Monticello's USA program gains teams, experience


Bronwyn Hodge makes a serve for the Monticello 14-and-under volleyball team in tournament action Feb. 17 in Monticello. (Photos by Pete Temple)

Emma Porter of the Monticello 12-and-under USA Volleyball team sets the ball during a home tournament in February.
VOLLEYBALL
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Sports Editor

     Several Monticello teams, over the years, have taken part in the USA Volleyball program as a way for athletes to hone their skills in preparation for the fall high school season.

     This year, there were more teams than ever before. Five Monticello squads took to the court for the season, which began with signups in November and played into March.

     Monticello’s USA Volleyball program began in 2006 and ran sporadically through 2010, but has had teams every year since. It plays until the umbrella of Springville’s program for league purposes, but mostly runs on its own.

     Under club director Kris Kremer, the teams have gained valuable experience while picking up some big wins as well.

     “It teaches them offensive and defensive strategies that will help them during their school season,” said Stacie Breitbach, who coached the 13-and-under team. “We also work on fine-tuning their skills and teaching them to have a purpose with the ball and where they are on the court.”

     Nicole Monck, head coach of the 16-and-under team, agreed: “They are able to continue playing and learning during their off season, and there’s a possibility you may play with girls that you don’t play with during the school season, which will help them grow as players.”

     Kim McQuillen, head coach of the 12-and-under team, listed the benefits as “being able to play high level teams and advancing their knowledge of the game, and learning to trust each other and to communicate on the court.”

     The 12-and-under team had perhaps the most on-court success of the Monticello teams. That squad won the Monticello tournament, took second in the Springville league, and was second in the Epworth and Center Point-Urbana tournaments. Jami Schlarmann has served as a volunteer coach for the team.

     “The girls transitioned into running an offense this year with set positions and defensive position,” McQuillen said. “They also were working on serving the ball to different areas of the court, and not just to get it over the net.”

     Monck coached the 16-and-under Monticello team, assisted by Alecia Klein. She said the team had its ups and downs while playing in five tournaments.

     “They won some and lost some,” Monck said. “Our biggest successes were the skills the girls improved on throughout the season. They grew as a team, and I see a very bright future for all of these girls.”

     Jessica Hansen and Kayla Sperfslage co-coached the under-14 team, which played in five tournaments.

     “We won some sets during pool play, and we did win our first matches in bracket play in a few tournaments,” Hansen said. “It was fun to see the girls get excited about that.”

     Hansen said her team also improved its skills.

     “We had girls that practiced in one position, but in a game situation we would put them in a difference position, and they stepped up to the challenge and played wherever we would tell them to,” coach Hansen said. “It was also fun to see them dig up a spike from the other team, get an ace serve, or get a bump, set or spike.

     “In this program, we played some very good teams. Hopefully seeing some of these good teams shows the girls what kind of volleyball players they can become if they continue to work on it. We definitely had a great, fun group of girls with a lot of potential.”

     The 13-and-under team played in six tournaments. Its best finish was a second place in Anamosa, but the team also won consolation bracket championships at Tipton and Maquoketa Valley.

     “As the season went on, they became more confident in where to go on offense and defense,” Breitbach said. “We also served more aggressively.”

     There was also a 17-and-under team, coached by Ashley Kremer. Information and a team photo were unavailable at press time, but will be published when they become available.

     

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