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When building a high school volleyball program from the ground up, there
can only one place to start - fundamentals.
That is why Jess Dodd spends two hours each afternoon drilling the 19 girls who will comprise Indian River's new volleyball team on the proper serve, spike and set techniques.
"It's just all on a basic skill level at this point," Dodd said after a recent midweek practice. "The skills have to come first. Each individual has one skill better than the other. They're still raw; you have to work on everything."
This fall, Indian River will be one of three Henlopen Conference schools competing at the varsity level for the first time. Sussex Central and Polytech are the others.
The Indians have 19 players on their roster, 10 of which are freshmen.
"The interest is there," Dodd said. "I'm definitely happy (with the turnout)."
But with so many first-time players, coaching could be difficult. That is why Dodd incessantly drills his players on the basics instead of focusing on special strategies and formations.
One specific challenge is getting players to perform consistently from all areas of the floor. So far, IR has excelled in certain rotations but struggled in others.
"They have to concentrate on every play," Dodd said.
If the Indians can compete with established conference powers Cape Henlopen, Caesar Rodney and Dover, the work will have paid off.
Dodd served as a volunteer assistant coach last season when the Indians competed only at the junior varsity level. He is thrilled at the chance to serve as head coach in 1998.
"I've played beach volleyball for years and indoors," he said. "I just love the game and I was glad to see it here."
He believes the sport's popularity will continue to rise. "For this location, I think volleyball is really going to pick up."
Dodd noted his team should be on the same skill level as the other first-year varsity schools but he will have to wait a week to find out.
"I'd rather play all the tough teams," Dodd said. "It's a good learning experience."
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