Yeakel and Ranstead will form relationships to lead M-S Volleyball team

By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com

There’s something new – besides the head coach – within the Mahomet-Seymour volleyball team this year.

Captains.

“We did not have a captain last year because our previous coach wanted everyone to learn how to be a leader/captain,” junior Ainsley Ranstead said.

Ranstead and senior Amber Yeakel were the two Bulldogs chosen as captains this year by their teammates and coaches.

“I have grown into the role of a leader by being knowledgeable of the game, so I can give a lot of feedback to my teammates in a positive way,” Ranstead said.

First-year Bulldog coach Stan Bergman doesn’t tell his players how they should vote when selecting captains, but he emphasizes the need to use caution.

“We ask that they do not vote because of friendship and they vote with the open mind of who is going to represent them the best in all aspects of volleyball,” Bergman said. “The two that were picked show these qualities.

“Both have been very positive and working to improve their game and trying to keep up with a new style of coaching.  Ainsley is positive, talented and kind. Amber is positive, hard-working, and always trying to motivate others.”

The Bulldogs open the season at home on Tuesday (Aug. 27) against Champaign Central. The varsity match will start at approximately 7 p.m.

Though they don’t officially follow in the footsteps of a previous captain, both Ranstead and Yeakel have an understanding of the role.

“From past knowledge, I have gathered that a captain should be hard-working, passionate, trustworthy, respectful, and should understand accountability,” Yeakel said.

Former All-Area standout Savannah Matthews was the recognized M-S team leader in 2018.

“A couple things that Savannah did to show leadership were bringing everyone together on the court after losing a point, having pregame chats with a lot of the players, scouting our opponents and letting the team know what she saw before games and setting an example in practice,” Ranstead said.

An outside hitter, Matthews is now a freshman at Kent State University.

Ranstead doesn’t see just one specific area where captains need to direct their attention.

“For me, being a captain means having a personal relationship with each of my teammates, so that I can talk to them and they know my intentions are good,” Ranstead said. “Also, be the person who holds themselves and everyone else accountable, the person who is willing to make personal sacrifices for the better of the team and a person that everyone looks up to and can trust with anything.”

Bergman said any of the varsity players are eligible to be considered as captains.

“They were selected as a ballot form,” Bergman said. “The girls can un-nominate themselves because they are not interested.

“They write on a piece of paper their two choices from the remaining players.  Coaches also get to vote. We tally the votes, and the most wins. We do discuss before the vote that they reflect on the past week and look for those players that have been consistently leading, showing great work ethic, communicating well and holding the team accountable.”

Yeakel is excited about the opportunity.

“Being chosen by my coaches and teammates to be a captain means they see me as a leader and team player,” Yeakel said. “This motivates me to want to fill out their vision to the best of my ability.

“Being chosen also gives me the opportunity to set the best possible example for the younger girls and work towards the positive, hardworking, drama-free culture we want as a program.”

Yeakel considers volleyball to be more than a sport.

“Volleyball to me is learning some essential life skills such as being able to work well on a team, learning time management, understanding responsibility and accountability, and learning more about myself as an individual, and my strengths and weaknesses within each of those categories,” she said. “It’s also a great opportunity for friendships, and to stay in shape.”

Ranstead puts the team before the individual.

“Volleyball means being committed to a group of girls and a coach who all love the sport as much as I do,” Ranstead said. “It means playing with passion every time I step foot on a court.

“I play for my team, not myself.”

As the Bulldogs established goals, they made sure to set the expectation bar high.

“Some of our goals are to win our conference, win regionals, win the Bulldog Invite and to win 28 or more games for the season,” Ranstead said. “Some goals that I have are the team having a bond outside of volleyball and making it to sectionals.

“I’ve always dreamed of making it to state and I think that is more than doable, if we work hard and hold each other accountable every day at practice.”

Yeakel said she won’t expect anything from her teammates that she doesn’t expect from herself.

“Some roles and responsibilities I see are holding myself to a high standard and making sure everyone else is held to the same standard, such as working hard at every practice or always practicing the proper fundamentals,” Yeakel said. “I also think a big part is making sure every person on the team feels like their feelings and concerns are heard by other teammates and coaches.”

Ranstead said captains must not only take charge vocally, but also by setting the proper example.

“I see some of my roles and responsibilities as holding my teammates accountable not only at practice and games, but outside of the gym, too,” Ranstead said. “A responsibility of mine is to lead by example and never slack off because people would start thinking that is acceptable, when it is not.

“A role of mine during a game is to be able to boost everyone up, when we are struggling in a match or at practice in a drill.”

Ranstead and Yeakel were among the team’s statistical leaders for last year’s 20-13 team.

The 6-foot-1 Yeakel had a team-high 52 blocks. The 6-foot-2 Ranstead was third with 146 kills and tied for second with 23 blocks.

They are among seven returning letter winners on Bergman’s first Bulldog roster. The varsity unit features 15 players, seven of whom are seniors. There are five juniors, two sophomores and one freshman.

The players came together during the summer and have picked up where they left off during the first two weeks of preseason practice.

“Over the summer, I think I was able to show some of my leadership qualities by showing up early to practice, teaching the younger girls some new things, leading by example, increasing competition, and holding my teammates accountable,” Ranstead said. “Over the summer, we accomplished a lot. Having a new coach, we focused a lot on the fundamentals and how he wanted them.

“We have created a great bond between all of the players. We made a lot of goals and set our standards.”

Squad members not only got accustomed with each other during the summer sessions, but developed an understanding of what Bergman wanted.

“During those practices I showed how hard I was willing to work and I did my best to show my positivity and encouragement towards my teammates,” Yeakel said. “This summer I got to know our new coach better and made better relationships with teammates.

“We also got a taste of what practices would look like during season.”

Yeakel hopes she can be a role model for others.

“I think my hard work and accountability can inspire others,” she said.