Today’s article has written in two parts. Addi Verville contributed the first article, and Karter Beving contributed the second article. Good luck tonight, Cubs!
Nevada Volleyball, Part 1:
Volleyball in Iowa is arranged in a few ways. Nevada is in the Heart of Iowa Conference and in the central district and region 7 of Class 3A. In the HOIC, Nevada has beaten everyone, and in the district, the Cubs are one of the top teams as well. Nevada has not played everyone in the district but has beaten every district team they have played.
As for the regional bracket, the IGHSAU (Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union) creates those each year in hopes of spreading out their top 8 seeds. Nevada will be playing PCM in the first round and has beaten them already. Second round would put Nevada against the winner of the North Polk and West Marshall match. The Cubs have beaten North Polk, and the team was able to watch West Marshall at the home tournament.
If Nevada is able to make it to the regional finals, the Cubs would face the winner of Tipton and Williamsburg. Tipton was the state runner-up last year and has a tremendous 6-rotation athlete on their roster that sets and hits for them. They graduated much of their lineup from last year but returned a core of great players.
“I really like our match up with them. We have a more physical team, but they are also well-coached ball players,” said Nevada Head Coach Jonny Sneiderman.
Coach Sneiderman is entering his 11th year of coaching. He has spent time coaching summer volleyball camps for schools and coaching club, middle school, high school, and collegiate teams. He has seen every level, and each one is truly special.
“Being able to have fun with the basics at the younger ages always allows me to keep a fun perspective of the game. My time at the Division 1 college level was so different because you are managing athletes on scholarship and training at an elite strategy level. Now as a high school coach, it is cool to be able to run youth camps and then train the high school team at a high level and get a little bit of both worlds that I love so much,” said Coach Sneiderman.
Coach Sneiderman considers building relationships with athletes and their families to be one of the greatest parts of coaching.
“I have gained a giant volleyball family all over the country from coaching,” he said.
He also enjoys seeing the girls develop through challenges.
“Sending brave strong women out into the world after high school is the best part of my job.”
One of the toughest parts of Coach Sneiderman’s job is creating lineups and determining playing time.
“Just because a kid doesn’t score the same number of points on the court doesn’t mean you love them any less,” said Sneiderman. “This year, more than ever, I feel as if I have a deep bench which makes the struggle even more difficult.”
Watch the Cubs take on the PCM Mustangs tonight at the Nevada Fieldhouse at 7:00 pm.
Article contributed by Addi Verville.
Nevada Volleyball, Part 2:
Nevada Volleyball has been on a roll lately, and they recently took home their 11th conference since the start of Nevada volleyball in 1986. The team has a current record of 30-9 and is coached by Johnny Sniederman. The post season begins tonight, and the team is playing for a bid to the state tournament.
Nevada Volleyball last qualified for state in 2016 where they lost to Pella in the first round. Nevada has been to the state tournament five times since our first appearance in 2008. One of those times includes the 2015 State Championship run. Nevada won the state title after beating Columbus Catholic of Waterloo, Kuemper Catholic of Carroll, and West Liberty to win the state title
Nevada Volleyball plays PCM Wednesday at home for their first game of the regionals.
The girls have been preparing for the road to state by practicing more high level play, as well as practicing more situational gameplay.
“I am working on gathering film on opponents so we can adapt our system to how opponents compete,” said Coach Sneiderman.
“The girls have been working really hard towards the end of the season preparing themselves for a chance at the state tournament.”
Freshman middle blocker Lily Goos said, “To prepare for regionals mentally I’ve been focusing on the positives of my play and recognizing the things I can improve on.”
All the girls have been working really hard coming into regional play.
“Our greatest obstacles are going to be managing opponents serve and maintaining our level of play,” said Coach Sneiderman. “One thing the girls are doing to maintain their level of play is learning to adapt to whatever their opponent brings.”
Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Dustin Smith said, “During the postseason, the teams that take a ‘one game at a time mentality’ tend to have success. If Coach Sneiderman and the volleyball girls are able to focus on each night, I think the Cubs can play with any team in the state. It should be a fun postseason!”
This is Coach Sniederman’s first season as a head volleyball coach. He has coached as an assistant with other high school and collegiate teams.
“Being a first-year head coach has been a duty I knew would happen eventually in my coaching career, and I have been preparing for this opportunity for a while now.”
Coach Sniederman has had his ups and downs as a first year coach, but he has persevered and now has one of the best teams in 3A.
Watch them tonight in the regional quarterfinals as they take on the PCM Mustangs at the Nevada Fieldhouse at 7:00 pm.
Article contributed by Karter Beving.
