2011 E. WAYNE COOLEY YOU CAN AWARD WINNERS-VOLLEYBALL

 

Keith Stickrod, Coach Carroll Kuemper High School

Keith just finished his 3rd year at Carroll Kuemper High School. In his first two years, Carroll Kuemper lost in the regional final. This year Carroll Kuemper advanced to the state tournament.

Keith is passionate about volleyball and he has taught his players this same passion. He is always positive and encouraging the girls, both on and off the court. Keith was a volunteer coach at Kuemper before he took over the program. He has volunteered so much of his time and talent with the volleyball program at Kuemper. Kuemper is very fortunate to have him as a coach.

Nominated by Madi Drees and Howie and Sara Drees

Tabitha Blaser, Forest City High School

As a sophomore, Tabitha Blaser started in 37 matches and played in a total of 94 sets. In the first set of her junior year, after only recording 5 kills on the night, Tabitha tore her ACL, MCL and meniscus and was out for the rest of the season. She had surgery in early September and then re-injured her knee and had to have another surgery in February 2011.

Tabitha rehabbed all spring and summer in order to be ready to play again her senior year. Most of this was behind the scenes and it was unbeknownst to her teammates how hard she was working.

Back on the court for the 2011 season, Tabitha became and immediate leader, in skill and determination. She was elected co-captain and led the team through some bouts of adversity. Tabitha ended the season as the team leader in kills, hitting efficiency, digs and service aces.

Nominated by Lacey Jerome, Head Coach Forest City High School

Kati Seeman, Senior, Boone High School

Kati Seeman has been a Boone volleyball player for all of her 4 years in high school. Kati is one unique player and teammate. She played very limited varsity play, but she was always motivating the team on the court and on the bench. If the players were not excited she made sure they would get pumped. She would take each game to heart even if she never stepped onto the court. Being one of the team captains, she was very dependable and someone I could count on for her honesty. I feel she would be a good candidate and representative for Iowa volleyball.

Nominated by Teresa Schaefer, Head Coach Boone High School

Annette Hough, Junior, Iowa School for the Deaf

Annette never missed a practice this past year and improved her skills everyday and every game. She would show up on time and ask for extra help with her skills when she thought she needed it. Annette played opposite hitter and setter throughout the year. Our team finished with 16 wins and 6 losses which is the second best record in school history. Annette showed great sportsmanship in every game. She expected responsibilities that I gave her in different game situations. Annette is a very coachable player. She is not the "flashy" player but very consistent. I am honored to nominate her.

Nominated by Karen Lechner, Head Coach Iowa School for the Deaf

Natalie Jensen, Sioux Central High School

Natalie has played for me this past year and last as one of my middle hitters. She went from being a weak middle hitter last year to a strong hitter for us this year. Natalie has worked very hard to become the player she has become. She was in the gym all summer lifting weights and working on her skills. On the court, Natalie is very positive and is always trying to keep her teammates fired up. She has such a positive attitude and when Natalie makes a mistake, it just makes her work harder. Natalie is a caring, respectful individual and goes out of her way to keep her team motivated. Natalie does not play all the way around for me, and when she is on the bench, she is cheering her teammates on. Any coach would welcome a player like Natalie.

Nominated by Sue Mattson, Head Coach Sioux Central High School

Cassie Contreras, Junior, Iowa School for the Deaf

Cassie played middle hitter this season and her skills improved vastly. Cassie could be seen in games encouraging other teammates. Her positive attitude was contagious. She coached the younger players on the team in practice showing them the things she learned from playing volleyball. As a student, Cassie is above average earning A's and B's in her classes. Cassie is a hard worker with a great work ethic. She practices hard and takes the skills learned to the games. She has a wicked serve! Cassie has played volleyball for two years and in those years, Cassie has made incredible progress. She is a class act.

Nominated by Karen Lechner, Head Coach Iowa School for the Deaf

Abby Nuese, Senior, East Marshall High School

Abby was dedicated with all off season activities like open gym. Then she had knee surgery and had to work to get ready for the upcoming season. She came to our preseason camps, but was unable to really participate. She was there as a leader and a role model as she waited to be okayed to fully participate. Then she worked hard in two days doing what she was okayed to do and using the treadmill for conditioning. She was then released fully to participate and was a great leader for u. She was willing to do what she needed to in order to help our team. Including running a 5-1 a few games when our other 6-2 setter was out. This meant she would not be a full hitter and that didn't matter to her. She hustled and was all over the court working hard this season. I feel after the role she played through the East Marshall program during her four years she deserves to be recognized. Especially since we are in the tough North Iowa Cedar League and our season again put us at the bottom which doesn't allow us to get players on all conference like other schools. She is an all conference player in my book. As a coach I could always count on her leadership and hustle. She is an athlete, but also a very good student. She has a very high grade point and will be the top of her class academically. She is a leader in the school also being the president of the student council and a member of the National Honor Society. She is a christian and active in her youth group. Needless to say she is a very positive role model for our school.

Nominated by Jodi Hinegardner, Head Coach East Marshall High School

Tilly Kuenster, Junior, Iowa City High School

Due to an injury, Tilly was unable to play this season. However, she was unwilling to let hip surgery prevent her from being a part of our team and the sport she loves. Devastated, she came to me this summer asking how she could still be a part of the team. After a tearful discussion, Tilly decided to be a player-manager for our 2011 varsity squad. She, along with fellow classmate, Kesha Hyche, became the first varsity managers in my 10 years at City High. These two young women were incredible. Tilly would do anything I asked, and I mean anything. Ultimately, she became more of an assistant coach than student manager. The ongoing joke was when my assistant and I were talking, Tilly would come over and say, "Coaches meeting!"

Tilly epitomizes the word teammate. She is a friend and a competitor who knows when to encourage, when to motivate, and when to listen. Tilly does whatever it takes to make her teammates better players and better people. At times, she would warm up with her teammates until she was dragged off the court by myself or my assistant. This alone shows her athletic abilities and determination to succeed. It is encouraging to know that she more than likely will contribute to the 2012 City High volleyball team. What she brought to the 2011 team cannot be measured. I am in awe of Tilly and her dedication to her teammates at City High.

Nominated by Craig Pitcher, Head Coach Iowa City High School