Adamson’s Army

September 18, 2009
Filed under Fall Sports, Sports

When informed of former coach Chris Emerling’s retirement at the end of last season, the varsity volleyball team was less than enthusiastic. “Who will be next?” was the big discussion topic for a few solid months. When spring rolled around and there was still no word of a new coach to fill the position, returning varsity players began to sweat. “We didn’t think we’d even have a coach this year. We were all pretty worried,” says sophomore Katie Shreve.

In April, the team was informed of their new volleyball coach – Marisa Adamson. A graduate of Concordia University in Michigan, Coach Adamson played volleyball for one year in college and softball for four. “[Volleyball] isn’t as popular here as it is up north, so the competition level isn’t as intense,” says Adamson. “Softball is about the same.”

This is her fifth year of coaching, and last year she was the assistant junior varsity softball coach. “Playing,” Adamson says, is what got her into coaching.

“We’ve improved a lot this season. She’s experienced and she’s really made us become a team,” says junior Tori Starnes.

So far the Lady Jackets have three region wins and two losses. “She’s brought about a good change,” says left side hitter, Haley Dicks. “She’s tough, but it makes us better.”

Expectations seem to be set high for the varsity volleyball team this season. “I didn’t know what to expect at first,” says the sole freshman, Ashley Townsend. “But she knows what she’s doing and we’re good. We can make play-offs this season for sure.”

Coach Adamson adds, “I expect us to get better every single day.”