We are excited to announce our 2021 volleyball captains!
The selection process is not easy. We follow the same process as many programs at CLHS and using recommendations from the Minnesota State High School League:
- Each spring, all returning Varsity are emailed an application and an explanation of the process. They have two weeks to submit applications to our coaching staff including short essay questions, references, leadership experience, and ideas for the program.
- The coaches review the applications, discuss our experiences with each applicant, reach out to references provided by the applicants, and ask the applicants follow-up questions when necessary. Then the coaching staff makes the captain selection based on athlete’s leadership experience, mentorship capabilities, work ethic in the gym, and other notable qualities. There is no voting by players (this becomes a popularity contest). All applicants are notified if they made it or not. All captains must apply each year, even if they were a captain the year before.
- From there, the captains meet weekly with the coaching staff all summer to prepare for the 2021 season. They go through a leadership book study (this year it’s Energy Bus by Jon Gordon), their handbook/expectations, and multiple planning tasks (apparel selection, social calendar, virtual training, promotions, etc.). They also help write curriculum for our program this fall where they will lead weekly lessons from our summer reading to help develop our program’s team-oriented skills.
- The captains also meet weekly with the coaching staff during the season for communication and connection to the team. They will continue planning events for the group, helping mentor and teach the younger girls, and representing the program as a whole to the community.
Our 2021 captains are as follows:
Avery Dresel: “I am submitting an application to be a captain for the Chisago Lakes Volleyball program because I think it is very important to set a mature, hard working example for the younger grades in the program. I believe I can demonstrate to the best of my abilities what a dedicated volleyball player and leader looks like. A sports program thrives upon unity and collaboration. Without a captain of the team, how would these characteristics continue to reoccur in the program?”
Kalley Vugteveen: “I think I would benefit the program by providing leadership and organization to the program. I want to provide an example for younger girls coming into the program of what a successful student athlete looks like and get to know our program better.”
Allison Gregory: “I would like to be a captain of the Chisago Lakes volleyball program because I love taking the role of leadership and I want to make a comfortable environment for the whole entire program. I don’t want any girls to feel left out or not wanted. We are all one team, not 4 teams, we’re in it together. I would also love to be a role model for the whole program with how to act, show leadership, and having a great attitude.”
Ashley Peltier: “I want to be captain of the Chisago Lakes Volleyball Program because when I was in 8th grade and got pulled up to the JV team I was nervous because I was the youngest person in the whole program and didn’t really know anyone. After the first week I already felt like part of the family thanks to the captains. I want to help the incoming volleyball players and the returning players feel like one big family.”
The coaching staff is very pleased with our group of 2021 captains. “After losing 9 outstanding seniors last year, the question of leadership was a concern for this season. These captains have stepped up tremendously already and we know they will do great things for 2021!” says Coach Hannah. The captains have already been working hard this summer and are excited for what the 2021 season has in store.
See more about the expectations and requirements of captainship here.
Chisago Lakes Volleyball 