Super League preview round 17 - Palatinates' Stanton enjoying North East life on and off the court

Not only has the talented setter stayed on with the Palatinates for a second season – having helped the team to a third Super League title in a row in her first – but she has also begun a career working in a school in the local area. 

Having encountered some tough times playing at the University of Albany, Melea has thrived in her new environment and come to love her surroundings in the process – both on and off the court. 

For her, the Durham experience has not been the ephemeral one of many other US scholars, but, instead, one that has made a lasting impact. 

“I had positives and negatives from my time at the University of Albany, but I didn’t have a super-healthy relationship by the end of my senior year and playing became a bit of a chore,” said Malea. 

“Going to Durham gave the opportunity to fix that. Being in an environment at Durham where I was surrounded by some amazing players and genuine people gave me that love for the sport back. 

“Playing volleyball for Durham is an extra aspect to my life I enjoy. It’s something that, when I step into the gym or onto court, allows me to escape from everyday life and any troubles I might have. 

“One thing that is great is that now I have finished my Masters is that I don’t have to go home and study after matches anymore! It feels more relaxed. 

“It’s not on my radar to go pro. I always knew I wanted to have a career outside of sport and have always had a strong interest in psychology and justice. 

“It’s great I have been able to stay in England because there is not the same eligibility restruictions as some other countries. 

“My life is still in the North East and I didn’t want to go straight back to the US, especially as I am still in my early 20s and at an age when I can try anything. 

“I’m pleased to be staying in the North East because it is a great community up here.”

Growing up in Culver City, within the metropolitan sprawl of Los Angeles and close to the Pacific coast, Malea’s parents were always keen for her to have a sporting interest alongside her studies. 

Although she also played football, she eventually came to the decision to focus on her volleyball and has never regretted that decision, ‘falling in love with it so quickly’. 

Having played beach as well as indoor in her youth, she eventually settled on the latter and prospered at High School to earn a place at the University of Albany. 

There, she played in Division One of the NCAA Championships and was driven by a strong work ethic that has served her well ever since. 

Malea said: “It seems so long ago now that I started playing! I was introduced to the sport when I was nine or 10. My parents were keen for me to be involved in school and at summer camps, so it’s always been a huge part of my life. 

“Once I started playing volleyball, I feel in love with it so quickly. It got to the point where I had to choose between football and volleyball and the schedule worked better with volleyball and was going to be the best for me. 

“I started with indoor but ended up doing both – beach and indoor. I looked at college both in terms of beach and indoor but decided to go for indoor. I love playing beach just as much, but it’s now more a pick-up game for me. 

“I don’t play in competitions now, but I just like to go to the beach and play with whoever is there. I went to Spain last year and I was playing with locals on the beach as well as other tourists. 

“I think my experiences and coaching at high school prepared me well for playing at a high level."

“We trained for long hours on the court and did rigorous work-outs in the gym that set me up for what was to come.”

For Malea, her ongoing education has always gone hand in hand with her playing and been an equally important focus. 

After securing an undergraduate degree in the US in Psychology and Criminal Justice, her further studies this side of the Atlantic have paved the way for her working with children with Special Educational Needs. 

It is something she is extremely passionate about having herself been diagnosed with ADHD during her childhood. 

“At Durham, I have studied how a child goes through life and how they grow up coping with things such as ADHD, autism and dyslexia,” said Malea. 

“I have ADHD myself and I wanted to learn more about myself and how to take better care of myself, and others as well. 

“I graduated in January so I was keen to start my career and that’s when I got the job in the school I work for. 

“It’s hard work, but very rewarding. I didn’t get much support going through my education, so now I want to help others.” 

On the court, Malea has enjoyed her 2024-25 season just as much as her title-winning one in 2023-24, even though the Palatinates’ fortunes have contrasted greatly. 

Coming in as champions, this time, the university side have found themselves –  unexpectedly given their past exploits – embroiled in a battle at the wrong end of the table. 

Going into their last game of the regular season against Leeds Gorse, there is a strong possibility that, with the MAAREE Women’s Super League going down to eight teams from 10 next season, they could find themselves in the relegation/promotion play-off against the team who finished second in NVL Division One. 

They currently occupy seventh and are on the same points as Darkstar Derbyshire, who are above them and in the safe zone thanks to a slightly superior set quotient. 

It means the Palatinates have to try win as convincingly as possible and hope that their East Midlands rivals fall by the wayside against Final 4-bound Malory Eagles and already-relegated University of Nottingham in their last two games. 

Malea remains phlegmatic about the situation and retains belief that her team can retain their top-flight status, whether it is by finishing sixth or by going through the post-season play-off route. 

She said: “I wasn’t going to play this season at first, just go along to practice to keep in shape. But three months into the season they kept asking me if I would play and I really enjoyed being part of it with the girls and my body is not completely finished yet! 

“I expected it to be different this season because Durham is probably the only team that has a complete restart every season. 

“In that situation, you can’t always have the same results because you have players who have a different set of experiences, playing skills and volleyball IQs. 

“I’m enjoying this year. I think the entire league has stepped up and there are talented players throughout every team, which has made the league more exciting and competitive. 

“At Durham we meet for the first time in September and we have to find that focus and blend very quickly and figure things out as we go, so it’s not easy. 

“We have the mentality to end on a positive note. We will just go out and play our best, play to win, and see what happens. 

“Leeds are a really good team as they have shown this season, but we have beaten them before and we just want to have fun and try to give ourselves a chance. 

“It’s still open (as to what will happen) and it’s been an exciting year. I am confident in the ability of my teammates that we can go out and get the job done, even if we have to go into a play-off.” 

Regardless of what lies ahead, Malea hopes to be around for whatever comes next for the Palatinates. 

“I’m pretty sure I will be around in the area again next year and will probably want to be out on the court,” she said. 

“Volleyball has given me so many different experiences and skills and the chance to meet some fantastic people, including so many across the Volleyball England community. 

“It has given me my best friends and part of my identity – and that’s hard to give up.” 

Durham images by Nathaniel Macrae and Richard Beales.

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