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Photo by Bob Pennell Senior Maren Zielony, left, and her sister, junior Kristen, are prime reasons for St. Mary's volleyball success. Crusaders' sister act a big hit Zielony sister Maren and Kristen have helped the Crusaders volleyball team climb to a No. 2 ranking in the state By KRIS HENRY As with any family, there is often a source of tension between siblings. The Zielony family is no different. Maren Zielony cannot understand younger sister Kristen's habit of singing to herself. Very softly, as if mumbling to herself, Kristen happily goes about her melodic way. On the flip side, Kristen suggests Maren couldn't carry a note with a pickup truck. Your basic sibling squabbles, where no real harm is intended and no outsider is allowed to tread. For two animated girls like the Zielonys, there isn't much that can take the smiles away from their faces. That's evident when the dynamic duo step on the volleyball court as the guiding force for second-ranked St. Mary's High. "I think they might be better sisters on the court than off it," Crusader coach James Joy says. Both girls agree, although their relationship off the court carries a strong bond of friendship and admiration. "We get along -- more or less," 17-year-old Maren says, laughing. "Even if we're mad off the court, we're fine on the court. It doesn't matter." "We don't usually get really mad at each other," adds Kristen, a 5-foot-7 junior. "It's only little stuff. We just get annoyed at each other. We're fine when we play." That doesn't mean a terse word or two won't be exchanged in the heat of battle. Each is very passionate about winning and neither is willing to settle for less. Kristen, 16, admits to yelling at Maren a little too much on the court. Maren admits to not listening to her younger sister anyway. And so goes the stable relationship that has helped the Crusaders to a 20-3 record so far this season. "It's way easier for me to criticize Kristen and yell at her than it is for me to do that with anybody else," says Maren, a 5-6 senior. "We expect a lot out of each other because a lot is expected out of us." Those expectations stem from years of excellence on the court. Maren and Kristen are in their third season together on the varsity squad at St. Mary's and stand to advance to the playoffs for the third straight year. "Both of them are so smart in terms of volleyball," Joy says. "I feel like they're extensions of exactly what I want on the court. They're like coaches on the floor. I think that's one of the more valuable things they bring to the table." Other valuable traits are the girls' intensity when it comes to winning and their comical personalities that can brighten the darkest of moods. "They're really passionate about that state championship," says Joy. "They're willing to work and lead everyone else to achieve that. "They also relate really well as teammates but don't necessarily hang out very much as teammates. They have other friends on the team and kind of separate themselves and bring everyone's spirits up." In truth, the only thing that can bring those spirits down besides a loss is the absence of a Zielony. Maren and Kristen both admit to having more confidence when the other is on the court. Having at least one Zielony on the court hasn't been a problem the past few seasons and doesn't stand to be a problem in the future. Two years ago, Maren and Kristen were joined by older sister Amanda on the court at St. Mary's. Younger sister Kathryn is waiting in the wings as an eighth-grader, possibly supplying the Crusaders with a third pairing of Zielony girls next season. For now, Maren and Kristen will settle for a victory each night out, and a chance to extend their relationship on the volleyball court. "I'm used to having a sister out there on the court, and when she wasn't there it was just weird," Kristen says, referring to an injured Maren earlier this season. "I didn't feel at home as much as I usually do. It's just not the same when she's not on the court." Maren echoes that sentiment, and with good reason. Each complements the other's game. Kristen supplies the immovable force at the net, while Maren glides over the court for precision passes and clutch kills. "She makes me look good," Kristen says of Maren. They, in turn, make the Crusaders look good. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.