Eaglecrest (CO) and Lewis Central (IA) Push the Pace at Practice

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Eaglecrest Raptors adjust quickly to Iowa style practice- with standout performances from Emary Cooper (IA) and Katie Drugan (CO).</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><br>Setting the Scene: Iowa and Colorado</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anytime I can break out my Iowa gear, I know it's going to be a good day. Add the fact that the action is happening in my very own backyard, and you can bet I am there.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week, I helped coach a quick practice between Eaglecrest and Lewis Central Girls Volleyball- a team located in Council Bluffs, IA, led by long-time Head Coach Mike Bond.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For context, high school volleyball in Iowa is a big deal. Think of high school football in Texas type level. In Iowa many players get their exposure through high school play, especially if they reach it to the state tournament. In contrast, scouting in Colorado mainly happens through club volleyball. Even though Iowa has a strong club scene, most standout players, such as Madi Kubik (Valley High School (IA), University of Nebraska), had built most of their highlight reels from high school matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Drill Overview: High Velocity Freeballs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before play, I told the Eaglecrest girls that Iowa high school ball is more intense - and sure enough, we were in for a treat. Bond had come over and gave us a quick rundown of the drill: whoever wins the rally gets the ball, quick switches, no downtime, and yes- you're going to be exhausted. I clung to those words and thought to myself, it can't be too bad- it was freeballs!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freeballs came at high velocity. Lewis Central tracked and reacted like they were normal paced- while the Eaglecrest girls scrambled to adjust. I loved that with the speed, the girls didn't have time to dwell on mistakes. It was just go, go, go.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eaglecrest team caught on quickly, and Lewis Central continued to push the pace. As the game progressed, the theme became clear: set the hitter who was on fire. And for the other side, do everything you can to stop her.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players to Watch: Cooper and Drugan</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Emary Cooper","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32925","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lewis Central High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Premier Nebraska","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a6a3c64b661"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cooper was quick in her transition off the net and ready to attack every ball given to her. OH or RS, she uses her athleticism to mix up her shots and keep the defense on edge. Notably, her line shot proved to be a go-to weapon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Katie Drugan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32925","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Eaglecrest High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Elevation","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a6a3c64b6fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lefty RS Drugan made her presence known with her ability to attack sharp angles on the court. Her versatility to swing and run an offense on the fly shows she has the tools to be a high-impact player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Making Adjustments</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the speed of play, it was interesting to see how the blocks naturally adjusted to the hitter's tendencies without anyone saying a word. You could see both of the sides' defenses start to flourish as the blockers recognized where to be.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It set a strong tone for both teams, showing just how critical a well-placed block can be in chaotic moments. A block can spark a rally, lead to a great dig, or shut down a hitter instantly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Teamwork</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The girls stayed engaged and sharp throughout the entire practice, finishing clearly worn out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Takeaways from Practice</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Throw freeballs wicked fast. It forces the girls to read and react faster.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Re-emphasize just how important a block can be.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Feed the hot hitter and give her a full tool box to attack the block. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Mike Bond was excellent to learn and watch from, and this session was a valuable test for both programs as they get prepared for their upcoming seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->