Heat teams learn, grow before season is cut short


Avery Jurgens receives high-fives from a Monticello Heat teammate during a February USA Volleyball tournament at Monticello High School. (Photo by Pete Temple)

The Monticello Heat 15-and-under USA Volleyball team, first row from left: Bella Mullen, Mia Jaeger, Olivia Zimmerman, and Nora Sperfslage. Second row: Jackie Stadtmueller, Marisa Grant, Aleasha Schilling, Serena Brokaw, Madison Butterworth, and Reagan Schneiter. Not pictured are coaches Chris Brokaw and Kayla Sperfslage. (Photo submitted)
VOLLEYBALL
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Sports Editor

     Several dozen girls of varying ages and abilities participated in Monticello’s winter volleyball program again this season.

     The season was cut short due to the COVID-19 virus spread, but the Monticello Heat teams got plenty of match experience before things were called off in mid-March.

     The program was divided into two factions: the USA Volleyball Monticello Heat teams and the Monti Heat league teams.

USA Volleyball

     There were five Monticello Heat teams in the USA program, ranging from 11-and-under to 15-and-under. Each team had nine to 12 players.

     The teams played in a Springville league and various weekend tournaments.

     “USA Club volleyball allows the girls interested in volleyball to play competitively in the off-season, improve their skills, and help our school team stay competitive,” said Kris Kremer, who directs the USA program for Monticello.”

     Kayla Sperfslage was one of the coaches for the freshman (15-and-under) team, assisting Chris Brokaw. The team played in five tournaments. The season highlight, Sperfslage said, was beating Cascade and Anamosa to win the Silver Bracket in Lisbon.

     “In a game against a very good club team in Marion, we were down 23-13 and came back to win it,” Sperfslage said. “They definitely showed that when they were communicating on the court and having each others’ backs, they were a tough team to beat.”

     The 14-and-under team, coached by Kim McQuillen, had a very successful campaign, finishing second overall in the Springville league, going 4-1 in Monticello’s home tournament in January, and going 3-1 in tournaments in Manchester and Marion.

     Sophie Hodge coached the 12-and-under team, with Tony Butterworth serving as a facilitator.

     “We finished roughly .500 on the year, which we were pleased with in our first year in USA and with the teams we faced, many from much larger towns,” Butterworth said. “It was really fun to see the girls progress from the beginning of Berndes Center volleyball last fall through the end of the tournament season.”

League

     In addition to the USA program, there were five teams that participated in a Monticello Heat league that played in tournaments at various sites, directed by Kylie Nagel.

     “Unfortunately our season got cut short, but we had three great tournaments,” Nagel said. “The kids were really starting to get the hang of making three hits and setting up the ball. Hopefully we can keep developing the skills.”

     Tiffany Olson, who co-coached the grade 7-8 team and also coached one of the fifth-grade teams, said it’s a step up for the girls to play with referees, line judges and basic high school rules.

     “Our main focus for all of the girls is the basics of the game,” Olson said. “How and where to move, pass, set and hit; and some strategies to improve on working as a team. I set team goals at the beginning of each week and watched these girls repeatedly blow them out of the water.”

     The other fifth-grade team also didn’t keep track of its season record.

     “The highlights were the girls learning about the game and playing as a team,” coach Jonnie Breashears said. “Our goal was to have the girls work on getting three hits. They have really improved on this.”

     The sixth-grade team played in just three tournaments due to the shortened season, with eight total matches, posting a 5-3 record.

     “I think the thing my girls have improved most on is cheering on their teammates and being good sports,” coach Brooke Holub said. “This skill is one of the most important things to learn when you play any sport.”

     Jessica McElmeel coached the fourth-grade Heat team with Laura Shover. It was the first year for this team, which played nine total games in each tournament.

     “I think this league really helps the girls understand the game,” McElmeel said, “plus Kylie Nagel was at every practice helping each girl with the proper technique for each skill used in the game. I think serving was the skill that the girls improved most on.”

 

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