Burlington volleyball has one goal – win it all

Determination, depth have Burlington built for success

 

It’s not something you’d expect a team to do just two days before a state tournament.

The Burlington girls volleyball players laid out on the BHS gymnasium floor moments before practice Tuesday afternoon, pens in hand.

They were fast at work, taking a math test of all things.

A fun competition to break the ice of the impending hard work, the player with the most points wins a Gatorade drink.

The girls picked partners and shared plenty of laughs. One by one, they would race to coaches Teri Leach and Dan Lynch claiming to be the first one done.

About 10 minutes later, it was all business. Hitting drills focused on precision, timing and ball placement, and the smiles were gone. Each girl pushed each other, as they have all season, in preparation for Thursday’s state tournament at the Resch Center in Green Bay.

The math test was more than just a fun little game. It summed up the 2014 Burlington Demons, a team constantly in competition to push each other to the highest level.

This is a group of winners, as nine of the team’s players were a part of the 2012 state championship squad, and a few were on the 2011 state title team.

And last year’s wake-up call only offered more motivation. After the Demons cruised to four straight state tournaments, the girls were knocked out one game shy of state.

I sat down with each of the nine girls Tuesday at BHS just before practice, and the constant theme was clear.

These girls aren’t happy just getting back to state. They want the whole enchilada.

Leach did her best to explain her team’s hunger for more.

“We have a lot of talent that could have been a successful team without having to work hard, but this group wants more than success,” she said via email Tuesday night. “They want to be at the top and know that an extra dedication and focus is required to reach that level.”

While each player on the team is important, as the Demons go roughly 15 girls deep, I wanted to delve into the minds of these particular nine girls, Quinn Spieker, Tay Lewis, Phoebe Hozeska, Teagan Taylor, Robyn Robers, Leah Hofer, Emma Fettig, Sarra Webb and Ali Rueter.

Each girl plays her specific role with the selfless attitude necessary to build a championship team. And more importantly, each has tasted the sweet success of state glory.

Two years older, wiser and more developed in their games, the girls are a family, on the court and off, and it will take a Herculean effort from the field this weekend to take them down.

Here’s a look at all nine:

 

Quinn Spieker, junior, outside hitter

The leading hitter on the Demons, the 6-foot-2 Division 1 recruit (North Carolina State) dominates opponents at the net.

Her best ball rivals anyone in the state.

She credits team chemistry for a lot of this year’s success. Burlington only lost one senior from last season.

“We have the same team basically,” she said. “Our chemistry is 10 times better than last year, and we all know what we all want. Last year’s loss pushed us to work hard every single day.”

Spieker was a freshman on the 2012 championship squad that featured stud players Ciara Capezio, Kaysie Shebeneck and Morganne Longoria, all three of whom are playing Division 1 college volleyball.

“Both teams work hard,” Spieker said about the two teams. “But this year, we are a little bit more diverse. Anyone can play anywhere. It feels a little bit more real for everyone this year since we’re all contributing.”

Spieker said the atmosphere is electric at state, but she is confident the team’s first-timers will overcome their state jitters early.

“We’re used to it,” Spieker said about state. “Once you play a couple points, you’re good.”

 

Teagan Taylor, senior, libero

Taylor said she has thought about getting to this point ever since last year’s playoff loss to Westosha.

“It felt great to get back here,” she said. “We wanted that bus on Thursday morning ready to take us to state. That was our goal since our first tournament. Our second goal is to win state.”

It doesn’t hurt that the girls get to play volleyball instead of go to school Thursday, Taylor added.

In all seriousness, the Lady Demons told each other they were going to state merely days after the loss last year in the school hallways.

Taylor said many of the team’s players participate in club volleyball seven months out of the year along with the high school season.

“We don’t get much of a break,” she said. “You definitely have to be dedication to the sport.”

Taylor said both the 2012 and 2014 squads had the preseason goal of winning state. Also, players from both teams push each other and hold each other accountable every day in practice.

Taylor said this year’s team is a bit shorter, but the chemistry is strong. Each player has her own specific role.

Taylor is a leader on and off the court.

“I’m determined to pick up everybody,” she said. “We gel well as a team, and that’s part of our communication. I try to push everybody on the court.”

 

Leah Hofer, senior, middle blocker

Hofer had to step up with injuries to Hozeska and Lewis last season.

This year, Hofer has gotten more playing time and has learned to play other positions, including right side.

“I have learned to play multiple positions,” she said. “Being a captain, we have to make the nine juniors ready for next year to take over.”

Hofer said both the 2012 and 2014 squads have talent, but this year there is more depth throughout.

“At practice, it’s always a competition because you never know what’s going to happen. So many girls can play so many positions.”

Hofer said the goal is to win state. It comes down to teamwork and resiliency.

“We work as a team,” she said. “Sometimes you’re down, but we always find a way to fight back.”

