Gaining experience through a difference perspective

MEQUON, Wis. – When a student-athlete has an opportunity to see the game from a different point of view, they most will likely become a better player. You may have noticed that this past season at Concordia University Wisconsin, as volleyball players were using their club coaching experiences to become better players and teammates.

Nearly half of the varsity roster at CUW coach at the club level for Wisconsin Premier Volleyball Club, an organization co-founded by assistant coach Alex Uhan. It was noticeable during the fall, that many of the Falcons were anticipating what was to come, communicating better with teammates and had a maturity level well beyond their age.

It is said that when a player can see the game from the eyes of a coach they understand all aspects of the game better. Many of the student-athletes at CUW began coaching club volleyball after graduating from high school and even took on the responsibility less than two years ago. There is one thing that every player turned club coach at CUW will tell you, "I understand the game differently".

Many of the Falcon players mentor players at WPVC who are aged 16 and under, and some work together as co-coaches to teach the fundamentals and team work.

"It is definitely to a player's advantage to be a player and a club coach," junior Amanda Lehnerz said. "You can get more exposure to the game and you can better understand things. When you are a coach you can focus not only on your team, but also on the other team and what they are doing. But when you are a player you worry just about yourself and your teammates. It is important to analyze all aspects of the game and sometimes we forget about that when playing. It has helped me look at the bigger picture."

All of the Falcons are specialized in one position and coaching club helps them learn about different positions on the court they may not be an expert in. Example being sophomore Kaily Moegenburg, who this past season at CUW transitioned from an outside hitter to a middle blocker and then back to an outside hitter. Not only did she have to learn a different position, but she relied on her club coaching experience and the knowledge she had to make the transition easier.

"I understand more why our coaching staff does what they do," Moegenburg expressed. "Now I focus more on the fundamentals of the game when I play more than in the past. When I am coaching I am thinking of every aspect of what is happening on the court and everything little thing that needs to be done to be successful."

Moegenburg is joined on the bench by former teammate Mary Heinz and the duo coaches 14-year-old players. While both were outside/middle hitters during their careers they rely on their teammates to help at times with skills they haven't necessarily perfected, say setting.

Nevertheless, working with younger players allows the CUW club coaches to teach the correct fundamentals and stress what team work can do for the overall success of a unit.

"It is easier to break the bad habits of the younger players and get them to do the fundamentals correctly and at a higher level of play," sophomore Terese Zymanek said.

"The number one thing I teach my players is team work," said Lehnerz. "It is really important they understand how to work as a team because they are in eighth grade (she coaches 14-year-olds) and will be transitioning into high school. I remember when I was that age I didn't have a lot of success at the club level and I don't want my players to have that same experience. They need to understand we are in this together and we do things as a team."

Coaching the fundamentals and stressing team work is something every club coach does, but this past season there was something different about the CUW volleyball team. They had a sense of confidence that not seen the year prior and most of that can be attributed to success, but also club coaching experiences.

"In the beginning of last year when I started coaching club I was nervous because I wasn't sure if they were going to listen to me because 13-year-olds can be a little crazy sometimes," Zymanek stated. "This upcoming club season I am more confident in my coaching abilities and what to expect. One thing that is different now is I am more vocal as a player because of my coaching experiences."

With confidence sometimes comes leadership and more responsibility, which was the case for Moegenburg. She earned the title of captain for the Falcons in 2015, despite her sophomore status.

"Two years ago as a freshman I just did what I was told to do," Moegenburg said reflecting back on her rookie season. "This last season, having more of a leadership and captain's role, the coaching staff and myself had more of a give-and-take relationship in regards to making our team better. I don't feel like I am just a sophomore. I just feel older. We didn't have many upperclassmen this past season and when coaching club, even though my players are five years younger than me, I feel more like an adult. I have to take care of my club players, watch after them and make them better.

Off the court family, friends and even their coaches will tell the CUW club coaches they act older than they are. There are a lot of factors to maturity and some of that can be attributed to gaining more experience.

"Any time you can become a role model at a young age for children, it's huge," Uhan said. "I think there isn't anything better for an athlete in college to do than help the younger kids who want to learn the game. The way our CUW players coach their team is good because they also get respect from the parents and that is huge."

"As a club coach working with 14-year-old players it puts you in a position where you have to be an adult and be mature about things," Lehnerz stated. "Coaching club is great experience for the 'real world'."