With the 2024 Normal volleyball season coming to a close, so do the high school careers of four seniors: Shelby Sennett, Adsea Schieler, Ally Highland, and Ellie Rink.
Over their four years donning the silver and black, they captured the 2023 and 2024 Big 12 conference titles, four regional championships (2021, 2022, 20223, 2024), two sectional championships (2023, 2024), and the 2021 super-sectional championship.
Coach Kelsey Mueller applauds them for leaving their mark on Wildcat volleyball.
“I think this group of seniors specifically added that level of a competitive drive, and I think they added in a level of support with relationships with each other that is going to be continued on over the next coming years.
“I think that tradition is something that has been building for a while, but I think this group [of seniors] really kind to put their stamp on it and solidified the legacy.
“I’m just so thankful for their commitment and dedication. (…) I’m going to miss them a lot,” Mueller explains.
“These guys are just in a league of their own I feel like pretty special,” added Mueller.
The seniors also recognized the stamp Wildcat volleyball left on them by turning them into better players and people throughout their four years.
“I’ve definitely grown more confident as a player and a person. I came in pretty shy my freshman year, and this team has really brought me out of my shell making all these new friends, and being here for four years has really helped,” stated Highland.
“I think I’ve grown as a player, and I’ve gotten a lot more mentally tough. (…) I’ve developed a lot of friendships, and I’ve also grown a lot as a person, being more vocal and just [becoming] more of a leader as well,” Rink expressed.
“I made a lot of friendships, and I’ve gotten close with everyone throughout each year. I feel like I was really close with every single team as it changed throughout the years,” Scheiler mentioned
“I’ve definitely gotten more confident, and this team has made me feel at home, the more and more that I’ve played with these players,” Sennett vocalized.
As they continue on through life, their impact and influence on the program will live on through coach Mueller and the underclassmen they took under their wing.
“The senior group is really special this year. Shelby and Ellie are my last two that I personally coached on a junior high team back when I coached at Parkside, and even Adsea and Ally remember them as 7th graders back at Parkside. Seeing them all the way through the next five to six years has been really special,” Mueller said.
“I think their commitment and dedication to the program is something that I would like our younger players to look up to. Their work ethic and ability to come to the gym every single day and work as hard as they do is really just outstanding. I’m really thankful to them for all that they’ve given,” Mueller recounted.
“Not only are they amazing volleyball players but [some] of my best friends. The seniors had a huge impact on me and the whole program,” Junior Olivia Ziemer recounted.
They will be remembered for qualities passed the court.
“I think they did a really great job of building relationships with everybody in the program. [We try hard] to have a family atmosphere from top to bottom. It’s hard with 36 teenage girls in a gym together, but I think they did a great job with that,” Mueller added.
“[The biggest thing] the under players think is ‘oh wow that’s really hard’ or ‘I can’t do that,’ but I think this group showed that you can start from wherever, but as long as you’re committed to growing everyday, then you’re going to be successful at the end,” Mueller continued.
“On the court they were focused on communication and working together. Off the court they didn’t look down on anyone and connected with the whole team regardless of their age,” Junior Eden Hafermann said.
Mueller had some high praise for each senior, especially for Schieler.
“Adsea’s biggest attribute or one thing that I’ll always remember about her is her ability to be there for everybody, whether it was her teammates or whether it was for the coaching staff. I think she is incredibly kind and aware of the people’s feelings around her and is always willing to talk through things with other people or be a listening ear,” Mueller boasted.
When it comes to toughness, Mueller praised Highland for her elite toughness, no matter the situation.
“[Ally] is just incredibly tough. She’s gone through different things with injuries and things like that, but she is not one to complain about and she’s willing to play through it no matter what,” Mueller stated.
Mueller describes Sennett’s competitive spirit, when she stated, “One of my favorite things about Shelby is her competitive spirit. It doesn’t matter if we’re doing a silly drill in practice or if it’s a game to get to the state tournament, she’s going to bring the same competitive drive for everything.”
Mueller details the selflessness Rink has, and expresses her gratitude to her as the team captain.
“She’s one to always think of others and do whatever the team needs, (…) I think is pretty remarkable,” Mueller elaborated about Rink..
Mueller accredits all of the girls for being with her every step of the way. As a mom, Mueller expresses how it can be difficult to navigate coaching and being a mom.
“[I’m] figuring out what I’m doing because I had no idea, and still don’t. I know that I have changed both as a person and as a coach, and for them to kind of stick with me through that has been really special,” Mueller shared.
She also honors their ability to handle adversity when bumped up from 3A to 4A.
“This group of seniors when they were Juniors did a great job of taking that challenge on face first and going into it fearlessly,” Mueller lamented.
Now, the underclassmen will look to carry the legacy and impact left behind by the seniors.
“[I hope to pass] down their dedication and work ethic they all had throughout practices and games, [and also] the leadership that was emphasized for the past several years,” claimed Hafermann.
“Trying to be the best leader I can be. Also, passing down their work ethic and continuing to try my best,” Sophomore Ella Feltes stated.
The underclassmen thank the seniors for their hard work. Their legacy will be remembered and passed on for generations of Wildcat volleyball players and their championship banners will hang in the gym forever.
