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New Pipestone Area Schools head volleyball coach Shelly Hennager has begun putting her stamp on the Arrow program.
PAS has been practicing diligently since the first allowable date on Monday, Aug. 11, and the Arrows participated in a multiple-team scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 16.
“I played volleyball here from my sophomore to senior year,” Hennager said. “And I’ve helped out with the JO’s (Junior Olympic teams) for 20 years. I haven’t stopped coaching, so it means a lot to coach the high school team I played for.”
Hennager was an assistant coach last year for the Arrows, who finished with an 8-19-1 record. She replaces longtime coach Dave Dulas.
New Pipestone Area Schools head volleyball coach Shelly Hennager watches the Arrows practice on Thursday, Aug. 14, at PAS Gymnasium. Hennager replaces Dave Dulas in the role. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
The players have responded to Hennager’s coaching during training sessions.
“I think the girls are doing really well,” she said. “They are working hard, and I’ve seen good things from a lot of different players.”
(An aside, read a complete season preview in this edition of the Pipestone County Star.)
Hennager said the team has been working with four different line-ups, and there are three players that could see time at setter — the most critical position in this sport.
Experienced senior Carmen Wiese, athletic junior Kaysa Douty and sophomore Avery Reinhard could all see time at setter.
And that’s whether PAS runs a base 5-1 or 6-2 offense.
Last Saturday, Aug. 16, PAS participated in a multiple-team scrimmage at Jackson County Central.
Hennager said the Arrows made steady improvements throughout the day against Big South Conference foes JCC, Luverne and Worthington. Canby and Southwest Minnesota Christian also provided the Arrows with stern tests.
This past Tuesday, PAS served as host of a five-team scrimmage against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, Hills-Beaver Creek, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton and Luverne.
Last year under Dulas, Hennager learned that high school coaches have “a lot on their plate.” She helped call serves and assisted with practices.
Pipestone Area Schools’ head volleyball coach Dave Dulas calls out a serve during the match, with Shelly Hennager looking on. (Photo by Eric Viccaro)
This past spring, Hennager coached a Pipestone JO 14’s, a group of seventh- and eighth-grade players. The group fared well with several first- or second-place finishes at five tournaments.
Hennager was a three-year starter for the Arrows as a middle hitter/blocker under then coach Carrie Smith, earning all-league (Southwest Conference) honors twice.
Those Arrow teams featured setter Stacy Evans, outside hitter Jamie Juhl (neé Claussen) and middle hitter/blocker Katie Newgard. Juhl competed at NCAA Division I Boise State University.
Hennager has learned from several stalwart coaches, including Terry Culhane (the longtime Southwest Minnesota State University pilot) and Kim Sudbeck at Augustana University (still the Vikings’ all-time leader in wins with 287).
Through Culhane, Hennager said she developed a stout work ethic.
Hennager is employed by Ludolph Bus Service, Inc., of Pipestone. She handles administrative duties and serves as a driver.
After graduating from Augustana with a degree in business administration, Hennager worked for Wells Fargo in Sioux Falls, S.D. Then, she returned home to Pipestone in 2012.
In addition to PAS, Hennager has previous coaching experience at both Bishop O’Gorman and Roosevelt in Sioux Falls.
Pipestone Area Schools in May announced the hiring of Shelly Hennager as the new Arrows varsity assistant coach. She is shown here with her family, husband Derek and children Liv and Wylla. (Contributed photo)
Hennager is married to husband, Derek Hennager. The couple has two children, Wylla and Liv, both students at Pipestone Elementary School — with their mother’s passion for volleyball.