Elks seniors by the numbers
Name Aces Assists Blocks(solo) Digs Kills
Meghan Backer 42 35 101 406
Kayla Bruggeman 11 30 11 431
Ashley Sarmiento 21 312 52 55 178
Katelyn Versen 30 401 52 71 224
CENTERVILLE — From braids and braces to dances and diplomas — Centerville seniors Meghan Backer, Kayla Bruggeman and Katelyn Versen have been together, on and off the volleyball court, since they were in the seventh grade.
“It’s crazy how fast that time has gone,” Bruggeman said. “There were a lot more of us who started out together in junior high and we’re the ones who are left.”
Ashley Sarmiento, the fourth senior on the Elks team this season, joined the trio when they were freshmen. After years of playing together, the Elks seniors are now more than teammates, they are friends. That camaraderie has helped them adjust to their roles as team captains and helped the Elks capture a share of the Greater Western Ohio Conference volleyball bragging rights.
Centerville, Beavercreek and Springfield shared the conference top honor this season.
“They’ve been one of the better groups I’ve had as captains because they don’t hesitate to call you on the carpet when things aren’t going right,” Elks coach Monte Moser said. “They really have taken on a true leadership role. They will pull the girls aside and have a little meeting when things aren’t going well and they cheer everyone on when things are on track.”
One for all
Togetherness starts long before the Elks step onto the court, actually long before they even get to the school. For the Centerville volleyball team, it’s all about routine.
The team goes to My Favorite Muffin, a Centerville eatery, before every home match. The seniors’ menu favorites vary greatly. Backer, a setter, and Bruggeman, an outside hitter, favor the blueberry and chocolate cheesecake muffins, respectively, Versen, an outside hitter, the cinnamon bun muffin. Sarmiento, a setter, always goes for a roast beef bagel sandwich before heading to the match.
After watching most of the reserve game, it’s off to the closet.
All 12 of the varsity players pile into the volleyball storage closet. It’s lights out as the girls get into a circle and talk about their goals for the match. Then they break out into pump-up cheers and come sprinting out of the closet, ready to play.
“It sounds a little weird but it’s our way of getting pumped up,” Versen said.
There are also sleepovers, team dinners and scavenger hunts to add to the team building.
“The closeness of the team and the friendships I have made are the things I will miss most when this season is over,” Backer said.
The next level
Of the four seniors, only Sarmiento, a 5-foot-10 setter has committed to play at the collegiate level. She will play for Tusculm College, a Division II program, in Greenville, Tenn. Versen is still looking at a few college programs.
“There’s always going to be a lot more work when you play at the next level but, playing for Centerville, has prepared me because it’s a great program and they expect 100 percent from us at every practice and every match,” Sarmiento said. “And that’s fine with me. Practices and matches are the highlight of my day.”
Even the Elks seniors who won’t be playing volleyball after this season, have learned lessons that will last well beyond the tournament.
“One of the biggest thing I learned is time management,” Bruggeman said. “And volleyball has helped me stay focused on what needs to get done and that will help me no matter what I do in the future.”
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