GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids and the OK Conference are home to some of the top coaches in the state of Michigan when it comes to girls volleyball and a few of them have been coaching at the high school level since the turn of the century! We highlight a few of them this week while also posting the new Top-10 and a reflection at the previous week.

Coaching at the high school level and especially the varsity one has become more demanding and time consuming than ever. The dedication and sacrifice it takes to build not only a successful team but entire program from the youth through varsity is something that not many are able to do on a consistent basis year in, year out but these five have combined for over 100 years of coaching in and around the Grand Rapids area.

We take a look at their paths of coaching and asked them some questions to get to them know a little more.

Nicole Bayle – Fruitport (19th year as Varsity Coach all at Fruitport)

  • Overall Record – 566-285-5
  • Team Accomplishments
    • 11 conference championships as a head coach, 9 District Championships, 5 Regional Championships  2 State Titles (as a head coach)
  • One Memory that stands out
    • Playing wise – HAS to be the comeback against North Branch in 2010 to win our first state championship under my helm. It was an iconic 5 game match in the semifinals and were down like 4-10 in game 5 and came back to win. My team executed a PERFECT game strategy, stuck to it all through the match and we took down a giant that year. 
    • Off the Court – Our trips to Traverse City camping and spending time with each other. Each year is unique but we always come home with priceless memories and a team bond like no other. 
  • What drives you to coach after all these years?
    • THE PLAYERS! I always believe that at Fruitport High School I have the opportunity to coach the best kids. I love the growth and development of players that love the game of volleyball. I like to think that the players that play on my team will fully understand the game and can outsmart the opponent. Fruitport is known for playing as the underdog and taking down the big teams, and I believe it is because of the buy-in of our kids! 
  • What does it mean to coach at your Alma mater?
    • It means everything!! I started coaching in the first place because I believe that Fruitport High School and its volleyball program made me the person that I am today. I carry that with me every time I walk into our gym. I want the sport of volleyball to grow and develop our young athletes into strong, confident individuals because that is what it did for me. 
  • What has changed in the sport over the last 20-25 years?
    • SO MANY THINGS! First it was the rally scoring, and the doubles on first contact… yes, you used to get called for a double on a first contact back in the day…The Let Serve, THE SEASON, year around club, the uniforms, we used to wear t-shirts!!!
  • What is the biggest impact you feel you can have on the kids you coach?
    • First, teaching them to be responsible to a team, this has so many later in life connections. Great teammates are great life partners, and successful employees! Second, teaching kids they can do hard things, things that they felt like they could never do are possible with discipline and hard work. 

 

Kelly Delacher – Rockford (31st season as Varsity Coach at FH Northern, Northview and now Rockford)

  • Overall Record – 1221-488-36
  • Team Accomplishments
    • 2-time state champion (2002 at FHN and 2011 at Rockford)
    • 4-time state runner-up
    • 20 district championships
    • 11 conference championships
  • One Memory that stands out
    • Our trips to state finals stand out the most. It is fun seeing our players get to the highest level and compete under pressure.
  • What drives you to coach after all these years?
    • I love the game and love being able to pass on that love for the game to my players.
  • What did it mean (and still) to coach your daughters?
    • It has been a great experience. There are certainly ups and downs, but overall it is great to be able to spend the amount of time together that we have experiencing our love for the game as a family. 
  • What has changed in the sport over the last 20-25 years?
    • The level of play has changed dramatically. The game is more physical and played much faster. Top players are now playing on high level club teams year round and have advanced the game. Our area has seen huge success on a National level. Before, top college, club, and HS teams were primarily located on the West Coast. Now a majority of top College, High School, and Club programs come from the Midwest.
  • What is the biggest impact that you feel you can have on the kids you coach
    • Over the years, my philosophy has changed from just teaching volleyball skills and trying to win, to more of instilling life lessons such as discipline, resilience, teamwork, accountability, empathy, and humility which are qualities that will have a big impact in their careers, families, and communities
  • Share a funny memory over the years of coaching\
    • a funny albeit a bit scary moment at the time, back in 2003 with an undefeated season on the line in our Regional final match, our best player was so sick during our match. We had only lost 3 sets the entire season. We lost the 1st set of a 2/3 match, then barely won the 2nd set. Our middle hitter after the 2nd set sprinted to the garbage can by the door and vomitted. She walked right back into the huddle, wiped her mouth on her jersey and said I’m ready to go, we aren’t losing. She went on to dominate the game and we won the 3rd set 15-0 in old side out scoring.

