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Blue Springs, MO —
Katie Grusing is technically the only head coach for the Blue Springs volleyball team this season.
But Grusing is receiving plenty of help from a six-player senior class that’s providing loads of leadership during the Wildcats’ practices.
“We can cover a lot of ground with six of them,” said Grusing, whose team sported only two seniors last season.
The senior class is made up of Kourtney Thompson, Brianna Starr, Holly Tarvin, Marissa Butrum, Shelby Ellebracht and Makenzie Kirk. While the Cats are much more experienced than last year, Grusing wouldn’t speculate about the season’s expectations. But she added that the plethora of veterans allow her to expand her daily objectives.
“It definitely elevates what I expect from them in terms of training,” Grusing said. “... We don’t know what everyone else is bringing up, but it allows us to elevate what I expect from them in practice situations.”
Not to mention it takes a hefty burden off Grusing as she’s conducting those practices.
“The older kids are able to help you facilitate drills a little bit,” Grusing said. “They already know all your drills, so sometimes when the younger kids don’t know where they’re supposed to go the older kids are able to help them get there. This is a really good group of leaders that way.”
BREWING CHEMISTRY: While the Wildcats are stocked with veteran leadership, across town at Blue Springs South, the Jaguars are cultivating chemistry with an eclectic mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen.
South’s varsity roster will likely consist of one senior, four juniors and four sophomores.
“It might be a year of transition for these girls to get comfortable with each other and gel,” South coach Dave MacLean said. “To be as high level a team as we were last year, that might be hard to do.”
MacLean is not saying this season’s a throwaway. He quickly added that he likes what he’s seen from the group so far.
Plus, chemistry should be easier to develop since the group seems to genuinely like each other. MacLean said it’s typical for the girls on the squad to grab a hamburger at McDonald’s, catch a movie together or hang out at each other’s house.
“They need to be friends,” MacLean said. “They don’t have to be, but we hope they develop tight relationships and compete a little harder for each other.”
Katie Grusing is technically the only head coach for the Blue Springs volleyball team this season.
But Grusing is receiving plenty of help from a six-player senior class that’s providing loads of leadership during the Wildcats’ practices.
“We can cover a lot of ground with six of them,” said Grusing, whose team sported only two seniors last season.
The senior class is made up of Kourtney Thompson, Brianna Starr, Holly Tarvin, Marissa Butrum, Shelby Ellebracht and Makenzie Kirk. While the Cats are much more experienced than last year, Grusing wouldn’t speculate about the season’s expectations. But she added that the plethora of veterans allow her to expand her daily objectives.
“It definitely elevates what I expect from them in terms of training,” Grusing said. “... We don’t know what everyone else is bringing up, but it allows us to elevate what I expect from them in practice situations.”
Not to mention it takes a hefty burden off Grusing as she’s conducting those practices.
“The older kids are able to help you facilitate drills a little bit,” Grusing said. “They already know all your drills, so sometimes when the younger kids don’t know where they’re supposed to go the older kids are able to help them get there. This is a really good group of leaders that way.”
BREWING CHEMISTRY: While the Wildcats are stocked with veteran leadership, across town at Blue Springs South, the Jaguars are cultivating chemistry with an eclectic mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen.
South’s varsity roster will likely consist of one senior, four juniors and four sophomores.
“It might be a year of transition for these girls to get comfortable with each other and gel,” South coach Dave MacLean said. “To be as high level a team as we were last year, that might be hard to do.”
MacLean is not saying this season’s a throwaway. He quickly added that he likes what he’s seen from the group so far.
Plus, chemistry should be easier to develop since the group seems to genuinely like each other. MacLean said it’s typical for the girls on the squad to grab a hamburger at McDonald’s, catch a movie together or hang out at each other’s house.
“They need to be friends,” MacLean said. “They don’t have to be, but we hope they develop tight relationships and compete a little harder for each other.”
