Probably more than any other sport in the state of Ohio, volleyball has displayed dynastic qualities. From Cincinnati St. Ursula's incredible run of six straight D2 titles and two more in D1 in the course of a decade to the small-school powerhouses like Hopewell-Loudon (five titles in as many years) and St. Henry's six titles and dominant control of the Midwest Athletic Conference, Ohio High School Volleyball is all about the dynasties, those programs that perform year-after-year. One of the best known and most consistent is a small Catholic school in Newark, Ohio. From 1979-1984 Newark Catholic won five titles. They added three more in 1988, 1989, and 2004. On Friday, Newark Catholic will make their 13th state final four appearance and attempt to win their ninth volleyball crown. "I love coaching at Newark Catholic," said head coach Jeri Helfer. "I tell people all of the time from the outside looking in you can’t understand it, but from the inside looking out I can’t explain it. It is generations of Newark Catholic coming back to raise their kids here, and support the school and athletics. We have seven kids on our varsity roster whose parents graduated from NC. Every kid on our varsity team came up through the elementary schools. That’s building a family."
It's that family-focused, kids-first attitude that Helfer claims is the formula for such consistency of one of the state's finest volleyball programs. Helfer knows the formula well, having been a part of it as a player in high school. Her volleyball career took her from being a player in NC's program to a player at Capital University. Since her playing days, it has been coaching the game that has been a passion of hers.
"I was an assistant coach at Otterbein College for seven years, have been the head coach at NC for nine years, I coached JO’s at Westerville VBC for eight years, and started New Wave VBC eight years ago," offered Helfer.
Of course, for Helfer, her family and their support and inspiration helps foster a continued family atmosphere in Newark Catholic's program.
"My nine-year old niece, Megan, is about to be the ball girl at my fourth Final Four. My sister, and her mom, Joni, just finished coaching Megan in her first year of volleyball, and they won the championship! My mom comes to almost all of our games, and the kids just love Mama Helfer being around. My brother, Michael, is the men’s basketball coach at Valdosta State University in Georgia, so he and I text quite a bit back & forth about coaching challenges in general. He is my real sounding board. He’s just starting his season, but still hangs on to every match we have up here." Not only is Helfer's family heavily involved and supportive of her efforts in maintaining the excellence that has been presence within the Newark Catholic program since the 70's, but her coaching staff, some of which are part of NC's rich tradition, help keep the program going. "I couldn’t do this without great assistants. My varsity assistant, Ken Fehrman, brings so much to the table. He loves volleyball, and is always challenging me to think outside the box. He pushes the kids in practice, and they love the challenge. My JV coach, Stacey Smith, played at NC back in the day too, so she completely understands the philosophy of developing all the kids and does a great job with it. She helps me all summer long when we have morning lifting or open gyms. She is always there to help ease my burden I put on myself! Our freshmen coach, Joan Strawn, does so much for the kids. Her season has been finished for almost a month, and yet she’s busy this week with her team decorating varsity cars & bedrooms, making goodie bags, and helping feed the team. All of my assistants are amazing!" Newark Catholic has experienced much success in Helfer's tenure at the helm. Her teams boast a 183-39 record in nine seasons, including trips to state in 2004, 2005, 2007, and this year. In 2004 Newark Catholic won a five-game thriller in the semi-finals (17-15 in the fifth game) against Westfall and then beat Rocky River Lutheran West to claim NC's first state title since 1989. In 2005, the school moved to Division 4, returned to state where they lost a heartbreaker in the title game to Sidney Lehman Catholic. Last season, the program returned to the Division 4 Final Four, where they faced a dominant Marion Local squad and lost in three. This season, Helfer and her crew will seek to avenge that loss in a rematch with Marion Local in Friday's semi-final match, which will feature a Marion Local squad that lost most of their players from last year's championship squad. However, Helfer knows that the competition Marion Local faced all season has prepared them well. "I know they are very good again! They have been challenged every day in their league, so we can’t say their young anymore. They play great competition over there that prepares them for the state tourney all fall. They have the same tough defense as last year. They aren’t as tall, but they have some very solid young smart hitters," Helfer offered. "We are trying to fine tune everything this week. Making sure that we are all on the same page, and ready to play. We don’t have a 'horse' per se. We are very balanced, and that makes it more exciting. The team and parents are so focused on team success rather than any individual success it makes it great." For Newark Catholic's fans, getting to the state volleyball tournament is something of a ritual from year-to-year. It is the support of the parents and fans within the school district that Helfer counts on from year-to-year, and something she explains they will need when they face the Flyers on Friday. "We have outstanding fans beginning with our second row dads! They are so much fun," said Helfer. "Unfortunately, our football team didn’t make the playoffs this year, so that will bring even more NC faithful to the Nutter Center this year, and we’ll need every one of them." While its not a new experience for Coach Helfer and her staff, going to the Nutter Center, playing in front of their fans, and having the kids in the spotlight is something that never gets old. "For young players to go to the Nutter Center to get to play is such a thrill for them. The staff at the Nutter Center are so great to work with, and really make the kids feel like they are the stars of the show," exclaimed Helfer.
After all, it is the kids, the players that matter most to her, her staff, and the Newark Catholic family. It is the family atmosphere and hard work that have kept NC in the mix for four decades now, according to Helfer.
"I work hard as the head coach. I make sure my kids are prepared for every season both mentally and physically. We stay in touch with our younger kids in the elementary school programs making sure they know we want them to succeed on their YMCA teams. Most of all I make sure that all of our kids know that I care about them, and want them to be successful on and off the volleyball court." It is a mix of hard work, dedication and fun that the staff at NC values most. "I believe in working hard, but having fun while you do it," said Helfer. "I like to include everyone I possibly can, hate to cut or keep kids down, and hope that I can teach life lessons along the way." So no matter what happens Friday when they face Marion Local, Helfer knows that the tradition and pride that makes Newark Catholic's volleyball program one of those dynasties in Ohio, will carry on for generations to come because of her committment and the commitment of her players and their families. "The kids are willing to work like none other. They put so much time and effort into NC volleyball for years. They believe in it, and believe in themselves. They have been brought up in Newark Catholic families who are several generations of Green Wave, and there is so much pride in being a part of it." It is a formula for success that began brewing in the 1970's and one that seemingly will continue for years to come.
Newark Catholic was ranked #2 in Captain Brinn's final poll this season and will face #5 Marion Local at noon on Friday in The Nutter Center on the campus of Wright State University. #1 Jackson Center and #9 Buckeye Central are the other D4 teams at the final four.
No comments:
Post a Comment