MORGAN MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
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I am incredibly excited and honored to be joining Morgan Middle School as the new head volleyball coach. I know I am stepping into a program with a long history and a coach who invested many years into these athletes, and I have tremendous respect for what has been built here. My goal is to honor that foundation while bringing my own energy, expectations, and love for the game to the program. ~Coach Keller
Our focus this season will be on growth, teamwork, positive attitude, effort, respect, and having fun. We want every athlete to become a better volleyball player while also learning how to be a supportive teammate, a confident competitor, and hard worker, all aspects that will help her on and off the court.
👀 Volleyball At A Glance
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Who: Morgan Middle School girls interested in learning, improving, and competing in volleyball.
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What: Players will develop fundamental volleyball skills including passing, setting, serving, attacking, blocking, defense, communication, and teamwork. Practices will include skill development, drills, conditioning, game situations, and team competition. Players will be challenged to work hard, learn from mistakes, and encourage one another throughout the season.
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Where: Daily meets at Morgan Middle School gyms. Games and locations TBD.
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- August 31, September 1, and September 2
- 2:30–4:30 PM
Regular Season Practices:
- Beginning September 8, practices will be held after school at Morgan Middle School from 2:30–4:30 PM.
- The girls will be ready to pick up no later than 4:45 p.m.
- Practice is at the same time on early release days. Kids are encouraged to leave campus and come back once coaches are there. The commons will be open with a para educator for those wishing to stay and work on school work. Kids will not be allowed to roam the school until practice starts so please plan accordingly on these days.
- Players should be picked up promptly at the end of practice. Coaches are required to remain with athletes until they have been picked up. Please let the coaching staff know if your daughter will be walking home.
Season End:
- Approximately mid October
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- Before participating in practice, each athlete must be fully cleared through the school's online registration process.
- Please complete the registration process as soon as possible so your athlete is ready to participate on the first day of practice.
- Make sure a current sports physical is on file with the school.
- State rules require athletes to complete 7 practices before participating in a match.
⏰ Attendance
- Volleyball is a team sport, and consistent attendance is important for both individual development and the success of the team.
- Players are expected to attend all practices and matches.
- If an athlete must miss practice, a parent or guardian should notify a coach by phone, text, or email.
- Attendance will be considered when determining playing time and team placement.
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Players will be evaluated throughout the preseason on:
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Skills: Forearm passing, overhead passing/setting, serving, attacking
- Movement, agility, conditioning, effort
- Volleyball knowledge
- Attitude/behavior and coachability
- Teamwork and communication
Players will be placed on teams according to their current skill level and ability. The number of teams will be determined by the number of players. Cuts are possible. All girls who dress for a match are required to play in the match. The schedule will be created the beginning of September.
🎒 Practice/Matches Equipment
Each player will need:
- Volleyball or court shoes with white/non marking soles
- Black spandex shorts or athletic shorts (sofee brand, etc.) will be accepted. No jean shorts or big, baggy basketball shorts. Players will need black shorts for matches.
- White crew socks for matches
- T-shirt or athletic top for practice
- Knee pads
- Water bottle
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Uniform for games: Players are responsible for returning their uniforms in good condition. Please wash them in cold water and hang them to dry. No ironing please.
General Dress Code & Rules:
- Wear athletic clothing that allows you to move comfortably.
- Jewelry should not be worn during volleyball activities and will not be allowed in matches.
- All hair should be up in a ponytail with head bands for stray bangs.
- Water only, no sports drinks, juice, or soda is allowed in the gym.
- Please eat lunch everyday and bring a healthy snack or dinner for the bus ride to games.
- No glass is allowed on the bus.
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We want Morgan Volleyball to be a place where athletes feel challenged, supported, and excited to come to practice.
Players are expected to:
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Be coachable. Listen, ask questions, and be willing to learn.
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Give your best effort. Practice with purpose and make the most of our time together.
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Respect others. Treat teammates, coaches, officials, opponents, and school facilities with respect.