 

Missy Ritz-Johnson – Byron Center (18th year as Varsity Coach at Kenowa Hills, Caledonia (two stints) and now Byron Center)

  • Overall Record – N/A
  • Team Accomplishments
    • 5 District titles total between Kenowa, Caledonia and BC – and 1 regional title while at Kenowa Hills
  • One Memory that stands out
    • At KH my first season  13-22 record – District and Regional Champs!  The person putting the program together for the state tourney, back then as the quarters, semis and finals were all in Kalamazoo, asked if our record was backwards – nope, we won 9 regular season games, we were 9-21, then won or district and upset FHN in the regionals!
  • What is it like coaching your daughter?
    • I love coaching my daughter because it gives us a special opportunity to share this time of her life.  I have coached other people’s children for 34 years, I am very grateful for the opportunity to coach my own daughter. It was never my plan,  and when I “retired” in 2019 from Caledonia, I truly thought I was done coaching. This opportunity presented itself at BC and it has been a wonderful blessing to coach at BC and to have Mallory on my team!  Mallory is very motivated and hardworking player, she is a leader, so therefore “easy” to coach.  This season she is not playing in her natural position so that makes it more challenging for her and then of course myself and my coaching staff to make sure we support her and encourage her through her inexperience in her new position.
  • What has changed in the sport over the last 20-25 years?
    • The growth of volleyball, not only in West Michigan but the country has been so awesome.  It has become so popular with female athletes and even with fans – male and female.  We are blessed in West Michigan with our local colleges all playing excellent volleyball, club volleyball’s growth has been so big and then of course having a pro team in our community.  Boys also now playing volleyball is another sign of the sports popularity.
  • What is the biggest impact you feel you can have on the kids you coach?
    • Volleyball is special because it is such a team sport. You will not see one player dominate a match – the only way to be successful is to have teammates working together – That one big hitter is only successful because someone dug the ball and set the ball – often times 3 different people working together to score for the team.  I love to spend time with my team growing their mindsets and helping them to be the best teammates that they can be. High school sports are an extension of the classroom. High school volleyball and club volleyball are different, and I love them both.  I love investing in my players minds, spending time in the classroom to work on our mindset, making sure that we are representing our community well.  We work hard to be wonderful role models to the younger kids in our community.  I want every player in my program, even if they only spend one year on the freshman team, to have life long positive memories about their time spent in the BC volleyball program.

 

Aaron Smaka – Grand Haven (18th year as Varsity coach all at Grand Haven)

  • Overall Record – 671-306-7
  • Team Accomplishments
    • Two-time MHSAA State runner-up
    • 3 Regional Championships
    • 16 District Championships (in 18 years!!)
    • 3 OK Red Conference Championships
  • One Memory that stands out
    • So many good memories, obviously making it to Battle Creek is always a great experience, but that is not why we are here. I am so lucky to be in a great program with athletes who work hard, parents and administrators who are supportive and I love the challenge of building a team who plays their best volleyball every November and enjoys the journey of the season.  I cherish the time in the gym with the athletes, love having many alumni back to coach in our program and watching our athletes grow as humans and competitors.
    • From season to season, the Battle on the Boardwalk is always a great community event (now in it’s 13th year) and a highlight of our season. Coaching my daughter (Taylor) and winning a regional championship with her on the team would also be way up there……  
  • What drives you to coach after all these years?
    • Love our program, our athletes and watching them progress throughout the years.  Enjoy building teams and all the things that go into a season
  • What was it like to coach your kids?
    • Got to coach Cayden as boys volleyball started in Michigan.  Being a significant part of the growth of Boys Volleyball in the state of Michigan has been pretty cool to be a part of – then add to that being able to watch Cayden gravitate towards the sport he really didn’t show much interest in early on.  Coaching Taylor was fun – we always had a really good relationship and I truly enjoyed it.  Now seeing her play at Northern and take her game to the next level is cool.  Also, this summer she came back and has done a bunch of coaching at Grand Haven.  Jordan was also a part of the program and was a statistician for Grand Haven for three years!
  • What has changed in the sport over the last 20-25 years?
    • The speed and athleticism of the game continues to evolve. The growth of women’s sport has been outstanding and the coverage of the sport continues to expand.  Our athletes can now watch college volleyball most days!
  • What is the biggest impact you feel you can have on the kids you coach?
    • I want our athletes to grow as humans and gain skills that will help them throughout their lives.  We always talk about the fact that there is no perfect season.  There will be adversity and how we react to and respond to those challenges says everything about us. Being a part of something bigger than yourself is not something all athletes get – and it is special when you can see you can impact your team no matter your role. I love it when our coaches come back and coach for us.  They truly feel as though they are giving back to a program that meant something to them.  

