By DAVID WOOD, for The Democrat
Jessica (Harding) Van Hoorde has held the school record for volleyball digs for nearly 10 years.
It now belongs to senior Baelyn Koester.
Koester broke 964 digs during the Eagles’ 4-1 victory over Hauser Sept. 12. Three games later, she broke the magic four-digit mark, reaching 1,000.
Van Hoorde’s record was 963 in four seasons.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Humbly, Koester believed her achievement was due in large part to the trust she has in her teammates.
“It feels great. It’s a really good accomplishment and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my team,” she said.
Without her front blockers and the help of team communication, it wouldn’t have been possible, she said.
Koester’s role on the squad is the libero. Made noticeable by a different color jersey, she’s in charge of “digging” out the opponent’s spikes while setting up her own team in the process. Only able to play in the back line, she must be able to read the ball on the fly and coordinate the rest of the team’s defense appropriately.
“I would love to get 1,100 probably. I don’t think I’ll hit that, since it’s pretty far away, but we have a bit of season left, so I think I can get close,” she said.
However, Koester isn’t too hung up on her own numbers. While the record was in the back of her mind, it wasn’t something she had set out to accomplish. However, she’s still happy to have found a place in Brown County High School athletics history.
“It’s nice to know that in a way I will be remembered as a volleyball player, and that’s exciting,” she said.
Head Coach Jessica Robertson was able to coach Van Hoorde and now Koester. The two players share a lot of similarities in terms of their skill, intensity and teamwork, she said.
“Jess was much more vocal and a little more intense. Bae’s intense, but she’s a quiet intense. … They are both very knowledgeable of the game, play hard, play for the rest of their team, and aren’t selfish at all,” Robertson said.
Having known Koester for four-plus years, Robertson also pointed out her growth as a leader.
“I think in eighth grade she knew that she had the skills to be a good volleyball player, but she didn’t vocalize and be a leader on the court,” Robertson said.
Koester is now a player Robertson can turn to in time of need, providing honest feedback on what the team can and cannot handle.
She hopes her record sets a new standard for BCHS volleyball.
“I’d like to give them something to strive for, and I hope someone can break it. That would be great,” she said.
