St. Vincent seniors build cohesion over years

~ The Indians will be among 48 teams in this weekend's B.A. Sports Tournament.

The six senior members of the St. Vincent volleyball team have been playing together since they were in the sixth grade.

They say they have formed a connection on the floor and know the plays one another will make because they have been together for so long.

Lacey Siegmund, Kelsey Cissell, Brooke Hayden, Brooke Brown, Kailyn Petzoldt and Sara Moll have also connected off the court.

The six of them can often be found watching what they describe as "chick flick movies" on weekend nights or eating out at El Torero in Perryville, where they typically order the Heartland Special -- soft tacos with chicken and cheese.

"It's pretty good," Moll said. "We go out to eat a lot. We like to eat."

The six have been in a familiar routine both on and off the court since the sixth grade and it has brought them much success. They went undefeated from sixth through eighth grade. And all six have played together on varsity since their sophomore year. Last year they went 28-7-2 and won the district title before losing to Crystal City in the sectional round.

And for Mindy House, who is in her first year as the St. Vincent coach, it was a little intimidating coming into her first coaching position with six seniors who were so successful and close knit.

House, a 2002 St. Vincent graduate who never even served as an assistant coach, said she had heard of the girls' success while living in Perryville.

"It was an adjustment with them playing together for so long," House said. "They almost teach themselves and they read each other's minds a lot."

House has used the six girls' experience to her advantage. The team has remained successful while she's developed new coaching strategies and prepared effective practice drills.

House, who graduated from Southeast Missouri State in December, played volleyball, basketball and soccer at St. Vincent. She teaches business and computers at her alma mater.

"She brought a lot of good ideas and new techniques and has people playing some different positions," Siegmund said. "So she's really improved our team and helped us keep on our winning stride."

Mall, who can remember watching House play in high school when she was in sixth grade, said the change has been smooth.

"She's helped us with our hitting," Mall said. "More fast-paced hits so they go down harder. And she has also helped us play better defense."

House has also been successful connecting with her team off the court. She has already gone out to breakfast with her players before school and is planning the first team dinner, which will be at her place.

The new coach has helped the Indians (6-0) jump out to another fast start this year. They won Notre Dame VolleyballFest last weekend and will play in the B.A. Sports Tournament at Southeast Missouri State this weekend.