Someone probably questioned Marcus Ehrke’s sanity when he took the Grand Island Senior High volleyball head coaching position in 2020.
Sure, the Islanders weren’t far removed from consecutive state final appearances in 2007 and 2008, and they had returned to state in 2010, 2011 and 2013 under legendary head coach Bill Root.
But, after that, talent had turned. The Islanders had just one winning season from 2014-2019 and they went just 9-46 over Root’s final two seasons of his hall-of-fame career.
And, in that fall of 2020, they may have been right — the Islanders, in Ehrke’s first year in moving from Sidney, were 2-24.
“It was terrible,” he said, matter of factly.
But, he knew that wanted to keep going, to keep fighting and to try and volleyball at Grand Island Senior High where it was before.
“I wanted to see play and coach at a Class A school, to do it at a high level,” he said. “We want to play the top teams in our class, sometimes the top teams in the nation and garner a little more respect for central Nebraska volleyball.”
NEW REBEL: Grand Island’s Tia Traudt hammers a kill past the Fremont defense on Thursday, September 21. (nebpreps photo / Tony Chapman)
The Islanders moved forward quickly. They were 17-14 in 2021 and last year finished 21-12 before losing in the district final to Omaha Westside. This season, they are 15-6 heading into games this week with Lincoln Southeast and Lincoln High.
Now, GISH has climbed all the way to fourth in the Class A, Pinnacle Bank Coaches Poll after finishing 4-2 at the LPS Invitational two weekends ago with their only losses to No. 1 Papillion-LaVista South and No. 2 Lincoln Southwest.
For Ehrke and his team, it was a turning point.
“I don’t think I thought we’d be this far along, but I wanted us to be playing at a higher level,” he said. “I didn’t know if we’d be able to do it consistently, but was hoping we’d play at that level more often.”
His Islanders have done that in spades.
“The maturity of the girls that have had experience has really improved. But the new girls we have had come in and play six rotations has played a big role; they have fit in seamlessly.”
The Islander attack, led by junior Tia Traudt and senior Haedyn Hoos, has shined. Traudt, already a UNLV commit, has 262 kills on the season and Hoos, pledged to Nebraska-Kearney, follows at 220.
“It just an honor to coach them,” Ehrke said of the duo that both have 1,000 kills while at GISH. “It’s hard to appreciate that their high level of skill is something our other players can learn from and pass down to our younger players.”
But, the rest of the Islanders have done their part, too.
Middle blockers Kiera Jones (59 kills, 34 blocks) and Mya Chrisman (66 kills, 29 blocks) have solidified the middle of the floor. And, while the two play a bit differently, they are both very effective.
“In volleyball, you have to encourage your teammates almost more than any other sport because of how the momentum can swing,” Ehrke said. “Kiera does all those things and plays with such positive body language.
“And, Mya you never know if things are good or bad with her, she’s super level-headed in a very good way.”
CENTER OF ATTENTION: Grand Island middle blocker Keira Jones with a kill past Fremont. (nebpreps photo / Tony Chapman)
Junior Addy Waind has turned herself into a six-rotation player and contributes 44 kills, 11 blocks and 139 digs. She’s also second on the team with 25 ace serves.
“Probably one of our biggest question marks coming into the year, is where (and how much) we could play Addy,” the coach said. “Now, it’s an absolute no-brainer. She has one of the best serves on our team, but also one of the goofiest attitudes. She can keep us loose.”
New setter Jaysa Wentzlaff has been solid with 548 set assists and tied with Waind at 25 service aces for the Islanders.
“Jaysa is maybe the fire and the leader that we have been missing a little bit,” said Ehrke. “She isn’t afraid to get on people. Sometimes people will shy away from that because that is a hard quality of leadership to hold people accountable and be our quarterback.”
Senior libero Jaylen Hansen leads the Islander defense with 261 digs, with four others over 100 on the season.
“Jaylen has been so good for us in the back,” the coach said. “She just keeps everything alive and keeps us in system so we can attack.”
It’s a winning combination for these Islanders who keep moving in the right direction.
“We have struggled with balance over the last few years,” Ehrke said. “Teams have been able to focus on our outsides and what they can do. Now, our other girls are showing what they are capable of. I think the development of those girls has improved a lot and their confidence has soared.”
Now, as the season moves to a close, Grand Island is respectable again. Winning again. And, looking to make a run at the state tournament again.
HAEDYN HAMMER: Grand Island’s Haedyn Hoos in action against Fremont. (nebpreps photo / Tony Chapman)
