Taking It to the Next Level

There is some good news going on in the volleyball world. While some arenas of the sport are stuck in a quagmire of status quo, other areas are growing and expanding. For instance, it was just announced that a new women's professional league is forming in the US. That is huge. While it has been tried before, it is fantastic that others are willing to learn from past mistakes, pick up the torch, and try anew to build a sustainable pro league. Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETnAaknmzVY

On the men's side of the net, volleyball at the collegiate level is growing in leaps and bounds. Unfortunately, at the current time, the grow seems to be contained to Division II and III schools. But who is complaining. The growth of the sport is what causes the quality of play to increase as well as opening up opportunities to more qualified athletes.

At Elder, some of our players are beginning to take advantage of those opportunities. While a number of our former players have gone on to play club at a number of colleges (U.C., Bowling Green, U.D., Ohio University, I.U., Miami, etc.), very few have made the jump to an organized collegiate program. Other than current varsity assistant coach, Mike Wauligman ('00), no other former players come to mind. That is, until 2009.

In April of 2009, Clancy Gay ('09) committed to play for Pfeiffer University's inaugural men's volleyball team. Clancy was a starting outside hitter for the 2008 state championship team and the 2009 state runner-up team.

As a member of Pfeiffer's Men's Volleyball team, Clancy has already worked his way into the starting line-up and is currently tied for the team lead in kills.

Another volleying panther making the leap to the next level in 2010-11 will be Elder senior Matt Harpenau ('10). As a starting middle hitter on last year's squad, Matt had significant offensive and defensive contributions. He was third on the team in kills, second on the team in blocks, and first on the team in aces. At 6'8, Matt received a lot of looks from Division I and II programs. Ultimately, Matt has orally committed to Lees-McCrae College in North Carolina. Lees-McCrae is an established Division II men's program and is a part of the newly formed Conference Carolinas league.

#10 - Matt Harpenau

Finally, there has been growth in collegiate men's volleyball right in "our own backyard." Mount Saint Joseph is currently in the midst of their inaugural men's season. The team boasts two Elder alumni in Kyle Smith ('08) and Jon Grote ('07). While experiencing some early growing pains, it is uplifting to see some additional collegiate volleyball so close to home.

Who knows what other exciting developments the future might bring for the sport of volleyball. Regardless, it is exciting to see more and more of our players taking advantage of opportunities to play at the next level.

Pre-Season Work in Full Swing

The end of exams and start of the third quarter always brings excitement to the third floor of Elder High School.

At Elder, we are very blessed to have an excellent weight training staff and facility at our disposal. Some guys who haven't been involved in fall or winter sports have been doing off-season conditioning and lifting since the last ball fell to the ground in the 2009 state tournament. However, once mid-January rolls around, a more formal conditioning regiment begins with me, Coach Tierney.

We are now two weeks into our pre-season team conditioning and I have been very pleased with what I am seeing thus far. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday students interested in being a part of the 2010 volleyball program meet on the third floor of the main building to shed some sweat and flab, and build a little strength, agility, and endurance. After 2:30, lockers slamming and students shuffling through the halls are replaced by athletes jumping, sprinting, shuffling, and bounding. Since this is not mandatory, I usually see a fluxuation of participation throughout the weeks. However, so far, I have noticed that the guys have been very faithful and motivated during the pre-season.

The past few years have brought great success for our volleyball program: 2007 - state runner-up, 2008 - state champions, 2009 - state runner-up. During this period, and especially last season, I have concluded that the reason for that success has been the dedication of the players to work hard day in and day out. I recently read a quote from a NCAA basketball coach who talked about the importance of a player's practice attitude. Coach Brannen said, "Players have to think, 'What can I get out of practice', and not, 'How can I get through practice.'" Members of our recent teams have displayed the former attitude each day. In my mind, this desire to improve each day has been the most significant factor to our success.

Throughout the current school year, I have observed a core group of players who have the same fire and same determination to improve. They have maintained a consistent presence and work ethic in the weightroom that has been noticeable. The seniors and a nice group of freshmen have been the most impressive. If this dedication and motivation continues throughout the spring, I am confident we will see another successful season for all levels in the Elder Volleyball program.

Until we hit the courts in March, we'll be sweating and dodging lockers on the third floor.