In addition to her duties as assistant coach of the Iowa Western Community College volleyball team, Verespej welcomed a daughter, Keira Grace, in February.
The added responsibility of motherhood didn't negatively impact her coaching. The Reivers finished the regular season with a 52-4 record and earned the No. 1 seed in the National Junior College Athletic Association volleyball tournament, which begins Thursday at the Mid-America Center. The Reivers are pitted against the No. 16 seed Spartanburg Methodist.
|
|
"It's awesome," Verespej said. "She travels with us to all our matches; she hasn't missed a single trip or a single game, she's there at all times."
But balancing motherhood and coaching can be a tough task. Verespej wakes up early in the morning and spends time with Keira before taking her to daycare.
Next, it's off to work where Verespej might do anything from helping schedule a player's classes to putting together workout and practice programs for the day.
It's then back to daycare to pick up Keira. Verespej usually brings her to the Reivers' practice, where she'll stay while her mom coaches.
Some recruiting work among the IWCC coaching staff may follow practice, then, it's back home for dinner and some much-needed rest.
"It's a nice, long day," Verespej said. "It's very fulfilling to not only see my kid change every day, but watch our players develop and grow and learn things every day, too."
Verespej has done great things in volleyball as both a player and coach.
However, to discover the root of Verespej's success with the game, talk to Iowa Western head coachTerry Gamble.
Gamble's relationship with Verespej goes far beyond the four years the two have shared together on the Reiver campus.
When Verespej was just nine years old, she participated in one of Gamble's camps, the Blue Water Volleyball Club, in Port Huron, Mich. She played from the age of nine until she was a senior in high school.
After high school, Verespej played for Gamble at Mott Community College in Flint, Mich. She would go on to finish her education at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich, and soon after joined Gamble's coaching staff.
Gamble has seen many talented volleyball players throughout his coaching career, but he remembers Verespej as a special player, one who understood the finer points of the game.
"She was a defensive specialist and a great player talent-wise; but not only that, she had a no-lose attitude," Gamble said. "She went after everything and was high-intense.
"She was the ideal player to have. I never had to get mad at anybody else; I never had to yell at anybody else. If I needed the team to snap and get together, I'd just yell at Becky."
Having worked together for so long also benefits Gamble and Verespej as coaches.
"She sees exactly what I see, so it's like having two sets of eyes looking at different things," Gamble said. "We're both looking for the same thing so it's like having two coaches that know the system in and out. It's a big advantage for us."
Gamble, Verespej and the rest of the Reivers will face some major tests this week at the NJCAA tournament. Thursday's opponent, Spartanburg Methodist, owns a 24-7 record. It's a team for which the Reivers must be prepared.
"The kids are excited," Verespej said. "Almost a week-and-a-half break from competition kind of let them get their legs back underneath them and it also kind of builds the excitement of heading into a national tournament.
"We've given them every tool they possibly need, now, it's just a matter of them going out and doing their job."
Iowa Western and Spartanburg Methodist square off Thursday at 1 p.m.
Council Bluffs CVB to give snack coupons at volleyball tournament
The Convention and Visitors Bureau will give away coupons for free snacks to persons attending the NJCAA Division l National Volleyball Finals. The first 500 persons attending the volleyball finals Friday and Saturday will each receive a coupon for a free hot dog, pretzel, or small popcorn ($2.50 value).
"This is a way for us to show appreciation to the many fans of volleyball who will come out and support the teams," said Bob Mundt, President and CEO of the Council Bluffs Chamber. "We've been looking for a way to encourage people to see the games. It's a way to thank the sports fans who attend the finals."
Coupons for the free snacks will only be available to fans Friday and Saturday as they attend the games.
"Once you see how fast the women play, you'll love the games as much as we do. Plan now to come to the MAC and enjoy the action and some free snacks," said Chrissy Caniglia, Director of Group Tours and Sports Marketing for the CVB.
Sixteen teams from around the nation will play in the NJCAA Division I National Finals Nov. 20-22 at the Mid-America Center. The No. 1 ranked Iowa Western Volleyball team is hosting the NJCAA Finals again this year. For game information and to purchase tickets, go online to www.njcaavb.com or www.midamericacenter.com.