 

Phoebe Hozeska, junior, middle blocker

Hozeska missed her entire sophomore season with a torn meniscus after contributing to the 2012 championship team.

Also, she had to sit out with a back injury.

This year, she has been healthy all season.

She had a heating pad on her back to prepare for Tuesday’s practice. Hozeska was happy to reveal it was her 17^th birthday.

“It was really hard to sit out last year,” she said. “I love volleyball a lot. Going through everything made me stronger. I have to stretch a lot now, but I’m good.”

Hozeska makes it a point to go all out during games, whether in the game or on the bench. She is one of the team’s leading blockers.

“My mindset is to give 100 percent every time I’m out there,” she said. “I want to give positive energy all the time.”

How does this team compare to the 2012 squad?

“This year, I feel like our team is more of a family,” Hozeska said. “We’re a lot closer, and we don’t get nervous. This year, we shake things off and go to the next play.”

She said the girls are friends on and off the court and hang out often.

 

Tay Lewis, junior, middle blocker

Lewis stepped up with two big blocks to help finish off Kenosha Tremper Saturday night.

The multi-sport athlete said it was tough to lose in sectionals last season.

“It motivated us, and it made us really want to get to state this season,” she said.

The program’s success and acceptance has helped Lewis strive to succeed for her teammates.

“As good as we are, and they’re accepting of me playing other sports, I really wanted to be a part of this,” Lewis said.

Lewis’ role on the squad is blocking at net and being loud verbally, she said.

So what’s the biggest difference with this year’s squad?

“This year, we mesh a lot better,” she said. “We all contribute, and we have more than just our seniors. Everyone from 1 to 19 can do the job.”

Lewis is looking forward to spending time with her team this weekend and hopes for another gold ball.

 

Ali Rueter, junior, outside hitter

Rueter, who can do just about anything on the court including setting and hitting, jumps out of the gym every time she goes for a kill.

She had a big game Saturday night with 12 kills.

“I’m excited to be back,” she said. “We’re basically the same team as two years ago, but we have different roles. It’s really nice knowing we’re a few girls deep in every position.”

Rueter said last year was a bit of rebuilding year, and the loss helped lead to this year’s success.

She said the girls have a lot of fun together.

“On the court, we’ve been playing together awhile and we know how to pick each other up,” Rueter said. “Off the court, we’re always having fun no matter what. Even after a loss, we all go to a player’s house and just hang out and have a good time.”

A competitive spirit keeps Rueter fighting on the court. She showed a fire in Saturday’s win with a barrage of high jumps and powerful slams.

“You’re not going to get a kill on every ball,” she said. “But when someone blocks or digs you, it motivates you to get the next one. I don’t like losing.”

She is looking forward to enjoying the last few matches with this team at state and just having fun.

 

Robyn Robers, senior, defensive specialist

Robers was part of the 2011 and 2012 championship squads.

She knows what to expect on the state’s biggest stage.

“I’m pumped,” Robers said. “It’s bringing back all the emotions. The first time I was there, I was so nervous.”

The veteran said the team’s skill level and mental maturity grew this year.

This year’s team possesses great teamwork and drive like the 2012 championship team.

“We’ve stepped up and taken the roles of our star players from two years ago,” Robers said. “We have fun together. Our goal is at state is to win it.”

 

Sarra Webb, senior, defensive specialist

“We’re all so competitive with each other,” said Webb, another senior leader.

Sarra said this year’s bunch is different and must rely more on defense without lethal weapons like Capezio, Longoria and Shebeneck.

This season, everyone must contribute.

How much did last year’s loss to Westosha motivate this team?

“It motivated us a lot,” she said. “We thought we deserved that top spot because we played so hard. We wanted to step up and work that much harder. It was normal for me to go to state a few years, but I didn’t realize it’s something that always requires a lot of hard work.”

This year, Webb said the girls realized that they can’t simply get to state because it’s Burlington volleyball.

She said they have to work hard every day to maintain a high level of success.

 

Emma Fettig, setter, junior

During Fettig’s freshman year in 2012, she had a broken wrist and wasn’t available at state.

The setter is similar to a quarterback on the floor.

“You have to read the other team and know what their weaknesses are,” she said.

Fettig listed off a variety of offensive calls, which are called based on different situations.

“Or I’ll have teammates call what they want during the play,” she said.

This year’s team is very close compared to the 2012 team, Fettig said.

“Nothing against my team two years ago, I loved everyone, but I feel we connect more this year,” she said. “We were up there in 2012 because of our skill. This year, we put so much heart in our play and everyone contributes.”

So what’s the goal for Green Bay? What will it take to capture a third gold ball in four years?

“Getting back here was all I thought of all season,” she said. “We have to keep up what we’re doing. We have to stay strong out there and play the game we’ve been playing for years.”