Triple the trouble, triple the talent: Summit’s Ultimate Frisbee triplets
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Thing 1, Thing 2, Thing 3 - well, that's what's on the back of their jerseys, at least - and it's something opponents wish not to see.
At Summit High School, three familiar faces dominate the Ultimate Frisbee field, and not just because they share a last name. Maya, Danika and Taylor Melner aren’t just standout players - they’re triplets. And for years, they’ve been making magic together with their unmatched chemistry and relentless drive.
"We have our numbers one, two, three thing - Thing One, Thing Two, Thing Three," Maya Melner said. "And we have this bond, that we always know where we are on the field. And it's really comforting to know that we're playing with each other."
Now in their senior year, the sisters are preparing for their third trip to the national stage, a goal that once felt far out of reach.
Taylor Melner said, "Starting eighth grade, we never have a chance. But then, slowly seeing this team kind of put it together and perform, I'm excited to see what we could do on the national stage," Taylor added.
The road to nationals hasn’t always been paved with wins.
Danika Melner said, "Our first year here, we went up to Seattle. We lost all eight games, by a lot. And so it just shows the growth of us being here and the growth of our teammates, since the first year of us playing."
For head coach Emelie McKain, coaching the Melner sisters has been a uniquely enjoyable experience.
"It's pretty fun, going up to a game when the opponent is like, 'I thought I just saw that girl,' and it's one of the triplets. They're similar looking, and it's always a fun dynamic with them and opponents," McKain said.
All three sisters are committed to playing Ultimate Frisbee in college — no surprise, considering the sport is practically a lifestyle for them.
"We usually have one or two Frisbees in the car at all times," Danika said. "It's here at this park (Riverbend) in the summer, we always have a Frisbee, and we're just always sunbathing. Then there's multiple people - when you have a Frisbee, a bunch of people come up to you, and you play all the time. It's super-fun!"
Their on-field connection borders on telepathy.
"Sometimes, we just run it. Go there, I go there, you pass and we go all the way up to the goal," said Taylor.
And when the game ends, the competition continues - in everything.
"I mean, if we're thinking of recently, I was going to the dentist appointment, and I asked who had better teeth, because they got Danika earlier," Maya laughed. "It's literally anything's like, oh you played better. Who had less turnovers? Even who's a better driver. It makes it fun and exciting!"
Three sisters. One team. A connection that goes beyond sport.
"This is really just to prove, we are Summit Ultimate," Danika said. "A couple years ago, we weren't even ranked. And then now we're actually national-level team. And just want to show we are an actual competitive team, and that we are here to play."
It’s triple the talent, triple the passion, and one unstoppable bond.
