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WAVERLY — Over the past two seasons, Waverly’s volleyball program has taken significant strides towards sustained success.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
The Tigers have compiled a 27-18 mark during that time, including a 16-9 record this past fall — a year that ended after they earned the program’s first sectional title in the past 10 seasons.
However, going forward, Waverly will have to try and stay on that path with a new leader in place.
Aleah Rhodes has stepped down from her head coaching position after two years in that role — a decision that’s been weighing on her mind for quite some time now.
“The decision to step away was genuinely one of the hardest choices that I’ve had to make,” Rhodes said. “I decided to step away because I felt that I was missing out on important milestones with my girls. My oldest will be four in February and my youngest will be three in June. They are starting to become involved in extracurricular activities themselves. During this last season, I had to miss multiple soccer games, soccer pictures, rushing in and out of preschool orientation to make it to the [volleyball] game in time. And, as a mother, that’s something that you don’t want to miss out on.”
While Rhodes steps away to enjoy time with her family, the Tigers hope to continue building on the culture that’s now been put in place.
That’s one of the many things Rhodes immediately tried to impact upon her arrival.
“I feel like my coaching staff and I have headed Waverly in a positive direction. Winning our first sectional title in 10 years, beating ‘Burg, competing with top-notch teams … But the biggest positive I have is knowing where the program is culture wise. Changing a culture is one of the hardest things as a coach and I truly feel that the program is being left in a positive culture and I believe it will continue.”
The pieces are now in place for that to happen.
Waverly will return multiple starters to the court next fall, including starters Hallie Oyer, Faith Thornsberry and Caris Risner … among many other newcomers.
“The future for Waverly volleyball is bright,” Rhodes said. “There are players still there that are outstanding. The future gets even more bright when the group of seventh grade girls reach high school. They have been playing together since the second grade. Last year, they went undefeated in the season. They have a winning culture and I can’t wait to see the big things they do in high school.”
Rhodes was a standout volleyball player during her own high school career.
After posting 1,001 kills at Piketon High School and earning all-league and all-district honors, she was just as good — or better — at the University of Rio Grande.
As a member of the RedStorm, she posted 1,150 kills, 691 digs and 163 blocks during her four-year career.
Needless to say, the love she has for volleyball will always be there. However, her family comes first and — for now, at least — the game will take a backseat in her everyday life.
“I kept preaching to the girls that no matter what, their own families came first,” Rhodes said. “When I met with them to discuss the decision I had made, I told them what it’s like to be a parent and how I know one day when they become mothers, they will know the feeling I have.
“For the time being, I have to put my coaching career aside to not miss out on any of the moments with my own children because life truly flies by. I’m going to be taking a break from the coaching world, but it’s something I love. So I know I’ll be back in the future. But for now, I’m just going to be a mom.”
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