By Chris Parker
Willow Springs has a new head coach in Christina Collins this season. This will be her first varsity head coaching job.
“I have always had a passion for sports and played sports all my life. My daughter is going to be an incoming freshman this year, so I thought it was time I get back into coaching,” Collins said. “I had a coach that made a very big impact on my life and I have always said I hope someday I can impact another kids’ life like Coach Jackson did mine.”
The top returning player for Willow Springs is Hailey Sigman. Sigman, a front row middle, earned second-team all-conference honors after leading the Lady Bears in both blocks and aces last year while finishing runner-up in kills.
“Although Hailey Sigman is very quiet and shy as a person, she is going to have a very big impact on our team when she is on the front row. When Hailey makes a big play, the whole team feeds off the energy she generates,” Collins said. “I hate to put a lot of pressure on her, but I told her that the team plays off the impact she has when she is on the front row whether it be her blocking or spikes.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF THE FALL PREVIEWS
Alyssa Von Allmen (senior), Caitlyn McNew (junior) and Ashlyn Jones (junior) are other players to watch for Willow Springs. VonAllmen also earned second-team all-conference honors last year. Jones will be the team’s lone setter this year. She had 173 assists last year.
“I always compare setters and quarterbacks as having the same role, without a good setter the offense has a hard time running smoothly. With Ashlyn taking on the role of this position, I do not have the worry about our offense not running smoothly,” Collins said.
Willow Springs opens the season on Sept. 1 at Hillcrest.
“My expectation for the team is to grow on and off the court from the first practice to the last,” Collins said. “We may or may not win as much as we want this year but if the girls understand what commitment and hard work is, they will succeed as an athlete and a teammate.”
