Edinburg volley team has winning potential
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
EDINBURG — Members of the 2021 Edinburg High School volleyball team are, in front, Brianna Drnjevic, Myla Bigelow, Jordyn Alcala, Gianna Pop and Lilly Wake. In back, Assistant Coach O’Brien, ReJeana Carriker, Ryleigh Davidson, Alexus Montgomery, Julianna Orr, Jara Shoulders, Kennady Watson and Head Coach Brooke Brandis.
EDINBURG — First-year head coach Brooke Brandis is looking forward to an Edinburg High School volleyball team which offers a lot of promise and enthusiasm.
“This team has a lot of potential and the mindset to win,” said the coach. “They have been working hard and focusing on all the new drills and defense/offense that I have brought to the program. There is a lot of talent in this program and the girls have put in the work during the last few months. I’m excited to see where the season is going to take us.”
Brandis started coaching five years ago with the Springfield Shock and doing private lessons there. Most recently, for the past two sea- sons, she was an assistant coach in Taylorville.
“This is my first year coaching at the varsity level. I became a coach because I wanted to stay around the sport that I love and hopefully share my love and enthusiasm with the girls I come in contact with,” Brandis said. “I picked to coach at Edinburg because I wanted to further my coaching career and be a part of a program that I can make my own and to make a difference.”
She said her Wildcats team has been working hard and has great potential.
“This team has a lot of potential and the mindset to win. They have been working hard and focusing on all the new drills and defense/offense that I have brought to the program,” the coach said. “There is a lot of talent in this program and the girls have put in the work during the last few months. I’m excited to see where the season is going to take us.”
There will be four seniors who hold the key to this year’s team.
“Juli Orr, Jordyn Alcala and Myla Bigelow are the three returning seniors and they are playing big spots this season,” said Brandis. “We also gained another sen- ior this year, Alexus Montgomery, who has had a big voice this summer. She brings lots of energy to this group and keeps the girls focused on the court.”
She expects those seniors to provide the leadership they need.
“I will be looking towards the four seniors for leader- ship. They have really stepped up this summer and been vocal with the underclassman,” says the coach. “All four have a different leadership style and they show them every day at practices when stepping up in drills and modeling the skills and expectations that are expected of them.”
In addition to her seniors, Brandis believes she will see contributions from all of the underclassmen.
“There is a lot of talent in the underclassmen players so I am expecting a lot of hard work and dedication for them to help build this program,” she commented.
As for key match-ups this season, the coach is looking forward to all six home matches. “To be on our home court is always an advantage and I’m ready for the girls to show all their fans and supporters what we have been working on.”
Brandis is excited to get the ball tipped off and show off the new look Wildcats.
“I am excited to bring a new look and style of volleyball to Edinburg. I’m ready to bring energy and a new positive outlook to this program,” she commented.
