Being... Kodee Jeritza
By JON SITLER jsitler@timesobserver.comArticle Photos
Kodee Jeritza isn't the most graceful player on the court.
"That girl has more bumps and bruises by the time the season's over," said Youngsville volleyball coach Terry Schrader. "The girl's not graceful. When she falls, you hear it across the gym."
But she just might be the hardest worker out there.
"They all work hard, but as a setter, you always have to work harder," said Schrader, whose Eagles went from 4-11 in Kodee's freshman season to 12-2 four seasons later, and made the District 10 Class A playoff semifinals.
Schrader says what Jeritza lacks in raw talent, she makes up for in hard work and sheer determination.
"She takes a lot of responsibility for that team," said Kodee's mother, Misty Collins. "We (she and I) have to work at everything, even the graceful part. But when she shows a passion for something, there's nothing that's going to hold her back."
Schrader said, even with the season ending in a District 10 playoff loss to Maplewood, "Kodee and all the others probably gave one of the best performances of their careers.
"I saw Kodee in the hall, all teary-eyed, and I walked up and gave her a hug, and she looked up and said, 'I wanted to win,'" said Schrader. "She wants to win, and she plays her heart out."
A little "Q & A" with Kodee Jeritza:
Q: Who are your parents, siblings, what sports do you play?
A: I live with my mother and stepfather, Misty and Jon Collins, and my sister Samantha (11). I have played varsity volleyball for four years.
Q: How do you describe the feeling of owning and riding horses to someone who has never done it?
A: It is so fulfilling. It is something you have to work really hard for; whether it's getting up early on a Saturday morning to feed, or it's going outside in the blistering cold to clean the barn, it has to get done. So, when you really work hard at taking care of your horse, then you go and compete, it's truly gratifying.
Q: Tell me a little about your time with volleyball. What kinds of steps did it take from when you started to how you play now?
A: All of the seniors on the team, myself included, started playing in the seventh grade, just learning the basics. Terry (volleyball coach) videotaped us hitting, which I am sure would be a great tape to watch now, so we could see what we were doing wrong. Once I became a freshman, I ended up setting for varsity. Mind you, I could barely set the ball over the net at this point. They kept it very simple for me, I served, set and played defense first. I wasn't allowed to block or hit, or anything besides set the hitters.
By tenth grade, I had more confidence. The team and I had gone to Clarion volleyball camp. I learned so much, and built so much arm strength. At camp they made all the setters set the ball against the wall until we reached 200-300 repetitions. And we always had to keep our arms up, and that sure built the muscle I needed to get the job done.
The next year... halfway through the season, I lost one of my main go-to girls to a torn ACL. That was a devastating blow, but the team and I picked ourselves up and pulled up a freshman and busted our butts even more to succeed. And I was happy with how we worked together to do well last season.
And, this year, the court was all ours, I didn't hold back. I knew this would be the year. The year that my team kicked some major butt. We had all worked so hard and this season was it.
Q: Were there times playing in the District 10 Class A playoff semifinals when you couldn't believe you had got that far?
A: I remember saying to a few of my teammates, "Hey guess what?" and they'd say "What?" I would reply, "We are going to playoffs!!!!"
They kind of got tired of me saying it, but I was jazzed. We were the first volleyball team from Youngsville to make it that far.
I had goosebumps when we were warming up the second day (second round). I could not believe how tough we came out on Saturday, the day we played Maplewood. Everyone was crushing it, my sets were right where they needed to be, it was awesome. By the second day, we had all worked out the nerves from the first round and that had helped us tremendously. We showed Maplewood what we could do. We played some tough ball at playoffs, and it stinks that it had to end. But we had a great season, played some great ball, and did some amazing things.
Q: Are you a small-town or big-city girl, and why?
A: Definitely, a small-town girl. I am pretty laid back, easy-going, and I enjoy being outdoors. I like the peace and quiet this area has. The city is probably way too loud. People probably aren't very nice. And there probably isn't too much scenery. I enjoy the leaves changing in fall. I like the winter, too, before it gets obnoxious with its freezing cold temperatures and feet upon feet of snow. All the seasons are pretty enjoyable in this small town.
Q: What do you want to become?
A: If I didn't have to grow up, I wouldn't. But since I have to, I plan to go to college for a degree in Radiology to become an X-ray technician. Then do my internship there, then work at a local hospital. After that maybe go back to college and further my education, maybe specialize in MRI's or CT scans. Hopefully saving money up as I go to build my dream home, an extravagant log home nestled deep in a quaint forest somewhere, maybe on a hilltop.
Q: Could you see yourself becoming involved in sports/athletics after high school? If so, in what way?
A: I will be playing volleyball until somebody drags me off the court and tells me I am too old. When the time is right, I think I will become a coach. Of course Seneca (Schoedel) would be coaching with me, we have already talked about it.
Q: Three words to describe yourself, and three words that you want to describe you in 40 years?
A: A leader, optimistic, and, most importantly, a teammate. In 40 years, in love, a coach, and youthful.
Q: What are your goals for the rest of the school year?
A: Do well in all of my classes, play more volleyball, probably in the Warren Y leagues, and hopefully some tournaments, then graduate.
Q: Is there a moment in your life in which you think it seriously helped mold you into who you are?
A: My freshman year, I was held after practice by Dave (junior varsity coach) and Terry (varsity coach). They wanted to talk to me about how I thought I was doing and how things were going. I told them that I felt like I was stepping on the older girls' toes and that I was really intimidated. They explained to me that it was my job (as setter) to be the loudest on the team, to make the plays, and keep everybody positive. From that moment on, I have tried to make sure I was doing my job at every game, tournament, and practice.
Q: Who or what inspires you?
A:Terry Schrader. He has believed in me from the start - from when I couldn't set the ball over the net and couldn't get high enough to block, to now, where I am setting too high, and triple blocking middle. He has always expected me to be a leader and set (no pun intended) a positive example for the team. He pushes me, like any coach, because he knows I can do better. I have always looked to him for advice and he has always listened regardless. He has taught me a lot in this sport. I love it when he thinks he knows where I am going to put the ball and I throw it the opposite way, that is probably the most satisfying things.
Q: Tell me one question you think I should have asked, and then answer it.
A: What clubs and activities are you involved in?
I am involved in many. I have been in Science Club for three years and I am the vice president, Spanish Club for three years, SADD for two years, along with Student Council and Yearbook both for two years. This year, I joined Art Club, which I am the treasurer of, and Eagle's Eye and I am a broadcaster there. And, for seven years, I was a member of 4-H club for horses.
