2011 Season Highlights

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:14:00 GMT

For me, the highlight of this season was the trip to Ohio. It was there that we did our first kid’s service, competed in a tournament, got to experience Skyline Chili and we spent ten hours in a van together. Ohio helped us bond as a team and learn more about one another. We not only bonded as a team, but we also bonded with our “extended team”, Patty and Ricky. In the vans we swapped stories, our fears, and we also sang songs. Our first ministry opportunity went better than expected. Seeing each other working in the ministry was very inspiring; nine girls acting like kids again while teaching a bible story is always fun. While in Ohio we went to Skyline Chili which to me is a hometown comfort food but for the rest of the team it wasn’t the greatest of food choices. All of these experiences helped grow us personally and as a team. Our goal for the season was to glorify God in whatever we did. I believe that the team, Coach Lynn, and the team workers all helped in glorifying God with something as simple as volleyball. All of the van rides and games in Ohio really helped us get to the comfortable point in our relationship as teammates and friends.

- Staci Ackels

During this volleyball season, I was able to become friends with girls I normally wouldn’t have known. We had our ups and downs, but each one has made a different impact on my life that I am thankful for. I also saw different characteristics in my life that I either didn’t know I had or I needed to work on. It has helped me grow in many areas of my life.

-Megan Bath

My highlight of the season is just getting to meet and make lifelong friendships with my teammates and all of the inside jokes that have helped make the season hilarious. Another highlight is all of our road trip time and laughter. I loved getting to learn how to play a new sport and had a blast doing it!

-Katie Wightman

Volleyball is a lot of things for me. During the season Coach Lynn instilled in me the power of endurance, working hard at my strengths and never giving up on my weaknesses. The team also taught me about ministry.

-Martha Patterson

News from the Coach

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:47:37 GMT

This year’s Lady Spartans worked hard from the start of the season till the end. Time on the court in challenging moments was the best teacher for the team. The learning curve for the young team was huge in terms of running a fast offense and the need for an even faster defensive coverage. On the team for the Spartans was one senior, Meredith Smock, defensive specialist. Meredith had the most floor experience of all the players. She did a fine job in every new responsibility that was assigned…first as outside hitter and finally as a setter for the team. The gradual improvement on the floor took some time but the end result was a team on the floor moving well and working hard. Although the win/loss record is difficult, the team stayed the course and finished what they started. With the lone senior, the team had no juniors, 4 sophomores (Jessica Alexander, Lindsey Clark, Megan Bath, and Martha Patterson – none who had played college ball and only 2 with high school experience), and 4 freshmen (Bridgette Trainer, Staci Ackels, Katie Wightman, and Elizabeth Geurs – 2 of which had played some in high school). Most matches were good battles. A few were tough when the Spartan team was out-sized by teams with six foot players with their smallest being 5’8”. No doubt these teams made the girls better. The mental toughness of playing was also a factor for the team. Coach Lynn Hanson stated, “Thinking the game fast and moving fast is difficult for young players. But in the end the over-all improvement factor is really something to cheer about. I am very proud of this team. They were so likeable, coachable, and fun to be around. Their desire to get better was very evident. And they each did just that.”

Along with volleyball play, the team enjoyed ministry together. They led devotions, raised money for the Pregnancy Care Center and directed Sunday Kids Ministry. A true highlight of a season is when there is opportunity as a team to share Jesus with young children. The emphasis is to show that church is fun and God directs our steps from children to adults. The very last thing the team did together was not on the court for a match but was preparing for ministry at Central Assembly for a Kids Zone service. The team led in songs, memory work, games, skits, and Bible time. Scott Berkey, National Children’s director for the Assembly of God denomination stated, “Children’s ministry is growing and workers are needed desperately. I would love for the team to be able to travel and share what I have just seen.” What a great way to end the season as the team shared Jesus and their love of volleyball.

The future for the Lady Spartans is in God’s hands - His time, and His way. Please pray for the team and all the days ahead.

Women's Volleyball News

2011 Season Highlights

News from the Coach