Lower Merion’s Claire Hamilton is Main Line Athlete of the Week (Nov. 14-20)

The Lower Merion High School girls’ volleyball team achieved their best-ever finish in the PIAA postseason this fall, finishing third in the District 1 4A tournament and advancing to the PIAA 4A state quarterfinals. One big reason for the Aces’ high level of success was 5-foot-10 senior outside hitter Claire Hamilton.

The Lower Merion senior captain featured a strong all-around game for the Aces (21-5), with 374 kills, 231 digs and a school-record 89 aces.

“Claire is not just a powerful hitting threat, but she has become dominant in the back row and has developed one of the strongest serves in the area,” said Lower Merion girls’ volleyball head coach Lauren Perri. “She’s a great team leader that can always keep the team laughing and the energy positive.”

Hamilton, who recently was named to the first team All-Central League squad for the second year in a row, was a first team All-District 1 4A pick and an all-state selection last year.

“I especially enjoyed our team’s celebration this month after our opening state playoff win,” said Hamilton.

That victory was a 3-0 win at District 2 champion Delaware Valley Nov. 9, as the Aces posted scores of 25-12, 25-19 and 25-23. Hamilton led the way for Lower Merion with 10 kills, six aces and seven digs.

“I am honored to be a part of a team that has worked all season long to get to this point,” said Hamilton a few days before the Aces’ state quarterfinal. “Seeing our improvement firsthand has given me the motivation to work hard going into club season (with Synergy) and continue to better myself as I prepare to play at the collegiate level (at Denison University).”

 

Hamilton finished this season second on the school’s career kills list with 828, and set the LM girls record for kills in a match with 29 against Haverford on Oct. 20.

Hamilton began her volleyball career in fifth grade when her older sister Marie (Lower Merion Class of 2017) was playing for the varsity Aces. Marie went on to play middle hitter for Cabrini University, and now coaches the Lower Merion boys’ volleyball varsity team as well as the LM junior varsity girls’ volleyball squad.

“I loved watching Marie’s games and playing casual volleyball in the yard with both of my sisters,” said Claire. “They convinced me to go to an LM open gym when I was in 5th grade and I immediately loved every aspect of the game.

“Marie has become one of my biggest mentors and has pushed me to be my best self throughout my entire volleyball career. She has taught me to persevere and stay positive on and off the court.”

Hamilton began to play club volleyball, where she was coached by Perri.

“Little did I know that Lauren would be one of my biggest mentors for the next seven years,” said Hamilton. “She has taught me to be a smart player, making deliberate decisions and quick plays.”

As a Synergy player, Hamilton particularly enjoyed her experience on the 17 National 1s team last year.

“It was great playing with many new faces, making best friends and getting to see our immense improvement as a team throughout the whole year,” said Hamilton.

This fall, led by Hamilton, the Aces posted a 17-3 regular season record and went into the District 1 4A tournament seeded fifth. In the third-place District 1 4A contest, Lower Merion defeated No. 2 seed Plymouth-Whitemarsh, 3-1.

Hamilton is currently working most on her court awareness.

“Being mindful of what’s going on from both sides of the court, especially as a hitter, allows me to make smart plays and see the game from a new perspective,” said Hamilton. “I am working on making smart decisions and bettering the ball whether that’s from a first, second, or third contact ball.”

As an Aces’ captain, she views her leadership role mostly as a communicator.

“Making sure the team is on the same page in all aspects of the game and staying positive has been a goal of mine all season,” said Hamilton.

One ritual of Hamilton’s pre-game preparation for Lower Merion volleyball contests is dancing to the song Hotel Room Service with her teammates.

“Our team also does a ‘mindfulness minute’ before each and every game, where we all take a silent minute in a huddle and think about our goals for the game,” said Hamilton. “We end it with a big cheer and go on to do our warm ups.”

Hamilton wears uniform jersey No. 12 for Lower Merion, a number she chose because December is her favorite month.

Off the court, Hamilton’s favorite academic course at Lower Merion is AP Biology. She hopes to major in the sciences at Denison and continue into the health care field after college.

 

Fun facts – Claire Hamilton

Favorite book: Everyday by David Levithan.

Favorite author: Colleen Hoover.

Favorite TV show: New Girl.

Favorite movie: The Visit.

Favorite athlete: Jennie Finch.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Icy Girl.

Favorite team: Phillies.

Favorite place to visit: Jupiter, Fla.

Favorite pre-game meal: Harvest Bowl from Sweetgreen.

Person I most admire, and why: “My grandma because she has watched every one of my games live on YouTube this season.”

Family members: parents Hugh and Krista, sisters Marie and Anne.

 

(To be selected as Main Line Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his or her coach.)