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Be a good teammate. Encourage others, celebrate their successes, and support them when things don't go as planned.
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Be responsible. Come prepared, take care of your equipment, and take ownership of your role on the team.
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Have fun. Volleyball is challenging, but it should also be something you enjoy.
🏐 Matches & Playing Time
- All players in uniform will play in each match. Playing time will vary depending on each player’s confidence, skill, attendance, attitude, effort, and coachability.
- Volleyball has specific substitution rules so playing time will not always be divided equally.
- Three sets will be played no matter the outcome in each match. Rally scoring to 25 the first two sets and 15 on the third.
- Players should also expect to contribute to the team when they are not on the court. This may include keeping score, line judging, helping with equipment, and supporting teammates.
🏠 Home Matches
- All home matches will be played at Morgan Middle School.
- We need all players who are not playing to be available to help line judge, score keep, and run the clocks. We ask that any player who plays in the first match to stay and help with the second match.
- Parent volunteers are always appreciated. If you are interested in helping with scorekeeping, line judging, or other match responsibilities, please let us know!
🚌 Away Matches & Transportation
- Players must ride the team bus to away matches.
- Players may ride home with their parent or guardian after an away match once they have been signed out with a coach.
- Bus departure and approximate return times will be provided on the schedule. Families should understand that return times may change depending on the length of the match and travel conditions.
- Players should bring food for away matches as we will not be stopping for food after every away match. No glass containers are allowed on the bus.
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Our goal is to build strong fundamental skills while teaching players how to play volleyball as a team.
We will work towards consistently using three contacts on a side before returning the ball over with a pass, set, and attack, on every serve receive and defensive rally. At the end of the season players will have been introduced to the fundamental skill sets needed to play competitive volleyball: forearm passing, setting, serving, attacking, blocking, offensive and defensive strategies, teamwork and communication.
Just as importantly, we want athletes to learn how to respond when things don't go their way. Volleyball involves mistakes, pressure, and competition. We will work on becoming athletes who respond with encouragement, effort, and confidence no matter what happens. One bad play doesn’t define you. We will learn how to shake off mistakes and stay positive, focusing on the next point.
By the end of the season, every player should be able to look back and recognize how much she has grown—not only as a volleyball player, but as a teammate and person.
🏃♀️ Multi-Sport Athletes
We encourage students to participate in school activities and athletics whenever possible. However, athletes and families should be aware of WIAA and school rules regarding participation in multiple sports and practice attendance. Under state rules, schools cannot offer special privileges (e.g., reduced practice times, late arrivals, early dismissals, or regular missed practices) to accommodate non-school sports activities. Playing time will be based on attendance.
If your daughter participates in another sport during the volleyball season, please communicate with the coaching staff so we can make sure everyone understands the applicable requirements. We would not want a girl to miss out on the opportunity to play if a spot is taken up by someone who cannot commit to the season.
💬 Communication with Coaches
Parents and players, if you have questions or concerns at any time please talk with your or your player’s coach. Communicate with us early rather than waiting until the end of the season. We encourage players to speak with their coach first when they have a question or concern. Parents are welcome to contact the coaching staff as well.
Please understand that post-match is often not the best time for a conversation because coaches are responsible for tearing down the gym, preparing for the next activity, or getting athletes safely onto the bus. We are happy to arrange another time to talk.
We will always respect the privacy of our athletes and will not discuss other players on the team with families.
📋 Coaching Staff
- Lois Keller, Head Coach
- 📞 Phone: 406-599-9677
- ✉️ Email: lois.keller@esd401.org
- Dannica Price, Assistant Coach 8th Grade
- ✉️ Email: dannica.price34@outlook.com
- Madisyn Butenschoen, Assistant Coach 7th Grade
- ✉️ Email: mbutenschoen12@yahoo.com
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Additional Coach: TBD
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MMS Athletic Director: Briley Cameron
- ✉️ Email: briley.cameron@esd401.or
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