BROWNSTOWN
It took a total team effort.
Head coach Jennifer Shade said her Brownstown Central High School volleyball team bringing home the Class 3A state title this fall happened because of the players working together and the school and community rallying around them.
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“They always say it takes a village to raise kids, and I’m so happy that I get to be a part of these 15 kids’ lives,” she said Monday night as the team was recognized during a board of trustees meeting in the high school cafeteria. “I’m also glad that the Brownstown Central school corporation gets to be a part of their village, as well.”
Shade said the team is grateful for the support of the school board and administration.
“All of the positive things that are happening at this school, from cosmetic to air conditioning finally (in the gymnasiums) to the new gym floor to the locker rooms, all of those things you are adding to our school just give those kids pride to be a part of Brownstown Central, and that gives them desire to want to play sports here at Brownstown,” she said.
It also gives them desire to want to work hard and represent Brownstown, Shade said.
“We appreciate all of those positive changes that you as a school board and administration are doing for our school to make these kids proud,” she said.
Shade said that support includes the high school administration — Principal Joe Sheffer and Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Mark DeHart — and athletic secretary Jill Carlin.
“They have all been more than supportive of our trip to the state finals and then afterwards just the things that are still coming to us and the things that we are going to be recognized with,” Shade said. “We are just very humbled by that and are very excited to receive those, for sure. It’s very humbling to go through this experience and have support and the praise and recognition that you all have given.”
Shade praised her players and managers, too.
“You couldn’t get a better group of kids to represent our school and be the first team to go down in history with a state championship,” she said.
Players were named to academic all-state and all-state teams, represented the school at the volleyball all-star games and are members of the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“I think all of those attributes show why they came together and won a state championship,” Shade said.
“They also love each other,” she said. “I think it has been a long time since I’ve had a team where every kid on the team would put their arm around the other and support each other. … I think that’s a big plus, and it shows you what kind of team that we built here, that it took all of us and it took the whole community and it took our school to do this together.”
The players have pride in their school, too, and Shade said that was evident by them singing the school song as they got off the bus and while riding on the firetrucks around town after winning state.
“They actually are a team,” Shade said. “I think that just shows you that they have pride in the Brownstown Central school corporation.”
The girls’ character also was on display when it came time to vote on team awards. While they didn’t have a problem choosing the mental attitude award recipient, they refused to select the most valuable player.
They asked Shade to call DeHart, and after consideration, he said it was fine to name all of the players MVP.
“I think that says a lot for these girls and how they were selfless and they just wanted to win a state championship together,” she said.
Sheffer said it was truly an honor and privilege to recognize the volleyball team Monday night for being the school’s first team to win a state title.
“You girls and coaches are an inspiration and role models to the many future players and teams that will try to match this outstanding accomplishment,” he said. “Your state team picture and trophy will be on display for all to see and for you to remember the many lasting memories you created while winning a state championship.”
Shade, who was named the Class 3A Coach of the Year and coached one of the all-star teams, gave one final thank-you before introducing the players, managers and coaches and having them shake hands with the school board, Superintendent Tim Taylor and Assistant Superintendent Jade Peters.
“All of the past players that have played have set the pathway, and it’s all of us together that have won a state championship,” she said. “I know our picture will go up, but we will always say Brownstown Central did this together.”