Western credo: Tradition never graduates
Wolfpack must replace eight seniors after sixth state title in seven years
By Jerry Giese, Journal sports writer | Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008
HULL, Iowa -- Danae Geels and Steph Fykstra probably would have been starting middle hitters for plenty of schools last year.
Yet, in the tradition-rich Western Christian volleyball program, they rode the bench.
Still, by practicing against standouts like Kate Buyert and Brandee Schaap, a pair of first-team all-state hitters who led the Wolfpack to their sixth Class 2A state championship in a seven-year stretch, Geels and Fykstra discovered themselves getting better.
Geels, a 5-10 senior, and her classmate, the 6-foot Fykstra, will be starting for the first time as veteran Western Coach Tammi Veerbeek faces perhaps her most challenging rebuilding project ever. Veerbeek, who has a remarkable 441-45-9 record, graduated eight seniors from last year's 50-2 squad -- the first Iowa prep team to win 50 matches in a season.
Buyert, Schaap and setter Jessica DeStigter each won first-team 2A all-state honors while another senior, April Solsma, was a third-team all-stater.
"There will be a lot of new faces in the mix after graduating eight seniors," said Veerbeek, whose team, which is ranked third in 2A by the Iowa Girls High School Athletiic Union, will open the season Saturday at the Sioux City North Invitational.
"In the past, we have had years where we lost a big senior class, but when you look at returning starters, there are six seniors on this year's team who simply had to sit on the bench and wait their turn, like our two middle hitters (Geels, Fykstra), who were stuck behind talented seniors and had to wait to get playing time.
"These girls are excited to play. And, by practicing against the talent we had last year, they became better. They're ready to prove themselves."
Seniors Brittany Landegent and Jenessa Schutte each saw playing time last year. Landegent, a 6-foot right-side hitter, collected 187 kills and 85 blocks while Schutte, a 5-6 defensive specialist, recorded 280 digs and had 66 ace serves while serving 94 percent.
Veerbeek anticipates moving Landegent to an outside hitter role where she could be dominant. Kim Elgersma, a 5-11 junior, will also hit from the outside while 5-10 sophomore Ashley Van Der Brink will play right side in an offense directed by 5-7 sophomore setter Kayla Gesink.
The rotation also includes 5-5 senior defensive specialist Kendra Kroeze and 5-6 junior libero Jocelyn Bousema.
"Losing four all-staters is tough to replace, but on the other hand, we have good athletes left in the program," said Veerbeek. "They're all hungry, they're all ready to prove themselves.
"We have shirts that read, 'Tradition never graduates.' The tradition we have of desire and work ethic are still there. The girls' goals have not changed. They're the same goals ever year out."
The goal? Obviously, another state championship.
A state title would mark the 12th, all in the last 20 years, for a program that has recorded 25 state tournament appearances, second only to Dubuque Wahlert's 27.
"This is a very quick and athletic team while last year's was big, dominant at the net and beat you with a lot of power," said Veerbeek. "This year, we'll have a balanced attack. This team has the capability of doing it if they put their mind to it."
Yet, in the tradition-rich Western Christian volleyball program, they rode the bench.
Still, by practicing against standouts like Kate Buyert and Brandee Schaap, a pair of first-team all-state hitters who led the Wolfpack to their sixth Class 2A state championship in a seven-year stretch, Geels and Fykstra discovered themselves getting better.
Geels, a 5-10 senior, and her classmate, the 6-foot Fykstra, will be starting for the first time as veteran Western Coach Tammi Veerbeek faces perhaps her most challenging rebuilding project ever. Veerbeek, who has a remarkable 441-45-9 record, graduated eight seniors from last year's 50-2 squad -- the first Iowa prep team to win 50 matches in a season.
Buyert, Schaap and setter Jessica DeStigter each won first-team 2A all-state honors while another senior, April Solsma, was a third-team all-stater.
"There will be a lot of new faces in the mix after graduating eight seniors," said Veerbeek, whose team, which is ranked third in 2A by the Iowa Girls High School Athletiic Union, will open the season Saturday at the Sioux City North Invitational.
"In the past, we have had years where we lost a big senior class, but when you look at returning starters, there are six seniors on this year's team who simply had to sit on the bench and wait their turn, like our two middle hitters (Geels, Fykstra), who were stuck behind talented seniors and had to wait to get playing time.
"These girls are excited to play. And, by practicing against the talent we had last year, they became better. They're ready to prove themselves."
Seniors Brittany Landegent and Jenessa Schutte each saw playing time last year. Landegent, a 6-foot right-side hitter, collected 187 kills and 85 blocks while Schutte, a 5-6 defensive specialist, recorded 280 digs and had 66 ace serves while serving 94 percent.
Veerbeek anticipates moving Landegent to an outside hitter role where she could be dominant. Kim Elgersma, a 5-11 junior, will also hit from the outside while 5-10 sophomore Ashley Van Der Brink will play right side in an offense directed by 5-7 sophomore setter Kayla Gesink.
The rotation also includes 5-5 senior defensive specialist Kendra Kroeze and 5-6 junior libero Jocelyn Bousema.
"Losing four all-staters is tough to replace, but on the other hand, we have good athletes left in the program," said Veerbeek. "They're all hungry, they're all ready to prove themselves.
"We have shirts that read, 'Tradition never graduates.' The tradition we have of desire and work ethic are still there. The girls' goals have not changed. They're the same goals ever year out."
The goal? Obviously, another state championship.
A state title would mark the 12th, all in the last 20 years, for a program that has recorded 25 state tournament appearances, second only to Dubuque Wahlert's 27.
"This is a very quick and athletic team while last year's was big, dominant at the net and beat you with a lot of power," said Veerbeek. "This year, we'll have a balanced attack. This team has the capability of doing it if they put their mind to it."
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