is intent on working to continue to contribute as a junior.
”It’s exciting,” she said. “I feel like we have the drive to try to defend the title. I’ve had a stake in the team since last year. We all have the same goal and the same drive. I don’t think it really changes that much. I may have more of a leadership role in terms of when the incoming freshmen are here, helping them out. The team dynamic is great and everyone has a vital role. I feel like our season is starting again right now.”
First there will be some celebrating, some intramural softball and the chance to raise a banner after a long trip to the top. For Amherst, it started with a tough loss last year in the semifinals, which spurred Voigt and the Lord Jeffs on to this year’s success.
”On one of my recruiting trips,” Voigt recalled, “my coach said, ‘I want to win a national championship in your four years.’ I was thinking, why don’t we win a couple?
”We didn’t win last year. I think that gave us some more fire. Hopefully we can defend it and my senior year bring a third one home.”
Marcia Voigt made history with the Montgomery girls basketball team. She’s doing the same thing in college for Amherst, and looking for more.
”It’s a great team,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade any of them for anyone. The team dynamic, it’s unbelievable how well we get along. To come in and be able to play and contribute, it’s been great.”