Overshadowed? "A Lion Never Roars After a Kill" - Rachel Johnson

On every exceptional team, excellent players get overshadowed by superstar players.

Tom Brady earned the most credit, but would not have won early championships without Ty Law, Willie Mcginest, Tedy Bruschi, and Mike Vrabel.

The 2012 MVB State Title team had four players who ultimately earned an All-State recognition (Brooke Bell, Sarah McGowan, Jill MacInnes, Allie Nolan) and others who were among the best in their MVB roles (Jen Cain, Amanda Commito, Rachel Johnson, and Kayla Wyland). 

MVB 25 will be remembered foremost for the excellence of Sabine Wenzel and the setting of Sadie Smith. But that overshadows the contributions of the rest of the youngest varsity team in MVB history (five freshmen and five sophomores) and the work of five other upperclassmen. 

Coach Scott Celli identified MH Rachel Johnson as a future impact player when she was a freshman. Her athleticism, length, and timing helped her become one of the best MVB blockers ever.

She averaged 150 kills/season during her MVB career and helped deliver three sectional titles, two Finals appearances, and a State Championship. She saved her best for last with eight kills in the semifinal sweep of Canton and a dozen kills in the Finals win over Longmeadow. She and Kayla Wyland formed "The Great Wall," the best blocking pair in MVB history. 

She performed consistently at a high level, allowing her performance to do the talking. As legendary Carolina Coach Dean Smith said, "A lion never roars after a kill."