Collegiate high school student lands spot on Greek national volleyball team

St. Petersburg College’s St. Petersburg Collegiate High School North Pinellas sophomore, Maris Marko, is taking her volleyball career to the international stage, recently completing a 10-day training camp with the Under-18 Greece Women’s National Team.

Maris, who has played volleyball for only three years, traveled to Thessaloniki, Greece to train for the upcoming summer European qualifiers. She is scheduled to return to Greece in June for another 10-day session as the team prepares for the European finals, where they will face elite programs from Italy, Turkey and Poland.

To compete for the national team, Maris navigated the process of obtaining her Greek citizenship, a move she said honors her family roots and her home in Tarpon Springs.

“Volleyball means so much to me because of the team unity of girls in the sport,” Maris said. “It’s like a group of friends cheering, socializing and competing at high levels with one another.”

The international invitation highlights a rapid ascent for the local student-athlete. At home, Maris competes for OTVA Volleyball Academy and was recently selected for the Under Armour Next camp, a premier player showcase scheduled for June in Orlando.

The U18 training camp serves as a potential first step toward the Olympics. Competing in the European circuit places Maris among the world’s most elite programs, including teams from Germany, France and the Netherlands.

While Maris aims to play Division I college volleyball, her performance has already garnered significant attention. She has received invitations to more than a dozen D1 prospect camps as she prepares for the next level of competition.

Representing Greece in international competition feels like a natural extension of her upbringing in Tarpon Springs, a city known for its deep Greek heritage.

“Maris is very proud of her Greek heritage,” her family said in a statement. “We feel it’s natural to represent Greece in international competitions.”

 

One of three collegiate high schools at St. Petersburg College, SPCHS-NP offers students the opportunity to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and associate’s degree.

Visit the high school website to learn more.