Meet the three pairs of sisters on the Port Huron Northern softball team

PORT HURON — Take a good look at this year's roster for the Port Huron Northern softball team. Chances are, you haven't seen one quite like it.

That's because the Huskies feature three different pairs of sisters with the Hagens (Arianna and Ellyanna), the Raymos (Madison and Marisa) and the Umbreits (Alexis and Brooklyn).

"It's unique," said Northern coach Randy Shagena, whose team is 10-8-1 overall. "I've never had three sets of sisters (on the same team). I don't think I've even had two sets. Numerous times, I've had one set … but to be honest, I don't even think about it, because they all get along so well that it's not a situation where I have to worry. They treat each other with respect and bring that family atmosphere to the team as a whole, which is a positive."

"It's very rare that anybody gets to play with their sibling," Madison Raymo said. "Let alone, to have it happen three times (with the same team). It's great to be able to play with Marisa and the other siblings. We can pump each other up and tell each other what we're doing wrong — this is half of our team right here."

Heck, this group alone represents more than half of the starting lineup. Madison patrols center field while Marisa Raymo mans the infield. When Ellyanna Hagen isn't pitching, you'll find her in the infield alongside Arianna. Finally, both Umbreits play the outfield.

"I really like playing with my sister," Brooklyn Umbreit said. "Having (a teammate) that you literally live with, it's a whole new level of support."

That experience resembles the collegiate level, where teammates double as roommates and are in constant proximity.

"At home, you always have someone there to help practice," Ellyanna Hagen said. "I feel like having a sister just helps you get better — not only as a player, but also as a person. Because there's just always someone there."

Adults are there, too, as these are still high school athletes. But the rapport between siblings can't be replicated.

"It helps a lot at home when watching film," Marisa Raymo said. "I know you have your parents at the game (and they give advice based on what they see). But it's different being on the field when you're right next to each other. (Your sister) knows what it's like and what the experience was so she can give you better feedback."

"Parental feedback isn't as sincere," Alexis Umbreit said. "I can sit at the dinner table, talk to my parents and ask, 'What do you think about this?' But with my sister, it's different. Because she can sympathize but also say, 'Don't make that mistake again.' It's brutal honesty with your sister."

As the Umbreits have found, authenticity goes a long way in athletics.

"If you're mentally stuck, playing with your sibling is great because they know you," Brooklyn Umbreit said. "They literally live with you and do everything with you. So they know how you work and how you need your support. Sometimes, when I'm mentally stuck, I don't need people to talk to me. So, Alexis will be like, 'Hey, you're fine.' And then she'll just walk away. Sometimes, that's all you need."

"(All six of us) have played together for so long," Arianna Hagen said. "It's almost like we're all sisters."

And that feeling extends beyond the group.

"They all, in a lot of ways, act like sisters to each other," Shagena said of the entire team. "If things aren't going right, everyone is there to pick each other up. And I think because of those six, and seeing it out of them, everyone else is just following their lead."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com . Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper .

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Meet the three pairs of sisters on the Port Huron Northern softball team