Name: Katherine Korte

School: Pattonville High School

Mascot: Pirates

Sport: JV Boys Volleyball

Years Coaching: Rookie Year

How is your team shaping up for this season? We are shaping up to have a very dynamic team this season.  We have a great mix of athleticism, intelligence and hustle that make us a competitive team.

Who do you expect to be the leaders on this team and why? Our two team captains, Johan Paul (J.P.) and Dustin Burke, have proven to be strong team leaders.  J.P has intense motivation and drive to succeed which sets the tone for the whole team.  Dustin has a great understanding of how the game is played, tremendous ball control skills, and leads by example.  Senior Maurice White has also stepped up in a leadership role. He has taken on the challenge of a new position, setter, with determination and enthusiasm.

Which athletes do you expect to be impact players this year, why? Our two big middle hitters, Brandon Woods-Horton and Jake Gabbert, will definitely make their presence known this year with their effective blocks and strong hits.  Foreign exchange student Jan-Hendrik Pfleging is a great asset to the team and shows the potential to impact the outcome of any game with his outside hits and defensive skills. Justin Gurnett is developing into well-rounded athlete that will be able to fill in any position in crunch time to make a difference.

What challenges are you expecting this year? The biggest challenge we face this year is a lack of experience in playing as a team.  We have two returning JV players, two sophomores and four players new the sport.  Becoming one fluid and seamless team is our challenge.  Fortunately, everyone is demonstrating the commitment and determination to succeed.

What is the best part about coaching this team? The athletes’ genuineness, effort and humor are the best parts about coaching this team.  We have a diverse group of personalities which adds excitement and variety to practices and games.  Also, their competitiveness and desire to improve as individual players, and as a team, is inspirational.