Volleyball coaches hope commitment
will help overcome loss of six seniors
By Bruce Rolfe
Roster turn over is a reality each year in high school sports, whether it’s losing one senior, a handful or many to graduation.
However a changing roster also presents opportunities for returners and younger players playing at the varsity level for the first time.
After losing six seniors, Galesburg-Augusta varsity volleyball coach Jonica Klimp and her coaching staff knew there would be some growing pains entering the new season that begins August 23 with a freshman tournament at Fennville and August 26 for the JV and varsity at Comstock.
Seniors Grace Gibson (outside hitter) and Addison Born (defensive specialist) along with junior Lily Gilbert (outside hitter) are the lone returning starters with Gilbert being the only player who saw the most playing time.
The other returning letter winners are seniors BreAnna Keene (Middle Blocker) and Charlotte Lockner (Libero).
Klimp admits there was some concern about filling the positions the departed seniors played. But she has seen the returners and younger players show commitment and a drive to get better by putting in time and work.
“The majority of these current athletes have been putting time in the gym this summer and have put those thoughts (concern) to rest. We have been able to put athletes that we have been developing in bigger roles, giving them the chance to prove themselves,” observed Klimp, entering her fourth year as G-A’s varsity coach.
The G-A coach said with confidence being a large part of volleyball, she is seeing signs her players are reaching self assurance “by senority, repetition, and comfort.”
“Coach Fox (Assistant coach Olivia Fox) and I are excited to see how this season shakes out. It will be 100 percent on the girls and their desire to win,” points out the Lady Ram coach.
After G-A was eliminated in the district semifinals last year to defending state champion K-Christian, Klimp didn’t hesitate to note cutting down on errors that were prevalent in the district tournament match, will be something she will be constantly reminding her players about this season.
“We will always be working on cutting down errors. This year we have a different dynamic to the team. Our main focus will be on earning points with attacks,” said Klimp.
Klimp feels communication on the court will be a key to eliminating some of those mistakes and so far, she’s seeing positive signs in that area.
“We have a few girls who help run the court, with their communication, we are hoping to eliminate early mistakes. I also see us being smart on the court this year, seeing both sides of the court,” adds Klimp.
When looking at the SAC, she feels Martin will be competitive in the division and expects Delton-Kellogg, which defeated G-A last year, to be competitive as well.
The remaining players on the roster are seniors Wende Trines (Middle Blocker), Hayden Myers (Defensive Specialist), juniors Emily Coleman, (Opposite Hitter), Lexi Coburn, (Setter), Haley Marshall, (Defensive Specialist), Aubri McJunkin (Defensive Specialist) and Ava Schelb (Opposite Hitter).
Klimp will be assisted by Olivia Fox, who is moving up from the 8th grade coach as an assistant varsity coach. Kristin Gibson will be the JV coach and Delany Dack will be freshman coach.
Roster turn over is a reality each year in high school sports, whether it’s losing one senior, a handful or many to graduation.
However a changing roster also presents opportunities for returners and younger players playing at the varsity level for the first time.
After losing six seniors, Galesburg-Augusta varsity volleyball coach Jonica Klimp and her coaching staff knew there would be some growing pains entering the new season that begins August 23 with a freshman tournament at Fennville and August 26 for the JV and varsity at Comstock.
Seniors Grace Gibson (outside hitter) and Addison Born (defensive specialist) along with junior Lily Gilbert (outside hitter) are the lone returning starters with Gilbert being the only player who saw the most playing time.
The other returning letter winners are seniors BreAnna Keene (Middle Blocker) and Charlotte Lockner (Libero).
Klimp admits there was some concern about filling the positions the departed seniors played. But she has seen the returners and younger players show commitment and a drive to get better by putting in time and work.
“The majority of these current athletes have been putting time in the gym this summer and have put those thoughts (concern) to rest. We have been able to put athletes that we have been developing in bigger roles, giving them the chance to prove themselves,” observed Klimp, entering her fourth year as G-A’s varsity coach.
The G-A coach said with confidence being a large part of volleyball, she is seeing signs her players are reaching self assurance “by senority, repetition, and comfort.”
“Coach Fox (Assistant coach Olivia Fox) and I are excited to see how this season shakes out. It will be 100 percent on the girls and their desire to win,” points out the Lady Ram coach.
After G-A was eliminated in the district semifinals last year to defending state champion K-Christian, Klimp didn’t hesitate to note cutting down on errors that were prevalent in the district tournament match, will be something she will be constantly reminding her players about this season.
“We will always be working on cutting down errors. This year we have a different dynamic to the team. Our main focus will be on earning points with attacks,” said Klimp.
Klimp feels communication on the court will be a key to eliminating some of those mistakes and so far, she’s seeing positive signs in that area.
“We have a few girls who help run the court, with their communication, we are hoping to eliminate early mistakes. I also see us being smart on the court this year, seeing both sides of the court,” adds Klimp.
When looking at the SAC, she feels Martin will be competitive in the division and expects Delton-Kellogg, which defeated G-A last year, to be competitive as well.
The remaining players on the roster are seniors Wende Trines (Middle Blocker), Hayden Myers (Defensive Specialist), juniors Emily Coleman, (Opposite Hitter), Lexi Coburn, (Setter), Haley Marshall, (Defensive Specialist), Aubri McJunkin (Defensive Specialist) and Ava Schelb (Opposite Hitter).
Klimp will be assisted by Olivia Fox, who is moving up from the 8th grade coach as an assistant varsity coach. Kristin Gibson will be the JV coach and Delany Dack will be freshman coach.
G-A Volleyball Profile
Coach: Jonica Klimp, 4th year varsity coach
Assistant coaches: Olivia Fox, Assistant Varsity Coach, Kristin Gibson JV coach, Delany Dack, freshman coach
Last year: 18-10-2 overall/3-2, third place SAC Central Division
Returning Starters: Lily Gilbert, 11th, Outside Hitter; Grace Gibson 12th, Outside Hitter; Addison Born 12th, Defensive Specialist.
Other Returning Letterwinners: BreAnna Keene, 12th, Middle Blocker; Charlotte Lockner, 12th, Libero.
Remaining Players: Emily Coleman, 11th, Opposite Hitter; Lexi Coburn, 11th, Setter; Wende Trines, 12th, Middle Block; Haley Marshall, 11th, Defensive Specialist; Aubri McJunkin, 11th, Defensive Specialist; Ava Schelb, 11th, Opposite Hitter; Hayden Myers, 12th, Defensive Specialist.
A Look Ahead ...
G-A Freshman/JV/Varsity
VOLLEYBALL
Sat. 8-23 Fennville Tourn. (9th) Away 9 a.m.
Tues. 8-26 Comstock (JV/Var) Away 6 p.m.
Thurs. 9-4 Schoolcraft (9th/JV/Var) Away 5:30 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Sat. 8-23 Fennville Tourn. (9th) Away 9 a.m.
Tues. 8-26 Comstock (JV/Var) Away 6 p.m.
Thurs. 9-4 Schoolcraft (9th/JV/Var) Away 5:30 p.m.
Galesburg-Augusta
CROSS COUNTRY
8-26: Barney Roy Inv. Cornwell’s Turkeyville 6 p.m.
9-4: Delton Inv, Gilmore Car Museum 5 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
8-26: Barney Roy Inv. Cornwell’s Turkeyville 6 p.m.
9-4: Delton Inv, Gilmore Car Museum 5 p.m.
