By Kyle LoJacono
Winning has been synonymous with Steinbrenner volleyball since the school opened in 2009.
The Warriors have collected three district championships in as many years without a single loss to a league opponent. In fact, they’ve only dropped one set in district play.
Steinbrenner has averaged more than 21 victories per season while dropping only 20 contests. Last year was one of the most successful, winning a program-record 24 matches to five losses while claiming the Fivay Volleyball Classic tournament and making consecutive regional semifinals.
All but four players return, but the face guiding the squad is new.
Laura Stegenga was named the squad’s coach this summer following the resignation of Jennifer Graham, who moved to Alabama with her husband, Floyd, to take care of sick family members. Graham was an assistant for two years before becoming the Warriors’ coach.
Stegenga, 24, has been coaching since age 18 and spent last year leading the junior varsity program at Gaither.
“The girls are great; I enjoy every second with them,” Stegenga said. “It was exactly what I thought it was going to be. It’s high level. With my coaching background I think I have a lot to offer them, and I think they have a lot to offer me.”
Junior setter Casey McLean (832 assists, 79 digs) said Stegenga is very motivating.
“Although coach Graham and I are really close, I think she’s one of the best coaches I’ve had in my life, I think Laura’s personality is really suited for our girls,” McLean said. She added, “Coach Graham was more like a mother coach, and (Stegenga) is more like sister coach.”
Senior outside hitter Madison Seuzeneau (341 kills) added, “I think she’s doing a great job. She has big shoes to fill. It’s a little bit different right now coming in with a brand new coach, but I think we’re adjusting well.”
Stegenga is having the players keep journals to help learn their personalities.
“You can talk to her about anything in your journal,” McLean said. “She reads them and responds. You can draw pictures and just silly stuff, but it’s also a good way to vent.”
Stegenga said the squad is “very strong offensively” despite losing two big frontliners from last year. Outside hitter Miranda Powell (309 kills, 162 digs, 90 aces) signed a scholarship to play at Florida Atlantic University, while middle hitter Bailey Hooker (60 blocks, 55 kills) is focusing on basketball.
Sophomore middle hitter Lauren Heldt (62 kills, 54 aces, 50 blocks) returns after splitting time with Hooker last year. Junior Rachel Mathison (145 kills, 137 digs, 24 blocks) moves from rightside hitter to bolster the outside spot with Seuzeneau.
“Rachel is hitting the ball hard and finds the right spots,” McLean said. “She’s a natural born outside.”
Playing rightside is harder for right-handed players like Mathison because the ball has to travel across their body before they can strike it.
“It’s easy because I played outside the year before, so actually last year was kind of weird on the rightside,” Mathison said. “I’ll play anywhere, so it’s OK.”
Stegenga said the defense has been a focus early on.
“I have to get them out of their individual mode of I can do this,” Stegenga said. “It needs to be we can do this. … Serve, serve receive and defense is how you start the game. They’re going to get sick of hearing that from me, but that’s the next level for them. All my hitters hit very successfully, and they’re really smart hitters. Now we have to get the ball to the setter. The offense will be slow if the ball isn’t getting where it needs to.”
A big factor in that defense is senior libero Natalia Campos (149 digs). She replaces three-year starter Cary Anne Bame (262 digs), who was named the All-Laker/All-Lutz News Volleyball Player of the Year in 2011 as a senior.
“As a libero you have to own the court, and (Bame) owned the court,” Campos said. “I’m ready to take on that responsibility this year. It’s hard shoes to fill, but I think I can do it.”
Campos has been putting in countless hours this summer to get ready.
“No social life at all, which I’m fine with because I love it,” Campos said with a smile.
Stegenga sees the qualities in Campos that are needed to be a libero.
“She has a strong personality, but that personality is what doesn’t break, and you need your libero to not break,” Stegenga said. “She is a very strong-willed person on and off the court.”
The Warriors are especially ready to start the season because of how last year ended. They took the first set in the regional semis and were up 6-0 in the second against Clearwater at home, but ended up dropping a five-set marathon.
“I think this year we’re not going to let it get to that point,” Mathison said. “We’re going to work even harder to powerhouse through and win the first three so we don’t feel like that again.”
McLean said the opportunity to add to the program’s resume is also motivating.
“You see those years under the district on our banner up there?” McLean said. “We’re hoping to get something in that regionals area this year.”
Steinbrenner opens the regular season at home against Sickles on Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. The Class 7A-District 9 tournament is at Gaither Oct. 22 to 25, with the championship match on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.
—Stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches
Steinbrenner roster
No. Player Pos. Yr. Ht.
2 Madison Powell RS/DS Jr. 5-10
3 Casey McLean S Jr. 5-6
4 Natalia Campos L Sr. 5-5
5 Avery Bradshaw OH/RS So. 5-9
6 Rachel Mathison OH/RS Jr. 6-0
8 Kayla Shaw DS/OH Sr. 5-8
9 Ryann Martin MH/RS So. 5-10
12 Lauren Heldt MH So. 6-1
13 Brooke Royals S So. 5-7
15 Madison Seuzeneau OH Sr. 5-10
