On first glance at the bench during a Missouri volleyball game, you’ll see 15 girls in uniform, the coaches and four guys in black and gold gear who are tracking every play.
Those four additional members are the behind-the-scenes assistants for Mizzou’s volleyball program: the practice players and the managers.
“Those guys, they do a ton of stuff for us that is really helpful,” coach Wayne Kreklow said. “Things that usually nobody sees. The assisting on a daily basis with a whole number of things that would be really hard to do without them.”
Half of these assistants are the practice players, seniors Derek Koetter and Brendan Vogel.
After playing volleyball in high school, Koetter had to pick between playing volleyball at a smaller Division II college or attending a big school and getting the atmosphere he wanted.
Mizzou happened to be the best of both worlds.
“I knew I wanted to stay involved in volleyball, just because I was so close to playing in college,” Koetter said. “I wanted it to still be in my life. It’s really fun seeing people grow as players. They’re like your family.”
As practice players, Koetter and Vogel aren’t able to travel with the team because of NCAA regulations. But they are vital in their role on the team — they help run and participate in drills, scrimmage, set up equipment and do anything else the coaches need.
The second half of the behind-the-scenes crew consists of managers Connor Gregston and Josh Stephens. Unlike practice players, they are allowed to travel with the team. They also take statistics during games and help prepare equipment for practices.
A longtime Mizzou fan, Gregston grew up around volleyball due to his sisters playing competitively. After participating in both swimming and volleyball in high school, he decided to attend MU instead of swimming in college. When he found an opportunity to get involved with the volleyball team, he took advantage of it.
For Gregston, a sophomore, being able to travel is one of the best parts of being a manager.
“We’ve gone all over the country,” Gregston said. “It’s been really cool to see all the campuses and different SEC schools.”
Like his fellow manager, Stephens also was a multi-sport athlete. After playing soccer for a few years in high school, he switched over to volleyball and learned to love the game.
“In high school, I really loved the sport,” Stephens said. “I wasn’t ready to give it up. So when I had the opportunity to come here, I took full advantage.”
It’s all of the little things each of these four do that helps keep the team running smoothly. From shagging balls to filming video, they’re there for whatever the coaches need. And it doesn’t go unnoticed.
“They’re part of our program just like the players,” Kreklow said. “We’ve been really lucky because these guys have really done a great job,”
Not only do the four of them make the coaches’ lives easier, but they improve the players’ lives as well. Their presence on and off the court is equally as strong.
“Even when we have off days and we all want to hangout with each other, they’re there with us,” senior hitter Regan Peltier said. “We enjoy having them around because they make us better and I’m so thankful that we have them. They’re some of the best guys ever.”
