MacArthur senior Haley Causeman doesn’t say much, but she doesn’t have to. Her presence fills the room — and the gym — regardless.

Causeman is a student in MacArthur’s life skills program for students with autism and picked up volleyball when she entered high school. What began as an outlet to keep her days filled quickly became something much more: a source of confidence, friendship and joy.

This season, the 17-year-old earned her spot on the varsity squad after playing on the junior varsity team for three years.

“Volleyball wasn’t even on our radar,” said Dawne Causeman, Haley’s mother. “But [coach Diann Sciulla] said, ‘Listen, have her come to practice. We'll have her do drills and see what happens.’ We told her she was going to be a manager, but Haley never settles. Within a week, s

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