Polte relaxes in her new position
By Nate Bloomquist
Laurie Polte wanted to take this year off to relax from the sport of volleyball. However, as she was offered the head volleyball coaching job at IVCC last spring, she had a change of heart.
"I just needed some time off," she said. "I didn’t really plan on coaching this year. (IVCC Athletic Director Mike Riley) talked me out of it. I’m glad he did."
While coaching volleyball is considered hard work and strenuous by those who chose to do it, Polte says even though she is still coaching, she can relax.
"It’s a lot different from high school to college," says Polte who compiled a 101-19-1 record in three seasons at Hall High School. "First of all it’s quite a big difference going from 60 kids in the high school program (at Hall) to nine players here."
While only nine players would be a small amount for most teams, Polte said the number of players she has is perfect.
"It’s just great because we’re a lot closer together," says the Polte, who coached for two years in the frosh-soph level at Tiskilwa High School before coaching for four years in the Lady Devils’ program. "We have a lot of fun in practice; we’re laughing most of the way through it."
The Lady Apaches started off their season with a loss against Moraine Valley on Saturday, Aug. 28. However, Polte still expects big things from her team this season.
"I want them to have fun and to play to the best of their ability, that’s what I expect from them this year," says the current Illinois Valley Volley Power club. "I don’t really think we can measure our strengths in wins and losses because everything is so new this year. We have a new conference and lots of new players."
Polte says the transition from high school coach to college coach has gone smoothly except for a few exceptions.
"First there’s like three different sets of rules that I’ve had to figure out and I have to get used to the college style of play," says the Spring Valley resident and Aurora University grad. "Not only are the players learning; I’m learning too. Other than those things I’ve really been able to fit in well here and everything’s gone really smooth."
Helping make the transition a bit easier for Polte is the players on her roster. The 1999 version of the Lady Apaches features three graduates of Hall High School, all of which Polte coached at the high school level. The rest of the players on the squad graduated from schools that Polte coached against.
"It’s a lot of fun coaching (the players I had before)," says Polte who is the activities director of the Skilled Care Unit at Illinois Valley Community Hospital in addition to being a volleyball coach. "I feel a lot more relaxed than I’ve ever been before there isn’t really as much pressure here and unlike high school I don’t really have to be anyone mommy, they are all adults here."
Polte says with that relaxation comes a lot of fun.
"You have to love the sport to play it," she says. "Otherwise it would just be like a job to come to."