Thursday, September 3, 2009 10:03 AM CDT
Hutchinson expects good things for veteran team
By SCOTT RICHEY, Staff Writer
MATTOON -- Susan Hutchinson is “cautiously optimistic” about the success Mattoon’s girls’ volleyball team could achieve this season.
And the Green Wave coach has plenty of reasons to think her team could improve on last year’s trip to the IHSA Class 3A regional championship match, which Effingham ultimately won, and a season-ending 29-4 record, the best since 1987.
Those numerous reasons start with five returning seniors including four who played consistently at the varsity level last season as juniors.
Because of the number of players returning this season, Hutchinson was able to change how she prepared her team for this season’s opening match scheduled for a 7 p.m. start today against Shelbyville at Mattoon High School.
Instead of focusing on individual skills and working on drills to improve in those areas, Hutchinson has had the Green Wave working on team concepts like team defense, scrimmaging and serve-receive in practice.
“I think we’re more prepared this season for match play than we’ve been any other season,” Hutchinson said. “At the same time, we’ve got some fine tuning to do. I’m pleased with the respect where I think we’ve done more this season than we’ve done in past seasons.”
Hutchinson said the focus on team concepts in practice instead of drills meant to improve fundamentals has added a dynamic that has been lacking in the Mattoon volleyball program the last three or fours seasons. Competition within the team is now the norm.
“The girls have a hard time competing within the team,” Hutchinson said. “We’ve really tried focusing on making practices more like match play so the girls are competing on a daily basis as opposed to just when there’s been a match. Our senior class is a very competitive class to begin with, and I think that’s made them even more competitive.”
Those seniors have developed a common goal and vision for the season, and the aspirations are lofty.
Perhaps making the most improvements from a year ago to help achieve those goals is senior Kayla Patrem. Hutchinson said Patrem, who earned a starting spot late her sophomore year, has improved as a middle blocker during the summer by tweaking and improving her attack.
Helping with Mattoon’s attack from the outside is Reynae Hutchinson, who earned All-Big 12 Conference honors last year. Susan Hutchinson said Reynae Hutchinson spent time this summer away from the gym and off the court improving her strength in the weight room to help improve her hitting.
“She definitely has a lot of power,” Susan Hutchinson said. “She’s really worked on developing a variety of shots. I think just with her strength, and working on her strength and agility in the weight room, has made her a more dynamic player.”
Seniors Michelle Glenn and Kara Salmon will be setting up the Green Wave attack from the setter position, as Mattoon will run a 6-2 offense which operates with two setters. Susan Hutchinson said Glenn brings “scary speed,” a good vertical jump for her size (5-4 or 5-5) and solid command of her serve to the court, while Salmon has good insight to where she needs to put the ball off her set.
Mattoon’s junior class, however, might be the determining factor in the Green Wave’s success this season. Susan Hutchinson said both Kaitlyn Bradd (strength and offense from the left side) and Lindsay Quick (defensive specialist) will contribute, but middle blocker/outside hitter Shannon Lowry could be the sleeper of the bunch.
“She’s one of those juniors who’s really going to have to make her presence known,” Susan Hutchinson said about Lowry. “She’s improved a tremendous amount since last season. “She’s really going to have to play an important part to the team’s success this season. If she comes out of her shell, she’ll really surprise some people.”
With numerous weapons at her disposal on the court, Susan Hutchinson said expectations are running high. She said she has set those expectations for her team, but the Green Wave have done the same for themselves.
“It should be an exciting year for Mattoon volleyball,” Susan Hutchinson said. “We have a lot of high hopes. I hope the girls can set their minds to it and get the job done.”
MATTOON VOLLEYBALL
ROSTER
Player Ht. Pos.
Seniors
Michelle Glenn 5-6 S
Reynae Hutchinson 6-0 OH
Kayla Patrem 5-10 MB
Kara Salmon 5-8 S
Hayley Tucker 5-7 OH/DS
Juniors
Kaitlyn Bradd 5-8 OH
Whitney Godden 5-6 S
Shannon Lowry 5-9 MB
Tabi Reinbolt 6-1 MB
Lindsay Quick 5-3 DS
Hannah Vieth 5-6 OH/DS
Sophomores
Kayla Jacobs 5-9 OH/MB
Hannah Miller 5-7 OH
Hannah Sinclair 5-8 OH
Lexi Thompson 5-8 OH
SCHEDULE
Sept. 3 - SHELBYVILLE; Sept. 5 MATTOON INVITATIONAL; Sept. - at Tolono; Sept. 14 - CHARLESTON; Sept. 15 - BLOOMINGTON*; Sept. 17 – at Decatur MacArthur*; Sept. 22 – at Danville*; Sept. 24 - NORMAL*; Sept. 26 – at Decatur Eisenhower Invitational; Sept. 28 - STEWARDSON-STRASBURG; Sept. 29 – at Urbana*; Oct. 3 - atNormal West*; Oct. 5 - ST. JOSEPH-OGDEN; Oct. 6 - CHAMPAIGN CENTRAL*; Oct. 12 at Mount Zion Invitational; Oct. 15 at Decatur Eisenhower*; Oct. 19 – at Taylorville; Oct. 20 CHAMPAIGN CENTENNIAL*; Oct. 22 SPRINGFIELD SACRED HEART-GRIFFIN
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