 

Teresa VanDerSchaaf – South Christian (11th year as Varsity Coach  at Hudsonville and South Christian)

  • Overall Record – 390-160-10
  • Team Accomplishments
    • 1 Regional, 7 District and 3 OK-Red Conference titles
  • One Memory that stands out
    • A lot of memories come to my mind over the years. Some are vivid memories of big matches against competitive teams, some are coaching D1 athletes and playing against some of the best players in the state. But my favorite memories are simply just spending time with the team. Funny inside jokes come to my mind, laughing on the bus while I make them do crazy team chats, going to bonding events outside of the gym, traveling to the east side of the state and staying in hotels. Those are the memories that I hold near to my heart.
  • How did your playing experience help transition into coaching?
    • In my time as an athlete, I’ve held almost every role on a team. I’ve been a starter, a nonstarter, a captain, a role player and also competed in high pressure matches like when we played in the final four my senior year at Hope. In a lot of ways, I feel as though I can relate to each player on the team no matter the role they play. 
  • What brought you back into coaching after stepping away for a few years to focus on your family?
    • When I stepped away, my family’s life looked very differently than it does now. Then, I was juggling working full time, growing our family and living far from the school. God quickly opened a lot of doors for us which allowed me to cut back on working hours and led us to a new home where we ultimately grow roots in the South Christian community. Once we felt settled, it quickly became apparent that a passion of mine was missing. With the support of my husband and family, I made the transition back into the head coaching role again. Coaching in the community where my family will be raised has been a fun new adventure that I feel very lucky to be a part of!
  • What has changed in the sport over the last 10-15 years?
    • Well to start, when I first started, stats were kept on paper and we recorded on flip cameras – ha! But truly the level and speed of the game have grown tremendously. With the club world growing as much as it has, the volleyball I.Q. of current athletes is through the roof. Athletes are playing more and getting more touches now than they ever have. It’s fun to be able to talk strategy with athletes and brainstorm together. It’s collaborative, which is fun. I also have noticed the community awareness and the fan attendance growing as well. The sport of volleyball is continuing to grow and it’s awesome to see!
  • What is the biggest impact you feel you can have on the kids you coach?
    • I have had a lot of opportunities to coach various places, but my heart is coaching inside of the high school. I see it as a privilege that I get to walk alongside these athletes, in a community we share, seeing them daily and helping them maneuver through life. Volleyball is the love that brings us all together, but ultimately, it’s my goal that these girls see that their value is not as an athlete, it’s as a daughter of Christ. Nothing makes me happier than seeing an alumni that I have coached becoming a wife or mom, or traveling the world and experiencing life. My coaching style is heavy in our core values, leadership/spiritual development and personal growth. If I can have just even a small impact in making these girls better servant-leaders and Christ followers, then I consider it a job well done.

 

MSR Weekly Top-10 Poll – OK Conference and River Cities Alliance

  1. Rockford  – Kicks off OK-Red play this week
  2. Lowell – 3-0 week ahead of a big weekend at the East-West
  3. Jenison – Big matchup Thursday at home vs Byron Center
  4. Grand Haven – won the GH Invite, going 6-0, have won 11 in a row
  5. FH Northern – 6-0 week including tourney title at Caledonia
  6. GR Christian – fell at home in 5-sets to Hudsonville
  7. Byron Center – Opened OK-Green play with 3-set sweep of Caledonia
  8. Hudsonville – beat GR Christian on the road
  9. Zeeland East – Off to a fantastic start this season at 15-2
  10. GR Catholic Central – went 3-1 at West Ottawa Invite

Honorable Mention – Holland Christian, East GR, Caledonia, South Christian, Mona Shores,  Northview, Fruitport

 

The week that was….

  • Hudsonville went on the road to take down GR Christian in a 5-set thriller
  • FH Northern opened league play with a 4-set win over GR Catholic Central and then won the tourney at Caledonia
  • Byron Center kicked off our “match of the week” broadcast with a 3-0 sweep of Caledonia
  • Grand Haven took down West Ottawa 3-0 in the OK Red opener and then went 6-0 at their home invitational, beating Zeeland East in three in the finals
  • Zeeland East moves into the Top-10 ranking as they have won 15 of 17 while only two losses are to Grand Haven

 

The week ahead….

Tuesday

  • OK Black – Unity Christian vs. Holland and Zeeland West vs. Zeeland East
  • OK White – FHN vs FHC and GR Christian vs FHE
  • OK Gold – Northview vs. Wayland, South Christian vs. West Catholic
  • River Cities – Coopersville vs. Greenville and Cedar Springs vs. Lowell

Thursday

  • OK Green Jenison vs. Byron Center and Mona Shores vs Caledonia
  • OK Red – Hudsonville vs. Grandville and Grand Haven vs. East Kentwood and Rockford vs. West Ottawa
  • OK Silver – Calvin Christian vs. NorthPointe Christian and Fruitport vs. Hopkins

 

Saturday – East vs. West Tourney hosted by Legacy VBC