Scott Keyes
Sports Scene
With only three players returning from last season’s Division 3 state-runner up squad, the St. Louis volleyball team is a work in progress, according to coach Gary Stanglewicz.
“New players first need to learn how to train,” he said. “Then they have to learn how to play. Finally they have to learn how to win. We are probably halfway between last two. They are a dedicated, hard working group of talented athletes. I’m confident they will put it together and become an excellent team.”
St. Louis lost a lot of experience and determination with the graduation of all-stater Danielle Morris and Hannah Austin. The three returning players from last year’s team are Allison Smith, Brooke Tubbs, and Viktoria Metcalf.
Stanglewicz said all three players are instrumental in passing down the team dynamic to the nine new players on the team.
“Allison went from playing all the time last year to sharing a position to start the year,” Stanglewicz said.
“Even though her playing time was cut in half, she demonstrated a positive “team-first” attitude. With some lineup changes, she is now back to playing all the way around. Brooke has gone from being a walk-on part in a play to one of the lead roles. She is our leading passer and attacker. Viktoria is our lone senior. She has moved from defensive specialist to middle blocker. She is an athletic player that is working on timing.”
Prior to press time, Tubbs, who Stanglewicz described as the team’s most dynamic player, was leading the team in kills and aces and was second on the team in digs, while Smith was leading in assists.
Stanglewicz likes the growth he sees in Tubbs’ game.
“Brooke hits the ball extremely well and has an aggressive jump serve,” he said. “Bri Alspaugh has made tremendous gains in a year and, with continued improvement, could develop into a complete player. Amanda Bajenna is another gifted athlete that needs to learn how good she can become, and Kayla Baxter gives us a big block on the right side.”
With youth comes adjustments, and the Sharks are continuing to work on the small things in practice in order to become a more complete team.
“Right now, our attacking and serving are ahead of our passing and ball control,” Stanglewicz said. “We are addressing those needs with our training and with moving around our personnel. We must learn to play with consistency. We also must learn to be mentally tougher to be able to produce strong efforts over a longer period of time.”