Summer workouts pump up Jackson

MILL CREEK

The Jackson volleyball team has put in the hours.

Many of the Timberwolves attended training sessions this summer prior to the start of the season.

In addition to working with second-year coach Erik Champoux, the players also focused on conditioning with a personal trainer he brought in.

The results are encouraging.

“They’re a lot more athletic than they were last year and they’re a lot more knowledgeable,” Champoux said.

Many of the players were involved in club volleyball in the offseason and Jackson also went to a team camp.

A major asset for Jackson are the eight returning players with varsity experience.

“Every single one of the returning players have varsity experience,” Champoux said. “They all got significant playing time. That helps a lot.”

The Wolfpack will send out a tall and imposing lineup that includes 6-foot-5 junior Christy Cain, and 6-2 sophomore Leigh-Ann Haataja.

Haataja was called up from junior varsity late last season and played in the district tournament. The middle blocker has good speed, which Jackson plans to take advantage of, according to Champoux.

“This year is movement,” he said. “We want to get them moving and not just out of the middle. … We’ll mix it up.”

Also back are co-captain Emma Linsenmayer and Kelsey Fitzpatrick, both 5-8 outsider hitters. Sophomore middle blocker Kristen Ryan (5-10) and freshman middle blocker/outside hitter Kristin Stoffel (5-11) add height to the lineup.

“We have more middles than we’ve ever had before,” said senior co-captain Sarah Bhak. “We have so many new tall girls. It definitely helps with our blocking.”

The Timberwolves lacked consistency blocking last season, according to Linsenmayer.

“Our offense is amazing this year, and especially since we have Christy jumping now, we have really strong hitters on right, middle and outside,” Linsenmayer added.

Jackson also returns both of its setters in senior Cerise Knakal and sophomore Haley Sharpe.

The players and Champoux both feel a lot more comfortable coming in with a year’s experience. The Timberwolves were able to focus on preparing for the upcoming season right away instead of getting used to each other.

“There is not much of a learning curve,” Champoux said. “The big learning curve was last year. They didn’t know my system or my coaching style.”

The Timberwolves advanced to the second day of the district tournament before being eliminated. Jackson’s last state tournament appearance was in 2004.

“It’s been a really long time since we’ve been to state,” Bhak said. “We want to make it, especially the seniors. We’re trying to pump up the younger girls to make it that far.”

To accomplish that the Timberwolves not only have to be in sync physically but mentally. Champoux’s goal is to have his players seeing the same things on the court.

“I want them to recognize the same things with their opponents,” Champoux said. “If there’s a bad pass, I want them to react the same. If it’s a set to the outside I want them moving the same. … We’re working a lot on formations, the right positions to make the best play.

“The passing I’m not worried about. Everybody jump serves on my team. They can get off the ground and attack. It’s just a matter of seeing the same stuff.”