Coaches saying a hard goodbye

DT Volleyball coaches last year coaching

By Kaleah Olson

After 6 years of coaching together for Doniphan-Trumbull volleyball, all three of the coaches will be retiring from their roles. Head coach Mrs. Gina Fitch along with her assistants, Mrs. Kendra Stratton and Mrs. Brynn Barnett, will be stepping down at the conclusion of the season, after years spent on the sideline. Fitch began coaching in 2013, Stratton began coaching in 2014, and Barnett joined the team in 2015. Little did they know that they would make countless memories with the team on and off the court over the past 6, 7 and 8 years. There three women have made a lasting impact on their players.

“The coaches have made me a better volleyball player. They also taught me valuable life lessons that I will forever remember,” says sophomore varsity setter, Emily Shimmin. “I will always cherish the memories I made on this team with the wonderful coaches.” Many of the DT volleyball girls are sad to see their coaches go. They hope to see them in the crowd in the upcoming years cheering loudly.”

After growing up in Doniphan and playing volleyball for the Cardinals, Fitch decided to start coaching for DT when her girls became interested in the game. 

“Shortly after we moved back to Doniphan, I started holding volleyball clinics for the elementary girls and started a club team for Maddie and her friends when she was in 6th grade.  I was asked if I would put together a club team for some of the high school girls so that they could all play together,” said Fitch. “I had so much fun working with those girls that when the head coach position became available I knew that I wanted to be the one to help the girls make this program successful and have the amazing experience playing this sport that I was able to have in high school. It was one of the best decisions I ever made!”

Fitch has led her varsity team to many victorious seasons. Her 15-16 fall record came to 23-8 and qualifying for state and  taking home the third place medals, 16-17 record was 27-8, and 18-19 was 21-9. This year Coach Fitch plans to make it far with her team. They have attended camps during the summer at Concordia and Kansas University to expand their skill levels and get ready for their upcoming season. They developed their skills, but more importantly, they created a better connection and made many memories. These three coaches don’t just leave all the fun on the court. They have taken team bonding trips to many places, some include the Henry Doorly Zoo and Spalding, NE, to go tanking down the river. 

“I have what seems like millions of amazing memories from coaching! Some that make me laugh - when the girls would pull little pranks on me, like faking injuries or that they forgot uniforms or shoes, just so they could watch me freak out and make fun of my reaction and all of the trips in the vans to games and camps. And then all the ones that bring a huge smile and maybe a little tear - when a player finally figures out a skill and you can see excitement in their face, seeing the girls play as a team and get to experience to joy of a huge come-from-behind victory, and of course, getting to hand out state medals are some of my favorite memories.” says Fitch. 

Fitch isn’t the only one with fond memories of growing up on the cour, and they have all said that they have grown to love it more and more. 

“I have played volleyball since I was able to walk. I have 3 older sisters that all played, so I grew up in the gym around volleyball and we were always playing it on the farm,” said Stratton. “I still, to this day, play volleyball and am dreading the day I have to give it up!” 

From life long friendships to their own families at home, these coaches have taken time out of their everyday lives to help the DT volleyball team grow and succeed. 

“It isn't really the game of volleyball, it is who I share it with. The girls bring a sense of family and home for me. I strive to build meaningful relationships with the girls I coach. I want to impact the lives of young kids, and help them excel in life. What the girls don't realize is that they impact me more,” said Barnett. “The past five months have been a struggle. The girls and other coaches have supported me in every way possible. Volleyball and being around the girls, brings a completely different feeling. My heart is happy every day I walk into that gym and see the girls. I work each day to make my girls, coaches, and my own family proud of me.” 

Making memories, supporting each other, and playing the sport they love is just part of what makes up the DT volleyball team. 

“The coaches have impacted my life in so many ways. Not only did they teach me to be a volleyball player, but they also taught me how to be a great teammate and person on and off the court,” says senior varsity hitter Sophie Fitch.