Grade school friends make MVA 16 National Team

MISSOULA – When sophomores Klaire Kovatch and Kaylee Rammell tried out for the Montana Volleyball Academy U16 teams, they both had hopes of making it on the 16 National Team. When they both made the cut for the team, not only were the grade-school friends the first in the area to make a MVA 16 National Team but this would be the first time they would be on the same side of the net.

Director of Montana Volleyball Academy Nate Michael said MVA has been going since early 2000. It started as a volleyball club for homeschooled youth in the Bitterroot and has grown into one of the most competitive club volleyball groups in Missoula.

Michael said MVA's goal is to provide a place for both boys and girls to play and improve the sport of volleyball in western Montana by providing different kinds of competition levels. The travel teams are made up of players at the top of their game and are exposed to much higher level of competition than can be found in the western side of the state. Michael feels MVA provides a platform for players to reach their personal goals, whether it is making the varsity team or getting a volleyball scholarship in college.

"In order for individual players to take a larger step, it is beneficial for them to play around better players and then take those better players to higher levels of competition," said Michael. "A team like this is going to provide not just athletes that they don't get to see always at their high school levels but it also provides a style of play, whether that be speed or positioning or something new and different that kind of allows each player to grow larger in their own position and specialize a little bit more."

This year there are 10 teams for girls and boys starting with a under 12 (U12) through under 18. Athletes from as far as Great Falls, Helena, Thompson Falls and Bozeman tried out.

"We have a little more exposure than a lot of other clubs. When athletes want to get that experience and collegiate exposure they usually come here," said Michael.

The U16 age bracket has three teams with the best of the three being the 16 National Team. The 16 National Team is the only team from Montana to compete in the Power League in Spokane, Wash. It is made up of 10 players including Kovatch in the middle position and Rammell in the libero position.

Rammell, daughter of Jaylund Rammell in Seeley Lake, attended preschool in Seeley Lake. She now lives in Clinton with her mother Jenny and plays volleyball for Hellgate High School. She played for the Zootown Volleyball Club for the past three years.

"Volleyball has been a great sport for me," wrote Rammell in an email. "I have met great friends who are now like family. I have also had wonderful coaches that have encouraged me to be a good person on and off of the court."

Kovatch had played on the varsity team at Seeley-Swan High School since her freshman year. This is her first year playing club volleyball.

"I really enjoy volleyball and wanted to pursue it further, so I thought I might as well tryout and see what they would offer me," wrote Kovatch in an email.

Nearly 90 athletes came for tryouts Nov. 11 in Missoula.

Rammell was among nearly 30 girls trying out for the libero position. Having experience trying out for club teams, she wrote, "I have learned that you need to find your own way to standout, whether is being positive, cheering others on, hustling for every ball but always giving your best no matter what."

Michael said liberos need to be able to dig a hard-driven ball and cover a lot of court with good speed. Rammell did that very well along with many of the other players. However, Rammell rose to the top during the serve-receive drills making crisp passes and placing them where they needed to be.

"Kaylee moved up everyone's list it went through the try out and was the top rated libero at the end," said Michael. "We've seen her play before but not under this kind of circumstance where she was able to showcase her skill. We were really excited after the try out."

This was the first time Kovatch has had to tryout. She was one of 10 players vying for the middle position.

Michael said Kovatch easily caught everyone's eye because she was one of the tallest ones in the gym. She also had one of the highest approach touches of 9 foot, 7 inches, a good jump touch for a sophomore on these level teams.

"Immediately we were taking copious notes on Klaire as she went through her try out," said Michael. "She is just physical. There are a lot of things technically we could tell she just hadn't been taught yet but the physical part of her athleticism was there. She was kind of a no-brainer."

Both Rammell and Kovatch wrote they were "super excited" to make the 16 National Team roster. This was Rammell's goal and she hopes it will help her get to play at the college level.

"I really hope to advance my skills and play competitively at this level and be a positive leader on the team," wrote Rammell.

"I want to learn even more about all the positions I play and work on positions I'm not as strong in. I'm also looking forward to learning new drills," wrote Kovatch who is looking forward to more practice and game time. "Repetition is key for learning anything and the more I do these skills the correct way, the better at them I will become."

Colleen Frohlich is the coach for the 16 National Team. She is a former University of Montana Griz volleyball player in the early 1990s and was on the coaching staff for the Lady Griz. She was also the head coach at North Idaho College and most recently helped Sentinel High School.

"You always want the coach with the background and the knowledge but Colleen also knows how to teach the intangibles," said Michael. "Not just communication but how you communicate and how you communicate positively. Even teaching a team how to celebrate and cheer properly plans into their dynamics. [Her players] come away really knowing how to be a team once she is done with them."

The 16 National Team starts practicing Dec. 4. They practice three days a week with practices lasting 90 minute to two hours. They have eight matches in Spokane starting Jan. 13 and the Best in the West in Bozeman April 14. If they get a national bid at the regional tournament April 27-28, they will travel to the Girls' Junior National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana July 3-6.

Kovatch and Rammell have known each other since pre-school and have kept in touch since Rammell moved. However, they have always played on opposing teams in volleyball and basketball. Rammell is excited to be teammates, traveling together and having a lot of fun throughout the season.

"I'm definitely looking forward to kicking butt with Kaylee!" wrote Kovatch. "Thanks to everyone who's supported Kaylee and my wreath fundraiser. If you're in Spokane come watch us play!"