It’s easy to get Madison and Madeline Feyrer-Melk mixed up. They’re twins, after all, and their names are pretty similar.

But now a third Feyrer-Melk sister, Amara, is on the scene at Fountain Hills High School and, as of late, the trio has made it more difficult than ever to figure out who is whom, with three “Feyrer-Melk” jerseys on the court at one time during varsity volleyball matches.

Sharing a love for the sport of volleyball, it should come as no surprise that the Feyrer-Melk sisters get along really well both on and off the court.

They had little trouble talking about how much they enjoy their sport of choice, finishing each other’s sentences and quickly picking up a story where the previous one left off.

When asked how she got into the sport, freshman Amara said it all started by watching her senior sisters play the game.

“I saw my sisters playing it and I knew that they really liked it, so I started playing in the sixth grade,” she said.

“I decided to try it out and I really, really, really liked it.”

Amara started out the season playing on the JV squad. When fellow Falcon Jalin Yoder suffered an injury and had to be sidelined for a few weeks, however, Coach Christie Slegers brought Amara up to play alongside her sisters.

She proved herself capable of competing at the varsity level and continues to play with the team now that Yoder has returned.

As for the older sisters, Madison said that she found volleyball by trying out loads of sports and, until she stepped onto the court, none of them really clicked with her.

“We took a summer weekend course on volleyball first,” Madeline added.

“Our dad knew we were trying to find a sport that we like and suggested that we try it out. We ended up loving it, so we kept with it.”

“I think we like it because you need to work well as a team, but you also need to focus on the individual aspects, too,” Madison continued.

“The individual needs to be able to play her position as well as work with the team.”

Madeline plays on the Falcons’ back row as a defensive specialist. Madison typically plays back row specialist, too, and occasionally libero. Amara is more of an offensive player, though, playing in the front row primarily as an outside hitter.

“It’s really cool to be on the court together,” Madison said.

“I really like how we’re all on the same team this year.”

“It’s something we never expected,” Madison added.

“I knew Amara was good at volleyball, but I don’t think any of us knew she was this good at it. It feels totally natural to have her on the team with us.”

Madeline jumped back in.

“It’s also really fun because, when Madison plays libero, then all three of us are receiving the serve at the same time, all lined up. We’re 50 percent of the court when we’re in together.”

Making up half of a volleyball team on their own, the girls are able to “bump around and play” to get in some extra practice away from the court. Madison said they also encourage each other to stay in shape and work out on the weekends.

Playing different positions, the Feyrer-Melk sisters said there’s no sibling rivalry on the court, but that their sisterly bonds help them work together better than they would, perhaps, with anyone else.

“I feel I can encourage them more and I can sense how they’re feeling,” Madeline said.

“I can sense my sisters’ emotions a lot more, so I can tell if they are getting down on themselves, or if they are angry or frustrated, and I can jump in and help pump them up.”

Amara said, “Having my sisters on varsity made the transition a lot easier, too.

“If they weren’t there, I wouldn’t have really known anyone when I came up to play varsity. Having them there helped ease me onto the team. They know me more, too, so they know my strengths and weaknesses and can help with that.”

Madison chimed in, “At this point, it would be weird to not have my sisters on the team.

“Looking back at it now, I know that my senior year would have been very different if that wasn’t the case. I can’t even imagine it that way now.”

Madison and Madeline will once again participate on the same team next spring when track season rolls around. Amara, though, plans to play basketball and said she’s trying to decide between sand volleyball and joining her sisters yet again, this time on track.

As for the seniors, both Madison and Madeline said that they are considering their college options and plan to head somewhere out of state. With three years of high school left, Amara is just focused on enjoying her stay at Fountain Hills High School.

As for the rest of the volleyball season, the girls said they’re looking forward to continuing on the court together. It might be tricky to tell them apart from time to time but, in a weird way, their family ties might actually make it easier to be an active member of the cheering section.

Simply shout “Let’s go, Feyrer-Melk!” and you’ll be rooting for three Falcons at the same time.