NEDERLAND - The Nederland Middle-Senior High School (NMSHS) volleyball program has done nothing but consistently improve for the last several years. The last five years have seen marked  improvement: the players stand taller with confidence, and point won or lost they calmly carry on to get ready for the next opportunity. 

This year the Panthers are finishing with the best record they have had in 15 seasons. Coach Nicole Zotti said, “This is a true testament to how hard the girls have worked this year.” 

Zotti says that the team works very hard on their mental game. They take time at the start of each practice to work on their mental game. They discuss their commitment and confidence as well as reflecting on improvement strategies and focusing on a growth mindset. 

The six seniors on the team this year have been fundamental in building the culture and the volleyball program at NMSHS over the last four years. Zotti stated, “They really modeled the way for all players. Because they have displayed this leadership, the rest of the team has adopted the same commitment.”

Despite losing six seniors, with next year's team Zotti and Coach Nancy Bodnar are confident that next season they will have a strong team. The Panther JV team had a record of 12-2 this season. The coaches say that “the players are dedicated to continuing the strong traditions of hard work and excellence that we have established here in the NMSHS volleyball program.”

The volleyball program runs a workshop in March for elementary and middle school students. They also have a summer camp in June for high school, middle school, and elementary players. For the past couple of years, during the summer camps, Hall of Fame coach Larry Deffenbaugh has come to Nederland to conduct the camp for the girls. Attending these camps and playing during the off season have been key to the team’s success.

At the last home game of this season the Nederland Panthers played Aurora West College Prep Academy. It was also Senior Night, the evening the school honors the seniors on the volleyball team, mountain biking team, and the cross country team. 

Cross Country coach Gavin Coombs honored senior Lukey Mahorski-Bodley, who ran on the high school cross country team for four years. He was captain of the team this year and is one of the most dedicated and hard-working runners in cross country. His positive attitude and kind spirit are always a joy to be around. 

Mountain biking coach Alison Powers honored seniors Grizzly Stueck, Grayson Shurr, and Laila Waldron. There is never a doubt in one’s mind how much Powers cares for her athletes, and that saying goodbye to the seniors is emotional. She is incredibly grateful for their dedication and hard work in the sport. Bikes forever!

Volleyball coach Nicole Zotti honored the seniors on the volleyball team: Amelie Bodnar, Kendall Zotti, Payton Kutscher, Natalia Garcia Upczak, Lauren Schrader, and Autumn Pattridge. Zotti is so impressed with these girls and how they have developed as a team and helped to grow the program. She said it has been wonderful and, at times, difficult to be a parent coach, but she is immensely proud of her daughter and of all the seniors. 

It was then time to play some volleyball.

The players were introduced by NMSHS staff member Janet Turnburke. She introduced the Panthers’ starters in a way that gets the players fired up and the crowd cheering…loudly! The seniors took to the court and played most of the games together - their last home game as Panthers. 

Game one was full of long volleys. Both teams did a great job of keeping the ball going. Nederland won the first game with a score of 25 to 19. Game two looked like it might go to Aurora West. But the Panthers do not get flustered. They took it one step at a time, one play at a time. Freshman Penny Bodnar came into the game and aced three serves to give the win to the Panthers. Nederland won game two with a score of 26 -24. The Panthers dominated game three and won with a score of 25 - 6. 

It was a great evening of Panther volleyball and of honoring seniors, their families, and the coaches -- all who spend endless hours teaching and learning. All this in mind to inspire our youth to take these lessons into the world and be kind, resilient, and confident.