August 9, 2021 at 7:59 a.m.
Volleyball players make up for lost time at camp
Volleyball players make up for lost time at camp
Last week, several players were in the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium making up for lost time.
Roughly 40 players took part in a three-day camp put on by the Hodag Spikers Volleyball Club. Each session lasted approximately four hours, giving players one big crash course before fall practice officially begins Aug. 16.
"I hope this is a good introductory to the season for them, getting back in the gym, getting back into shape, getting the ball back in their hands and playing a little bit and hopefully being more comfortable to start the season in two weeks," Hodag volleyball head coach Dan Wolter said.
Wolter, who oversaw the Hodags' summer activities before being officially named head coach last month, said he was pleased with the turnout which far exceeded what he saw at open gyms.
"Our club did a great job of getting the word spread and getting people informed of what we've got going on," he said. "I'm very impressed with the younger classes showing up and even the senior group. We got all of them and hopefully we continue to build on these numbers."
Wolter, who succeeded Jim Povolo following his one-year stint at the helm of the program, said things came together quickly after his promotion from assistant coach to head coach was announced July 15. Shortly thereafter, last week's camp was also announced.
"Our club members and the program stepped up big time for us to get this put together in a short time frame, get a schedule out there and work with the school district on getting us some gym time," he said.
Wolter said ball-handling was the No. 1 priority at the camp. Service receive and passing errors were a glaring weakness for a team that lagged well behind the rest of the Great Northern Conference in both digs and assists last season. While some time, especially during the camp's second day was spent on hitting and blocking, making sure the ball gets to the front line with a chance to attack was they main point of emphasis.
"We have struggled very much with our serve receive, ball control, passing. The first half of practice was nothing but ball control, using our hands and passing the ball," he said.
As for the last part of practice, much of that time was spent without a ball. Rather the campers were broken into groups that did relay races involving various running and speed bag exercises. Wolter said it was all part of trying to get into better shape before the first practice of the season.
"We're getting ready for season," he said. "We've got to get stronger and faster. Strength and conditioning is going to be a big part of our program going forward. We need to be stronger than everyone else."
The Hodags are seeking stability in a program that has struggled over the past several seasons. The team has won only two matches total over the last three years and has not had a winning season since 2012. Wolter is the team's fourth head coach in the past five years.
It will once again be a quick turnaround for the Hodags from the start of fall practice to their first competition. The team will scrimmage Wausau East in the Miazga Gym Aug. 21 and then will open non-conference play by hosting Chequamegon, Elcho and Hurley in a quadrangular Aug. 24.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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