McKibbins star together

We’ve seen great sibling athletes before: the Mortons (Johnnie and Chad), the McKeevers (Marlin and Mike), the Boones (Bret and Aaron), the Floreses (Ron and Randy) and the Jensens (Luke and Murphy).

Making their case for a spot on this list are senior Riley and sophomore Maddison McKibbin, two brothers on the undefeated USC men’s volleyball team.

Hailing from Honolulu, Hawaii, the brothers have seen each other grow and develop in the sport since they first touched a volleyball.

“We’ve come a long way from playing in the backyard,” Riley said. “It’s kind of funny that we’re both playing together again.”

Volleyball doesn’t often get the acclaim of football, baseball or even tennis.

But if it did, the McKibbin brothers would be a superstar duo.

The McKibbins play two different positions — Riley is a setter, Maddison is a hitter.

They don’t look alike, either.

Riley has a mop of dark brown hair reminiscent of John Travolta in Grease, while Maddison sports a cropped blond ‘do that is consummate Wall Street.

Their approaches to the sport are distinct as well.

“Riley comes in just doing his thing, and Maddison wants to know why he’s doing [certain] things,” said USC assistant strength coach Brent Metz.

Still, despite their differences, the brothers add a special dynamic to the court.

“It does bring this cohesiveness,” said USC coach Bill Ferguson. “Not only are you teammates, but you’re a third of the six guys out there.”

A perfect assist by one McKibbin creates the perfect kill for the other.

“I try to take as much pressure off our hitters, including Maddison — actually sometimes especially Maddison,” Riley said. “I don’t want him to look bad and I want him to play well.”

It’s family instinct.

That’s not to say they aren’t competitive.

“Sometimes he’s hard to play with,” Maddison said. “I’m sure I’d feel the same way that every time he sets me, he kind of cringes and hopes I put it away.”

Four other brother duos have been a part of USC volleyball history. Curt and Kent Caldwell were on the same team in 1972, Bryan and Pat Ivie in 1991, Beau and Omar Rawi in 1999 and J.T. and Marcus Gilmour in 2002.

What makes the McKibbins different is their opportunity to excel together.

USC was 3-7 overall in 1972, Bryan was the much better Ivie and Marcus Gilmour was plagued with a knee injury for most of his college career.

Riley and Maddison seem to resemble the Rawis pair most, except that Beau and Omar Rawi were both hitters.

Instead, the McKibbins share the limelight with their collaborative highlights.

“Volleyball is such a sport where you really have to rely on the other people around you to make plays for you,” said senior opposite hitter Murphy Troy. “When you’re that close to someone like they are, they can count on each other to make plays.”

It’s simply the connection they have.

Both graduated from Punahou High, where Maddison and Riley won six total state championships, two of which they won together in 2006.

Maddison made the Junior Olympics All-Tourney teams three consecutive years, from 2006-2008.

Riley won a gold medal at the AAU Junior National Beach Volleyball Championships in 2007.

Last year alone, Maddison made the 2010 MPSF All-Freshman team and Riley made the MPSF All-Academic.

Maddison called his brother the team’s silent leader.

“I just try to be as supportive as I can,” Riley said.

Riley, however, was anything but silent when praising his younger sibling.

“He’s come a long way,” the senior McKibbin said. “He’s grown up so much, he wasn’t always as confident and aggressive as he is on the court.”

Riley and Maddison aren’t the only McKibbins to leave their mark in USC volleyball history.

The duo’s uncle, Owen, lettered at USC, and their aunt, Claudia, was a part of the Women of Troy’s national championship run in 1980.

“Sharing the court, playing with a sibling is something very few people get to do and it makes the experience all that much better,” Maddison said.

Supportive, competitive and combative, the McKibbin brothers have helped the Trojans to a 6-0 start this season.

Must be that brotherly love.