AREA VOLLEYBALL TEAM EXCELS

Team Schwep is off to a flying start in its first year as a United States Volleyball Association Juniors 16-under club team.

Coached by Southeast Missouri State University assistant Dave Schwepker -- hence the team's name -- and made up of sophomores and freshmen from area high schools, the squad has already won four major tournaments and placed high in several others entering next weekend's Gateway Regional Tournament in St. Louis.

The winner of the Gateway Regional tourney will advance to national competition in July in Orlando, Fla.

"Right now we are definitely one of the strongest 16-under teams in the region and have a legitimate shot of winning," said Schwepker. "We are working hard to improve on our defense so our goal of winning regionals can become a reality."

Schwepker is assisted on the coaching staff by Rikki Aizawa, Nicole Gonzales and Erin Willrich. Gonzales and Willrich are both members of the Southeast volleyball team.

"They are an important factor to our success," said Schwepker. "Without them volunteering their time and knowledge we would not be where we are today."

Team members and their high schools are Lisa Mesey (Woodland), Beth Essner (Notre Dame), Valerie Jansen (Jackson), Amy Strickland (Oak Ridge), Denise Steiner (Bell City), Leslie Lee (Bell City), Jackie Engert (Perryville), Jaclyn Schremp (Perryville), Erin Holt (Bernie) and Amy Johnson (Bernie).

"Athletically, this is a tremendously talented group of young ladies," Schwepker said. "We had tryouts in December and I was fortunate to have such a talented group of athletes try out. We have been practicing twice a week since December."

Added Schwepker, "Our offense is what has been winning for us. We are able to hit from any position on the court. Another big key to our success is our setter, Leslie Lee. She is only a freshman but she is definitely one of the most advanced setters in the 16-under division I've seen."