The 2024 Dee-Mack volleyball team has had quite a successful season. Starting off with a few tough losses, the chiefs have come back and ended up in the top 50 in the state of Illinois. With a new coach this year, the dynamic of the team was a completely different start.
Addie Patton is the new head coach this year. She played on the Dee-Mack volleyball team for her entire high school career from 2014-2017. These teams were one the most successful volleyball teams in the school’s history. In an interview with Coach Patton and Coach Reiman, they were asked what they think a big factor in their success has been this year. Coach Reiman states that the players have the same routine before every practice. This consists of stretching, hitting back and forth, and every position warming up together. This leads into a good practice which is momentum for their next game. Patton also says that they have a routine for every practice and players know what is expected of them. “Players have a good work ethic that even in practice, if something isn’t going right, they can address the issue and fix it.” Coach Patton was also asked what she is hoping to bring to the program as a new coach. She wants to bring competitiveness, work ethic, and a new level of volleyball.
Many players from the 2023 team returned this year and are a big part in this current team’s success. Junior, Dalia Dejesus mentions that Coach Patton has brought many positive things to the team this year. She states that Patton brings lots of good advice and she is very constructive as a coach. Dejesus also explains that Coach Patton helps the girls be disciplined. Dalia’s favorite memory from the season so far is time with the team in between tournament games. She says that the team sits together to eat and chat before the next game. Jaelyn Nunley was asked about what she thinks has been an important aspect of the team’s success this year. She points out that the team is able to come together and play as one when it matters most. She says that in some of their toughest games, when it really matters the most, the girls are able to play as a team and get done what is necessary to pull out a win. Jorden Templeton was asked the same question and says that the teams’ success was built on togetherness and bringing skill from previous years. She adds that the girls continue to improve, building on their skill from last year.
Strength and conditioning coach, Cody Myers, states that the girls’ work ethic is something that he is very proud of. His motivation for them is to “continue to try and get better especially during the season. Push forward to being in the best shape reaching the greatest potential by regionals so that can showcasing their skill and talent can happen.”
There has been great involvement from the public with supporting this group of girls. Coach Patton looked back on her high school days and noticed that the consistency of community support is something that has not changed over the years. The support from the students, teachers, and community is consistent and something that the team is really grateful for. The community has poured into this team by attending games and helped out for fundraisers like the chicken dinner and Volley for the Cure. Volley for the Cure night is one of the biggest games of the year. This night is for honoring those the are battling or have lost their lives to breast cancer. There was a great amount of money raised through the ball toss at half time, donations, admission, goodie bags, and the 50/50 raffle, all to support this great cause.
Come out to support the volleyball team will in the HOIC tournament! It will be hosted at home in Dallas Davis Gymnasium on October 22nd and 24th. They then will compete in regionals soon after, hoping for a ride to sectionals and state!
