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Krueger Middle School volleyball coach Mandy Ketcham (arm raised) breaks down the huddle for her players during a match this season. Ketcham and Barker Middle School volleyball coach Daisy Lee have built strong programs that feed into Michigan City High School’s teams.
Krueger, Barker volleyball developing promising athletes
By Iyanna Adkins
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY – Krueger volleyball coach Mandy Ketcham is making a huge impact on Michigan City.
She and Barker Middle School volleyball coach Daisy Lee have done their part to re-energize the middle school programs.
At the moment, Ketcham coaches the eighth graders at Krueger. Ketcham graduated from Michigan City High School in 2005, and played volleyball for the school all four years.
“(Other MCAS coaches and I) want to start building the program back up to how it was when we were playing,” Ketcham said. “And, we’re just trying to work together, and we know middle school is where it all really begins.”
Ketcham is certainly qualified for the job. She grew up in Michigan City and played volleyball in the eighth grade at Elston former middle school.
She started ninth grade on the freshman team, but moved up to junior varsity during the season. She began her sophomore season on the JV team before moving up to varsity, which advanced to the regional and won the Duneland Athletic Conference championship that season.
During her junior year, the Wolves advanced to the second round of the regional. In her senior year, they again won the DAC and proceeded to the second round of the regional.
After her career at City, she went to Kankakee Community College and played volleyball there for two years. After her two years in college, she started coaching volleyball and now has been coaching for about 17 years.
This fall, she coached Krueger volleyball’s “A” team, which had a regular season record of 6-4. Team captain Lauren Smoot said it was a good year.
“Something I won’t forget about this season is how we had such a good coach and how funny our team is,” Lauren said. “I am happy we have coach Mandy. We had a good team this year.”
Like Lauren, co-captain Bella Ketcham said this season was a good one due to their teamwork and work ethic.
“I won’t forget the bond that our team has and how everybody works together,” Bella said.
Coach Ketcham is impressed with her team’s growth this season.
“They improved on clear, direct communication and trust,” she said. “Trusting not only their teammates but trusting themselves. And, those are two things that are important on the court, yes, but even more important in real life, and I am so proud of them.”
Before coaching at Barker, Lee was the coach at Krueger for seven years.
At first, there were zero girls playing for MCHS from Krueger. By Lee’s fourth year coaching, she had nine girls playing between freshman, JV and varsity. The way she did it was by showing her love and passion for the sport.
Lee takes the girls to varsity and Valparaiso University games so they can see the passion the older girls play with.
“It’s more than just playing volleyball,” Lee said. “It’s growing as a whole person. It’s getting to work with people and learning to work together.”
And, she is more than thankful for the girls that were there when she first started coaching.
She’s also grateful for the high school coaches for always being willing to work with her girls.
Lee’s efforts have paid off as Barker posted a record of 9-7 this season.
Both Ketcham and Lee have taught a lot to their players. One of those players is Krueger co-captain Iyahni Grinston, who has a message to leave for future middle school players.
“Pay attention in practice,” she said. “Then you know what to do in the game.”
Maryssa Stokes contributed to this report.