The Seven Lakes High School Spartans girls volleyball team rocked their way to a Class 6A state championship this year led by key players like now-graduated senior Ally Battenhorst. Battenhorst is moving on now after being named national player of the year by Gatorade, but Seven Lakes Volleyball Coach Amy Cataline isn’t mourning the loss of old players – she’s focused on her current round of players and their summertime training.

Cataline sat down and told us a bit about what she’s doing to prepare the 2021-22 team for the next season and how the community helps make a championship team.

Q: Seven Lakes had a great volleyball season this last year with seniors like Ally Batenhorst leading the team on a great record. With Batenhorst and her classmates moving on, which players are you looking at to step into leadership roles on the team?

A: We’ll have three third-year lettermen that I’m looking to be strong leaders this season. We also have returners in key positions who were impact players this past season that I know will step up as well.

Q: Your student-athletes faced challenges with strength and conditioning training last summer due to COVID-19. With the pandemic winding down, what does your strength and conditioning training look like for the summer of 2021?

A: Most of the female athletes are involved in Strength and Conditioning Camp (SAC) on campus this summer. In SAC, they are continuing to lift and do (plyometrics interval training and) running workouts Monday (through)Thursday. Many of the girls are still playing club and participating in nationals at the end of June.

Q: With a new class of freshmen and additional new student-athletes coming into Seven Lakes, what are you looking for as you consider new players to join your volleyball squad at the junior varsity and varsity levels?

A: I’m looking for players that know and love the game, work hard, and have a positive team-first attitude.  

Q: No team can make it to a state championship without the support of parents and teachers that help the players maintain their athletic and academic success. What would you like to say to those parents and teachers that helped your team excel this last season?

A: It’s true -- it takes a village to help any student-athlete be successful both on and off the court. Our district leaders, school administrators, teachers, parents and community all played an integral part in our success! It was a challenging year for everyone, and so many went above and beyond to keep the athletes safe and allowed us to still have a season. We are forever grateful for the village that helped us. We wouldn’t be state champs without everyone listed!

Q: As your graduating seniors move on to college-level competition, what are your hopes for them during their ongoing athletic and academic careers?

A: My hopes are that they will continue to love the game, embrace their leadership role as a student athlete on their campus, and excel on and off the court. It’s an honor to be able to play at the next level and I hope they never take for granted the opportunity they earned.