By Chris Parker
Thayer volleyball has a new head coach in Danielle Brown this season. It is Brown’s first head coaching job.
“I’ve always been passionate about volleyball,” Brown said. “I played all throughout school. I grew up in a volleyball community with a very strong program with players who have played since their elementary years. For the last couple of years, I’ve put in quite a bit of time pouring into younger age groups to teach them the fundamentals of volleyball to help improve our junior high and high school programs. I’m an elementary teacher and love working with kids outside of the classroom. When the high school position came open, I felt called to continue the work of building and improving our volleyball program. So many of my players were my students in elementary school, and I love having this important role in their high school experience as well.”
She wants volleyball to have a positive impact on her players on and off the court.
“I’m passionate about girls’ sports and having a positive impact on our female athletes,” Brown said. “I want to teach our girls that the habits and lessons that they’ll pick up while playing sports translates to everything they’ll do in life. Putting forth effort, persevering when things are tough, being selfless, and not quitting are all valuable lessons to be learned on the court and applied to everything you do. I love the phrase ‘how you do anything is how you do everything’. I want to teach my girls that how you show up for your sport will be how you show up for other things in life.”
Thayer is coming off an 11-win season with five players returning.
Honorable mention all-conference senior Avery Bowers will lead the attack.
“Avery Bowers will be our power hitter,” Brown said. “We are working on perfecting her at middle. She can knock it down at the ten-foot line with the perfect set. She will be an important defensive player as well.”
Haliey Gorham will also be at middle in her senior season.
“Hailey plays a vital role in communicating with her teammates,” Brown said. “She sees the opponent’s side of the court well. She’s great at talking to the other hitters about the block and where they should swing. Her communication skills will be a great asset to our team this year.”
Junior Hattie Haynes will be the primary person in charge of putting up the sets to the hitters.
“Returning junior setter Hattie Haynes is an all-around awesome athlete,” Brown said. “She’s got beautiful hands and is always working to get her hitters a set that’s just right.”
Madelynn Rhoads is a defensive ace.
“Senior Madelynn Rhoades is our scrappy defensive specialist,” Brown said. “She’s great to show off some amazing digs.”
Sophomore Rorie Risner rounds out the returning players.
“Rorie Risner will be an all-around power player,” Brown said. “Rorie brings great leadership to our varsity team. She is very much our hype girl. She’s dedicated to improving her craft and is eager to learn whatever role we put her in.”
Newcomers to watch include: Bently Lawson, Brette Tharp, Kadyn Hilles, Crystal Edwards and Macey McIntosh.
Brown on Lawson: “Bently Lawson is a senior this year who transferred in and wasn’t eligible to play varsity last year. She’s an excellent leader on our team with top notch defensive skills. She’s excellent at communicating the entire time she’s on the court, and she is constantly trying to improve her skills.”
Brown on Tharp: “Brette Tharp is also a move in. She is a lefty junior who will play right side but also shows good potential as a backrow defensive player.”
Brown on Hilles: “Senior Kadyn Hilles is returning to volleyball after focusing on other sports. Kadyn is a super athletic lefty. She’s got great hang time and a killer swing. She also has a calm defensive presence that could help us out this season.”
Brown on Edwards: “Senior Crystal Edwards will be helping us out with setting. She also plays outside. Crystal brings a positive attitude and great energy to our team.”
Brown on McIntosh: “Senior Macey McIntosh is also joining us after taking a break from volleyball. She’s a lefty that will be great at outside or right side.”
The newcomers combined with the returners give Brown a deep roster to work with.
“Our biggest strength is having so many options for defensive and offensive players and positions,” Brown said. “I have ten players that are at varsity level of play. Six of which could easily play all the way around. Having a bench with a variety of options for positions is a strength that we have this year.”
The mental aspect will be a focus this season.
“I would say our mental game will be our biggest challenge,” Brown said. “We have some players who are returning to volleyball after a break from playing. We have several players vying for starting positions. We also have players who are trying to fill the shoes of players that have graduated. Making sure that we are keeping our calm during high pressure games will be a challenge for some of us.”
Thayer opens the regular season on Sept. 2 at Winona.
“I expect us to improve on our record this year,” Brown said. “We played many teams this summer during leagues and camps that were some great competition. These opponents showed us both our strengths and weaknesses. If we can bring our best game and have the right attitude and headspace, we can compete with most everyone in our conference and district.”
