Four on the Floor

Ballard, Butler, Eastern and duPont Manual--four formidable Jefferson County public schools in many ways and in many sports, but on the volleyball court they're still looking to make a name for themselves among the top teams in the state. Just read what these public school coaches have to say about closing the gap between Parochial powers Assumption, Mercy and Sacred Heart high schools—winners of the past eleven state volleyball championships (Assumption winning 10 of those)—and their own teams. Manual coach Kyle Wood: "We're getting closer every day." Ballard coach Andy Benner: "We're competing with their first teams." Eastern coach Jody Charleston: "We're stepping up our program every day to make it more competitive." Butler coach Tim Fagan: "We're taking those teams deeper into games and giving them a challenge." VYPE caught up with these four coaches and their players at the early season Shively Sporting Goods/Jefferson County Public Schools Volleyball Championship tournament. Manual won the tournament, defeating Butler in the semifinals and Ballard in the championship. Ballard defeated Eastern in the other semifinal. Manual coach Kyle Wood is in his first year with the team, but he's a veteran coach in the area. "We have a good mix of talented kids coming to the program, (kids) who are playing year-round with club teams as well those who are being developed in the Jefferson County Middle Schools." Asked to specify what he's doing to improve the competitive quality of his team, he says, "We're doing the little things to shrink that gap." "We're taking retreats, doing team-building exercises and more complex drills. We're trying to bring to our program what the Assumptions, the Mercys and Sacred Hearts have done to be so successful." Wood cites those solid, team-building strategies and sees their benefit for his team. "These activities and experiences make our team better, more cohesive and more competitive." Wood's talented, left outside hitter Deja McClendon, a 6'0" junior, knows what it will take to win. "We can't beat those top teams on technique alone. We have to be mentally tough and in top condition to do that. We're a tight-knit group and we're developing our team chemistry in every practice and in every game. The bottom line is that we have to want it more--to win more for each other than just for ourselves." Eastern assistant coach and alumna Angela Stivers has a different tactic. "We're using our smarts and playing with heart. For us, ball placement is important. We're using our hitters to place the ball in specific areas to take advantage of our team strengths, which are a scrappy defense and a never-quit attitude." One of those scrappy players is senior libero, Caitlin Durbin. "We have to pick up everything the front line can't get," she says. "Our team spirit is so much improved since my freshman year. I know my team. I trust my team. And we all believe we can get to the state tournament." Jody Charleston is making sure her Eastern team is prepared for all types of competition. "We had more than 50 girls try out this year, so that's a bonus to us talent-wise. But most importantly, we've upgraded our schedule considerably, which only helps us for district and regional games." Andy Benner, in his seventh season at Ballard, likes what he sees from the local pool of talent, "There are so many girls playing club volleyball and who have the desire to get better. That only benefits the local schools and the profile of volleyball in the state." One player who has benefitted from club ball is Ballard's senior middle blocker, Lauren Kamas. "Playing club ball and playing year-round make a huge difference. The exposure to different coaches, players and situations is invaluable for our team. Really though, our success can be attributed to the girls who played ahead of us and set the tone and leadership for our program." Tim Fagan is in his ninth year as coach at Butler, coming back this year after a five-year hiatus. "We've come a long, long way since I started coaching at Butler in 1995. We stress to the kids that they need to play club ball to take our team to the next level, and to take their talent to the next level. You never know if a college coach is watching you and a scholarship to play college ball is a huge thing for these girls." Another club team veteran is Butler's senior captain, right-side hitter Brooke Porter. "Club ball gives you leadership, experience and a chance to always be practicing and playing," she says. "And that's important when you're trying to improve a program." The formula is there for these teams to close the gap and be more competitive with the "Big Three." The coaches know it. The players know it. More importantly, the coaches and players all believe it can be done. With an influx of talent, a commitment to year-round play and strong coaching, these teams are prepared to break through with a milestone win over one of the powerhouses. While a state championship may not come for one of these schools this year, it won't be too long before it happens. Where there was once no glimmer of hope to defeat the "Big Three," that big gap is definitely shrinking.