We are excited to announce our 2022 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 players and incoming seniors 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. All applicants are notified if they are selected or not. All captains must apply each year, even if they were a captain the year before. They must agree to our Captain’s Expectations to accept the captainship position.
- From there, the captains meet weekly with the coaching staff all summer to prepare for the 2022 season. They complete a leadership book study (this year its “Beyond Grit” by Cindra Kamphoff) and multiple planning tasks (apparel selection, social calendar, training, promotions, etc.). They also help write curriculum for our program this fall where they will lead weekly lessons based on our summer reading to help develop our program as a whole.
- 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 to the community.
Our 2022 captains are as follows:
Abby Zins (Jr. OH): “I would like to be a captain because it would be so much fun to encourage and inspire other girls in the volleyball program. It also would be really cool to help plan events and team bonding activities. I would like to take a bigger role in the volleyball family by showing my commitment and leadership skills.”
Brianna Wille (Sr. DS/L): “Being in a leadership role is a goal of mine. I believe in this school, this program, and the girls involved. I want to show my commitment and dedication by supporting this program as a captain. I would take the captain role very seriously and make sure I represent our team as a positive, strong, and supportive role model. I believe that I can give the volleyball program what it needs. I can hype up players with my fun spunkiness but I also know when to buckle down and be serious when it is needed. I want the younger kids to watch me and learn that you can have a fun time at practice but balance that with focus, attention, and hard work. I want my teammates to be able to come to me for support and know that I will be there for them.”
Julia Siefert (Sr. RH): “I want to be a captain because when I was an underclassman I was really inspired by the captains that I had, they pushed me to be a better player and to always try my best. I want to do the same for all of my teammates.”
Ella Weinzetl (Jr. S/RH): “I’ve always looked up to our captains. I would love the opportunity to be someone that the younger girls can look up to and go to talk about anything. I think that having a trustworthy captain can make the younger girls be much more comfortable with the upperclassmen. I want to set a good example for them and I would love to share knowledge with them and help them be the best version of themselves.”
The coaching staff is already pleased with our group of 2022 captains. “After losing 10 impactful seniors last year, there are many new opportunities for leadership in the program. We’re excited for our 2022 captains and the direction they will take us in!” says Coach Hannah. The captains have already been working hard this summer and have big plans for 2022.
See more about the expectations and requirements of captainship here.
Chisago Lakes Volleyball 