With spring sports just around the corner, teams are preparing for their season. Baseball, softball, tennis, track and volleyball athletes will train and compete throughout the rest of the school year. The players and coaches are assets to every team, but there are students working behind the scenes who may go unnoticed for their efforts: the team managers.
Seniors Caleb and Noah Fries have managed girls’ volleyball during the fall season since their sophomore year.
“I was given the opportunity to be a manager during my sophomore year. Coach [John] Saboe trusted me as a player. He also felt it would help me to be at the games and learn and not only help myself but watch the girls succeed,” C. Fries said.
As managers, the Fries brothers take on multiple responsibilities at practices and games.
“We help set up drills, or even sometimes we participate in them. Other times, we are just lugging equipment to the away games and taking statistics for the team to see if a player is doing well or not. We also provide advice to the younger players,” C. Fries said.
N. Fries and C. Fries both play boys’ volleyball during the spring. N. Fries developed a love for volleyball and has continued his passion for it throughout high school.
“I ended up playing volleyball because I completely fell in love with the sport. Starting my freshman year, I loved the atmosphere in the gym any time we were in there,” N. Fries said. “The coaches make us feel that the entire program is a family, and it brings all of the players and coaches much closer together and helps that team chemistry.”
N. Fries has enjoyed all the opportunities being a manager has gotten him.
“The Erin Dodson game is always extremely special and this one was even more special because the girls came back from down 2-0, getting a reverse sweep to win 3-2. It was the most exciting volleyball game that I’ve ever been a part of, and beating Hollidaysburg made it feel that much better,” N. Fries said.
Senior Kendra Pfeffer wrapped up her sixth and final season being the boys’ basketball team manager. With her dad as the coach, she decided it would be something fun to try when she was in junior high.
“When my dad asked me to be his manager in seventh grade, I really didn’t know what it was. But, I said yes to get to be with my dad,” Pfeffer said. “During senior night, it really dawned on me that I have been doing this with my dad for six years and time just flew.”
Even though Pfeffer has many responsibilities during the winter season, such as running drills, washing jerseys and filling up water bottles, she finds ways to enjoy being a manager.
“I love getting to gain experiences with new people and going to different places. Not many sports teams have managers, especially opposite gender, so it’s really cool to get to be a part of that,” Pfeffer said.
Junior Ellaina Saylor manages the boys’ basketball team along with Pfeffer. Saylor has been a manager since she was in sixth grade.
“My senior year, next year, will be my last year of managing. I highly recommend this experience for anyone interested in the future,” Saylor said.
Saylor has had many memories throughout her time as a manager, but one stands out to her in particular.
“Kendra and I have had a strong relationship ever since we bonded over basketball. Our dads coach together and they are close friends outside of the court. We have many memories together and they will last a lifetime,” Saylor said.
Senior Julia Kline is preparing to manage the boys’ volleyball team for her fourth and last season.
“As a member of the girl’s volleyball team, I wanted to continue going to practices and open gyms, while also getting to see the boys team succeed. Coach Saboe gave me the opportunity to become a team manager and I took it,” Kline said.
Kline has been playing volleyball since elementary school and has had experience. She enjoys getting to see players from the start of their career.
“I have really gained an appreciation for the sport after playing it in elementary school and junior high. I wanted to see more of the games, especially boys’ games, because they’re honestly wildly different from the girls’,” Kline said. “Many of the players have little to no experience in playing volleyball before they join, so it’s rewarding to see them learn and truly appreciate the sport.”
