      Over the past six years I’ve had a lot of fun coaching volleyball: school teams, being an assistant coach to club teams, and an assistant coach at the Sask Summer Games in Estevan a couple of years ago. It’s been a whirlwind, but I now have 13 seasons of coaching volleyball under my belt.
           This particular season has been quite exciting for me. It was the first season that I took on a head-coaching gig for club volleyball. I have been in that role for the past six years for at Arcola School for junior teams; but, club volleyball is a little more competitive and I had always just been content being the assistant coach in that realm.
           Heading into the season I had a vision for what I wanted to do; I’d encourage the multisport approach and attempt to make volleyball not too demanding on the kids, leave them wanting more; but, showing them skills, encouraging them in competition, and hoping they’d bring a little desire and drive. I think that desire and drive are key to doing well in a competitive situation.
           This young group has been a blast to coach. Although we only practiced once a week, they did have other things on the go like dance, curling, basketball, and more. The girls managed to go from not being ranked to 4th place at our first Sask Cup.
By our second Sask Cup other teams started to come watch our games a little bit and the girls managed to win 4th at the second Sask Cup. To have not gained or lost any ground playing amongst the best of the province was huge… especially with one practice a week. Other teams would be going at least two, maybe even three times a week. Then at the third Sask Cup the girls managed to work their way to the final where they lost to JCVC Crush, but a second place finish was huge.
 At provincials they went in determined and finished fourth out of 37 teams in their age group in the province – a huge accomplishment. Also, the semi-final match against the team that went on to win gold we only lost in the third set by four points.
           It’s been so much fun watching them grow and become better as the season progressed. That’s the ideal coaching plan – to constantly improve throughout the season, which they absolutely did.
           They developed a lot, but one of their biggest assets was their desire. They wanted to succeed and they made the most of the practices they did have working hard all season.
           I’d like to thank all the parents for their support over the season; my assistant coaches Tracy Barsi, Eugene Brown, and Krista Light; and our team manager Della Dube. Most importantly though thank you to the girls for working so hard throughout! It was a phenomenal year.
