Schulte takes reigns of 2009 BHS squad

The 2009 Bloomfield High School varsity volleyball team includes (front row, from left) Ariel Fuller, Shelby Gott, Kendra Spelts, Hallie Retseck and Cariena Rosalez. The back row (from left) includes Holly Zschiedrich, Elyse Weddle, Letitia Poe, Taylor Gilmore and Sarah Scott. (By B.J. Hargis/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

BLOOMFIELD -- For the last two seasons, Susie Schulte has been coaching the Bloomfield Junior High School volleyball team.

But Schulte will again be in charge of the Bloomfield High School varsity squad. She has compiled a 147-88 record in her seven previous seasons, the last in 2006 when the Lady Cardinals rallied to win the sectional.

"It's not about me, it is about the girls," said Schulte, whose teams at BHS have won five sectionals. "I am really fortunate that I know most of the girls. The seniors were freshmen which I coached in 2006. I have coached the freshmen and sophomores in junior high. The juniors I got to know when I coached in the sectional last year."

She will have 10 returning players from last year's 9-22 squad, including three seniors.

Shelby Gott is in her fourth season on the varsity. The 5-6 back row specialist will play the Libero position, according to Schulte.

"She is very competitive," Schulte said of Gott. "She wants to win at all costs.

"She will get on the floor. She has a mean serve that is about four inches off the net. Shelby will again be one of our best servers. She also has been working on hitting out of the back row."

Elyse Weddle is the tallest Lady Cardinal at 5-10. The senior will be expected to be a force in the front row.

"She is hitting the ball with more power," Schulte said. "She has about as much power as any kid that I have ever coached. She hits a lot like Melissa Dyal or Lindsay Secrest.

"We have worked on her getting away from tipping. We want her to hit the ball hard. She has to play the ball instead of letting the ball play her. She is controlling the ball better where it is. I expect her to be dominant this year."

Senior Holly Zschiedrich has never been able to play a full season because of knee problems, according to Schulte.

"Holly will probably serve for Cariena and play in the back row here and there," said Schulte. "I don't want to put her softball career in jeopardy.

"We will just take it a game a time with her."

Junior Kendra Spelts will be the setter in a 5-1 offense.

"She is our spark plug," Schulte said of the 5-3 Spelts. "She finally has figured it out.

"We have nine plays, but she is finally starting to go away from those and ad lib when necessary. Our hitters are running quicks and slides. She is more of a coach on the floor. She can be really good if she continues to develop."

Schulte said that 5-2 junior Cariena Rosalez will play a major role this year. She added that Rosalez will play all-around, but won't serve.

Hallie Retseck, a 5-3 junior, will play in the back row for the Lady Cardinals.

"She is a very good passer," said Schulte. "She has good communication skills and will be calling out plays in the back row, along with Shelby."

Coach said that passing and serve receive are always crucial.

"We have to be consistent with our serve receive," said Schulte. "Our serving will be good and our offense should be a strength.

"If we can pass the ball, we can hit it."

Taylor Gilmore, a 5-7 sophomore, will make the move from opposite hitter to middle hitter.

"We have been working with Taylor to improve her hitting," said Schulte. "She is hitting better at running slides, something she could not do last year.

"She is catching on quick."

Letitia Poe is a strong side hitter. The 5-7 junior has shown improvement, according to Schulte.

"She has improved a bunch. She has been working with a swing coach," Schulte said of Poe. "Her swing is more consistent.

"She has a much better reach. She swings really hard. We just need to work on keeping the ball in play."

Ariel Fuller, a junior who will play in the back row, is a very steady player, according to Schulte.

"She just consistently does her job, said Schulte. "She is a very consistent passer and is a leader in the back row."

Junior Sarah Scott is recovering from having heart surgery in the summer.

"Her heart was beating too fast and they went through her thigh," said Schulte. "She has not been able to be here through the summer.

"She will be a strong side hitter. She will serve for us. She has good, hard serve. She will get stronger. That will come with time."

Schulte added that at least two JV players will dress for every varsity contest.

"The kids are working hard," she said. "But we also are having fun.

"With our schedule, we are not going to get 20 wins. When you play teams like Martinsville, Terre Haute South, Owen Valley, Bloomington South and Bedford, it helps prepare you for the tournament. Our goals is not to beat 4A teams, but get better from playing 4A teams. Our goal is the same as always -- bring home hardware. We have to continue to work hard and improve every day."

Bloomfield

Volleyball Roster

Name Ht. Gr.

Shelby Gott 5-6 12

Elyse Weddle 5-10 12

Holly Zschiedrich 5-8 12

Ariel Fuller 5-4 11

Letitia Poe 5-7 11

Cariena Rosalez 5-2 11

Hallie Retseck 5-3 11

Sarah Scott 5-8 11

Kendra Spelts 5-3 11

Taylor Gilmore 5-7 10

Coach: Susie Schulte (eight seasons, 147-88).