B-PC Volleyball Squad Aiming to Turn the Corner

Entering year two as Bushnell-Prairie City High School head volleyball coach, Chloe Hickle believes the program is turning the corner.

“I know last year I said we would win games and we didn’t,” Hickle admitted. “But this year, I know we will.”

B-PC was winless a season, capturing just one set in 27 matches.

“Last year it was the fundamentals part of it,” said Hickle. “I think now with the varsity level players that I have, they know how I operate.”

“They’ve been with me for two years now and I think this year is our golden year if you will,” she added.

“We have a lot of talent returning and the girls have really stepped up this year,” stated Hickle.

Six seniors graduated from last year’s squad, but a core group of juniors and seniors return to lead the way this fall.

Senior Justice Klinedinst was a Prairieland All-Conference South Division Special Mention honoree a year ago.

She was the team’s leading hitter and second in digs and will be counted on to be an outside hitter and back row passer this season as well.

Junior Mylee Chenoweth steps into the libero role, replacing the graduated Kyra Shamblin, the team’s dig leader from a year ago.

Senior Brynlee Beekman returns as the team’s setter for the second consecutive season. Hickle noted that Beekman played club ball over the winter and is “significantly better at placing the ball.”

Other key pieces returning up front include senior Jules Kreps, along with juniors Triniti Williams and Kendyl McCleery.

It was a busy summer for Hickle and the Spartans.

“I really don’t let them have a break in the summer,” said Hickle. “We do a lot of tournaments.”

“If you go half the year without touching a volleyball and try to go right into season, it’s not going to work. The summer has helped.”

It also included the Spartans winning matches.

“I think we’re going to shock a lot of people this year,” said Hickle. “I don’t think people are going to expect B-PC to win games, even though we already have in the summer.”

Entering year two, Hickle stated that the focus has changed.

“I think the culture here has changed,” she said. “The girls enjoy being here.”

“It’s not so much fundamentals this year,” Hickle added. “It’s about placing the ball, getting to the block.”

Hickle does not dismiss the importance of what she is trying to do with the players and program at B-PC.

“I think one, showing that we care as coaches and that we’re here for them,” said Hickle. “And I think they actually enjoy being pushed.”

“In the summer when we won games, they didn’t even quite know how to react,” she added. “It’s not happened before. So getting that in their heads (is also important).”

“I think a lot of it is just showing up for them and giving them confidence,” Hickle said.

She’s hoping that the feeling of winning will carry over with the players entering fall.

“This year, the mental (aspect) should be changed because we already have won in the summer,” Hickle said.

As for goals and expectations, Hickle asked each girl to write down goals for the season.

“Working together more as a team,” was a prominent one named by the players.

But she will also be asking them to set individual goals for each match.

“Making sure that they’re setting little goals for themselves I think has been a big goal for me,” said Hickle. “Because then they’re thinking about more than just being on the court. They’re more focused.”

But the turnaround is not just going to happen.

“They’re going to have to stay confident and continue to work together,” said Hickle. “I’m trying to work with them to focus more during practice.”

“It’s not just about volleyball,” she added. “You have to make the girls want to show up to practice. You have to be a role model for them. All of those things together will help the program continue to grow.”

“This is pretty much my life from June-November,” said Hickle. “There’s a lot to it.”