Oct. 11, 2018

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. --- Here they were, enjoying an undefeated season, when the Helias Lady Crusaders volleyball team went off to Hermann during Octoberfest.

They came home with a 25-23, 26-24 loss.

"It was one of those nights (Monday night) where several people had an off night," Helias coach David Harris said. "We just had a little hiccup."

Hiccup? Hmmm.

There's no truth to the rumor the girls celebrated Octoberfest by eating too many brats and too much German potato salad before the match.

"Well," Harris said with a laugh, "I certainly hope not."

There were two actual reasons they lost --- the Lady Crusaders didn't play their best and Hermann --- as usual --- is quite good.

"We committed a lot of unforced errors and Hermann played well --- they're tough every year," Harris said. "They've won more state championships than anybody in the state and their coach (Linda Lampkin) has won more games than anybody in the state.

"You can't let up for a second against them. We actually had the lead in both games, but let it slip away. Hopefully, it's a learning experience."

There are some coaches who believe a loss during the season is actually a good thing. Is Harris one of those coaches?

Yes.

And no.

"Losing to a good team can expose some things you need to work on, that maybe we've been getting by with against some other teams" he said. "As long as we learn something from it, it can be a good thing.

"Now if we don't learn something from it, then I would have rather won."

Suffice it to say, there was no joy in Helias-ville Monday night.

"They were pretty quiet on the bus coming home," he said, "and they were ready and anxious to play Tuesday night (against Jefferson City). They wanted to take it out on somebody, they weren't very happy."

The Lady Jays were in the wrong place at the right time --- Helias won it with ease 25-19, 25-11.

Despite of Tuesday night's win, Helias (27-1-1) dropped from No. 7 in the country to No. 25 in the Xcellent Poll due to Monday night's loss.

That's the fickle nature of those polls --- national rankings mean about as much as fortune cookies. How in the world do you rank high school volleyball teams from Maine to New Mexico to Missouri to Hawaii?

You shouldn't, because you can't.

"That's why we never talk about them," Harris said. "Like last year, I think MaxPreps had us ranked 46th in the nation after we won the state championship. Well, somehow over the summer and after graduating three All-State players and another really good player, we moved up 25 spots.

"I don't know how that happened."

The Lady Crusaders, a senior-laden team loaded with talent, have taken those lofty rankings with a hefty grain of salt, Harris said. Not always easy for teenagers.

"I think they've been handling it pretty well," said Harris, in his 18th season at the Helias helm. "We talked last week about guarding against being complacent or content with our record and how we've been playing.

"We still we have areas we can improve on and we still haven't reached our goals. We've played some really good teams and we've beaten some really good teams, but we can't stay content with where we're at.

"The important part of the season is still ahead of us."

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THE UNQUESTIONED LEADER OF THE DEFENDING CLASS 3 STATE CHAMPIONS is two-time All-State outside hitter, 5-10 senior Ellie Rockers.

"I fIrst saw her as a fifth-grader," Harris said. "They didn't believe me back then, but I was telling people that she could be the best player to ever come through Helias. That says a lot.

"You hear about the it factor in sports, and you could just tell she had it. What makes her good and good players even great is their work ethic, and she always tries to strive and be better. She's one of these players that you have to tell: 'You need some rest, you need some time off.'

"She's a natural leader. She not only leads by example, but she's always encouraging her teammates.'"

And there's more ... as is always the case when you're talking about the latest member in the Hentges Family Athletic Dynasty. Besides having so many great athletes --- Ellie is first cousins with Alabama senior tight end Hale Hentges --- there's always more..

Rockers is a 4.0 student and the reigning Homecoming Queen. Of course she is.

"Besides being a great a great volleyball player," Harris said, "I think she's an even better person. You can say that about the whole family.

"On the court, her work ethic is a great example for our underclassmen."

She's not alone.

"It's not only her, but this entire senior class is very talented," Harris said. "Ellie wouldn't be able to do some of the things she does without the players doing their jobs, as well. There are a lot of team sports, but volleyball is a true team sport.

"Hitters can't do their jobs unless passers and setters do their's."

Of the eight seniors, no less than seven are moving on to play college volleyball and the one who's not --- Meagan Engelbrecht --- certainly could.

Here's the rest of the Great Eight, along with some noteworthy stats and college choices:

^ Callie Henson (6-foot, OPP, 160 kills, 13 blocks), Central Methodist

^ Grace Millard (5-10, MH, OH), Benedictine

^ Krystal Brauner (5-2, L, 184 points, 251 digs), Central Methodist

^ Ellie Rockers (5-10, OH, 327 kills, 20 blocks, 295 digs), Columbia College

^ Riley Bernskoetter (5-9, S, OPP, 475 assists), Emporia State

^ Jada Oldham (5-7, S, 160 points, 271 assists), Central Methodist

^ Korie Otto (6-1, MH, 167 kills), Central Michigan

"One of the things that makes this team so good is that they're mentally tough," Harris said. "They've been through the battles we had last year and our schedule this year was probably one of the toughest we've ever had.

"They know what it takes to win and they're willing to put in the time and the effort to make it happen. They know what the price is and they're willing to pay it."

That makes Harris' job no job at all.

"They're just a lot of fun to be around," he said. "They make a coach feel younger and enjoy coming to practice."

The winner of Helias' district at California --- and the Lady Crusaders' are the odds-on favorite --- will host the sectionals and quarterfinals Oct. 27.

"That," Harris said, "would be a benefit, if it happens."

That would also mean another likely date with the program's No. 1 postseason rival, Logan-Rogersville. Would you want it any other way?

This fantastic season could be headed toward another fantastic finish.

"I think for the team," Harris said, "they will be very disappointed if we can't at least go to the Final Four. It's just so tough to get there, then it gets even tougher if you do get there. We've got a lot of pieces, it's up to me and the coaching staff to get the best out of him.

"I think if we focus on doing things right on our side of the net, I like our chances. But it's not going to be easy."

It never is.

After first setback, Helias still
eyeing defense of state crown

Loeffler's Link

Helias volleyball coach David Harris talks with his team during the Lady Crusaders' match with the Jefferson City Lady Jays on Tuesday night at Rackers Fieldhouse.