New faces, new coach for Lady Apaches
By Sean Turner
The Lady Apache volleyball team is starting the season out with new surprises as well as new faces.
The freshest face of all is new head coach Laurie Polte. The former Hall High School Varsity Coach is looking forward to experiencing what coaching college volleyball is all about.
"I am really looking forward to seeing how this season progresses, but what
I really expect out of this season is for my players to enjoy it, and have fun. That’s the only thing I want," she said.
At press time, the Lady Apaches’ record was 0-2, with losses at the hands of Moraine Valley and Kankakee.
The Apaches posted scores of 15-9, 9-15, 11-15, and 14-16 against Moraine Valley on Aug. 28.
"We played well, I thought," said Polte. "The second game could have gone either way."
Against Kankakee on Aug. 31, the Lady Apaches posted scores of 1-15, 4-15, and 6-15.
Said Polte on her team’s performance, "Kankakee was good, there’s nothing more I can say. Our blocking game had to be working to beat them , which it wasn’t, since blocking has been one of our weak points during this new season."
"I think one of our strong points starting out this season is our team unity. All the girls get along with each other, and I’d like to see that continue throughout the season. On the other hand, one of our weak points, I have noticed, is our blocking, and also a little lack of experience at some positions.
When asked about expectations for the upcoming matches against Highland on Sept. 9 and the Carl Sandburg/ Waubonsee Tri on Sept. 11, Polte said, "I honestly have no idea what to expect. All I knew coming into this season is that Kankakee is going to be tough. The rest of the teams I am seeing for the first time as we play them."
Despite having to coach with new faces around, Polte has some players on this team that she has coached previously. Sophomore outside-hitter Nicki Huettemann, sophomore setter Amy Kozikowski, and freshman middle-back Jane Matthews all played high school volleyball with Polte as their coach.
Other players who are new to Polte’s program are sophomore outside-hitter/deep setter Katie Shevokas of LaMoille, sophomore outside-hitter Leslie Urnakis from LaSalle/Peru, freshman middle-back/outside hitter Deb Peterson of Earlville, freshmen deep-setter Kim Zimmerman and outside-hitter/middle-back Carrie Claudnic, both from LaSalle/Peru.
"I am glad I have girls on the team that I know a little about," Polte said. "I know Heuttemann brings great defense and a great serve to the squad. Also, how Kozikowski brings leadership to the team, and how Matthews is a hard hitter and she knows how my system works."
Polte started playing volleyball while at Downer’s Grove High School, then played one year at Northern Illinois University before moving on and playing three more years at George Williams University in Downer’s Grove. She ultimately received her degree in recreation administration at Aurora University, where she decided to coach.
Polte was the Frosh and Soph coach at Tiskilwa High School before moving on to accept the same position at Hall High School. Her second year at Hall, she was the Soph Coach, and in her third year, she became the Varsity coach. She left Hall with an overall record of 101-19-1.
Commenting on her decision to accept the head coaching job at IVCC, said
Polte, with a smile, "I want the girls to have the opportunity of playing the game of volleyball. That’s the main reason why I came, and also I love the game itself."
Polte is hoping to improve on the record set by last year’s team of 23-15 overall and 5-4 in the North Central Community College Conference.
The Lady Apaches have upcoming matches against Carl Sandburg at home on Sept.11, at DuPage on Sept. 16, and the John Wood/Spoon River Tri at home on Sept. 18.