The crowd roars as the team steps on to the court, players are jumping, high fiving, and grinning from ear to ear. The bond across the roster is strong, but two players stand out even more. Seniors Raegan and Madi Miles – known to most, simply, as “the twins” – share a connection that began long before they stepped on the court.
The first time they played side by side was in fourth grade. At nine years old, Raegan and Madi had discovered a new way to grow their relationship – through volleyball. For Madi, her mom originally got her daughters into volleyball. Starting out with a rec league before moving to club teams, and eventually high school, Raegan and Madi have always played on the same team.
“[Volleyball] really brought us closer together,” Madi said. “It really taught us how to work together.”
Both sisters agree their bond gives them an advantage to the team’s aspect. They understand each other’s style of play which can be critical in high pressure moments. On an emotional level, they often know what the other is feeling without needing to say a word.
“We can support each other without voicing it” Raegan said.
Still, playing as “the twins” has not always been simple. Sometimes the two-feel defined more by their shared identity than their individual personalities.
“People see us as twins first, over individuals” Raegan said.
Inside the team, though, that is not the case. Madi shared that her coach and teammates see her as more than just “one of the twins”. She feels recognized for who she is both as a player and person.
“We have very different personalities,” Raegan Miles said. “We both bring different aspects to the team.”
During their years on club teams, and even now in high school both athletes have gotten used to the fact that they will inevitably be compared to one another. The girls said this brought a more competitive side to them on the court as they are constantly competing with one another. However, this competitiveness to them is just part of the game.
“We don’t let it get to us,” Raegan said. “We don’t have any hurt feelings off the court.”
At home, their relationship is not much different. Volleyball often dominates most conversations, but they describe their bond as more like close friends who play together.
“You’re around everyone so often,” Raegan said. “With any teammate, you know what happens on and off the court.”
Both Raegan and Madi made it clear that success looks different in each individual player. For them their relationship with each other and their family comes before anything else. The most important thing to both girls is having support from their parents and two younger sisters.
Whether the crowd sees them as ‘the twins’ or as individual athletes, Raegan and Madi have built a bond on and off the court that sets them apart – and keeps them grounded in what matters most.
“As long as we have our family, then we’re happy.” Raegan said.
