This year at Gordon Rushville there has been a rise in the interest of girls sports. That includes cross country, wrestling, basketball and volleyball. The Gordon-Rushville varsity volleyball team consisted of 4 seniors this year, McKinley Grover, Haley Johnson, Skye Tausan and Trinity Taylor. Other varsity players were juniors Emma Martins, Braylynne McKimmey and Rylie Shultz. Sophomores were Addison Slama, Rowan Simonson, Mckaley Grover, Taileigh Starr, Kylie Goings, Makenna Feddersen and Reese Simonson.
With a big chunk of hitters graduating there is a need for younger girls to step up. Ashley Martins has a passion for volleyball.
All throughout her daughter Emma’s career, Ashley has been by her side. She coached her daughter up until middle school.
Coach Kim Turnbull-Campbell, Head Coach of Gordon- Rushville Volleyball, presented the idea of a spring club team and Ashley took the idea head on and decided it was something she was very interested in. She wanted to see the level of play grow in these younger athletes.
Martins mentioned her idea to Callie Nelson. Nelson shares a great love for volleyball alongside Head Coach Ashley Martins. The two of them started working together to make things happen. Soon enough, Panhandle Premiere became a registered club.
They started tryouts the 28 of January. From ages 14-18 there were 15 girls in all. Coach Martins is very passionate about these young girls, “I wanted to give our local girls the opportunity to expand on their experience and playing time in order to get ready for their high school season,” she said.
Her goal for next year is to expand and add more teams.
“I’m hoping to work with more girls from the highway 20 area and build our offseason program,” added Martins.
Coach Callie Nelson, a graduate of Gordon-Rushville, has been alongside Coach Martins and has been helping to make this season happen.
“There is a lot to be excited about, I think the thing I’m most excited for is that we have enough girls in the area who are wanting to do extra work outside of their regular season to make themselves better,” Assistant Coach Nelson said.
Coach Nelson loves seeing the girls come out of their shells and bringing energy and leadership to the floor. She is happy to see each girl improve with every practice.
The athletes on Panhandle Premiere are excited to get in the gym and get reps in. A fellow athlete from Gordon Rushville, Rylie Shultz, is one of the players.
“I’m really looking forward to getting closer with this team and having fun traveling to different towns and growing as an athlete going into my senior year.”
Rylie Shultz is a big leader on the Gordon-Rushville team.
Panhandle Premiere is one of only a few clubs in the panhandle area and gives our local athletes a chance to grow their love for the