Iowa Falls-Alden volleyball welcomes 2002 alumna and former volleyball player Betsy Dunphy to lead the program as head coach this fall. Dunphy was a state champion with Iowa Falls volleyball in 1999 and has coached over the years in Florida and Texas.
Dunphy on returning home to lead the program and its impact on her growing up.
“That was a really big draw for me, giving back to a community and a program that was really integral in me developing as the player that I was very fortunate to develop into,” says Dunphy. “I was fortunate enough to be a part of that state championship team. Just being in the gym and practicing with such elite players really helped everybody in that gym raise their level of play. Then being able to learn the game from Coach Rickles was really awesome.”
Dunphy describes her coaching method entering first year with the Cadets.
“I ask that these girls stay a student of the game and stay learners. I think that if they do that, that gives them the permission to make mistakes but learn from it. I really want to see these girls feel safe enough to take some risks in games and to try some new things. I think if we do that and we do our job as coaches empowering them to feel confidence to play within themselves and to play with some risk, I think that we are going to learn a lot.
The Cadets return six seniors with varsity experience, led by Makayla Howland with a team second-best 124 assists last season.
Dunphy on the attitude and leadership potential of returners.
“I’m really excited to get to work with this group of girls. From the juniors that are going to be moving up into that senior role, they are such a positive group of girls. They are going to blossom into some really fantastic leaders for the team. I’m excited to get to have them be a part of this first year, where we are laying the foundation for the direction that the program is going to go. They really get to be the first group of girls to hold the pen in their hand to write this new chapter of Iowa Falls-Alden volleyball. I feel like they’re going to step into that ownership role of being the leaders.”
Iowa Falls-Alden volleyball travels to Waverly-Shell Rock to take part in a four-team scrimmage on Thursday. The Cadets will host South Hardin in their season opener on Tuesday, August 27.
