For Release: Monday, April 23, 2018

MILWAUKEE – After several months of thorough planning, the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association is excited to announce its inaugural WVCA Spring Clinic, slated for the evening of Thursday, May 3, and all day Friday, May 4, at JustaGame Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells.

Previously, the annual WVCA Coaches Clinic was hosted in early August in Oshkosh and most recently at Lourdes Academy.

“We understand this is a pretty drastic move to an already busy time of the year,” WVCA Executive Director Jay Messar said. “It may take some time to get used to, however, we hope to mirror the clinic success of the other statewide coaches associations, which have all grown exponentially in recent years. This time period should also create new opportunities for offseason planning, and allow for programs to implement new coaching tactics with their teams over the summer months.”

For this inaugural Spring Clinic, the WVCA chose not to enforce its members-only policy for attendees, in hopes to draw interest to the event and association.

“For this first year, we think it is important to give a peek into what this organization can provide coaches and their programs,” Messar said. “This decision aligns with our commitment to growth as we aim to provide the best product we can for our current and potential membership.”

A multitude of Wisconsin volleyball talent with vast playing and coaching experience will headline the event, including Katie (Carrier) Astrauskas from Ripon College, UW-La Crosse head coach Amber Dunn, Natalie (Wildes) Balleto, formerly of Cardinal Stritch University, and Sadie Schradle, head coach at Clayton High School. Topics will range from breakdowns of mechanics, schemes, and strategy, to increasing efficiency and intent through drill-work. Presenters will also focus on specialized techniques for positional players as well as drill implementation for youth levels. The college coaches will also host a recruiting forum for those in attendance.

The WVCA is also pleased to work with strength and conditioning specialists from UW Health Sports Performance, who will present on injury prevention and implementing effective warm-ups. WVCA Executive Director Jay Messar will offer tips and tricks to proper stat-keeping from the sidelines.

“We are excited to offer a myriad of new and dynamic topics for this Spring Clinic,” Messar said. “With a strong foundation of new drills for practices—which Katie, Amber, Natalie, and Sadie will definitely provide—we also wanted to integrate other important aspects of coaching volleyball into this inaugural event.”

The WVCA will hand out conference championship, state tournament qualifier and other coaching achievement awards during the clinic, and host a coaches social event in Wisconsin Dells on Thursday night.

“One of our main focuses with this event is to create is a greater sense of community and strengthen the coaching bonds within our membership,” Messar said. “We have so many great volleyball minds and strategists within Wisconsin’s state borders, and we definitely want to express and showcase these talents to the fullest.”

As the bookend to a busy clinic schedule, the WVCA will host its annual awards banquet to recognize the 2017 All-State honorees and induct the WVCA Hall of Fame Class of 2017. The ceremony will take place on Friday, May 4 at Wild Rock Country Club on the grounds of Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. This year’s inductees are Bev Endreas of Abbotsford, Carol Hanson of West Salem, Doug Hext of Kettle Moraine Lutheran, and Deb Roesler of McDonell Central.

“This year’s Hall of Fame class is truly impressive,” Messar said. “Despite some jaw-dropping win-loss records, these four have wholly encompassed what being a coach and mentor is all about. They managed to build powerhouse programs while focusing on creating good people—not just good players. The WVCA is honored to recognize Bev, Carol, Doug, and Deb as the WVCA Hall of Fame Class of 2017.”

Registration for the inaugural WVCA Spring Clinic and the WVCA Awards Banquet, as well as membership information, can be found on the WVCA website: www.wvcawi.net.

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