4 days Ago
Calvary’s coach speaks to his players during a LHSAA Division IV playoff match against Thomas Jefferson at Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport, La., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Sonny Kerbow wants to build a volleyball dynasty at Calvary Baptist Academy. That doesn’t seem like it would be that difficult considering the recent success of the Cavaliers’ athletic program -- football, baseball and softball have recorded recent state championships, just to name a few. However, that type of high school volleyball success from a northwest Louisiana program isn’t just tough, it’s unheard of.
Thursday, Kerbow’s Lady Cavs bowed out of the state quarterfinals for the fourth straight season. There still hasn’t been a local volleyball team record a victory in a match at the state tournament. Although Calvary suffered another immediate exit in Lafayette, don’t lump it in with the rest.
Kerbow’s diligence and the Lady Cavs’ 2024-25 squad have put the program in position to make more history. The new approach started with an ego check. “We went down to (Metairie Park) Country Day and played a tournament there,” Kerbow said.
“You look up (at the banners) and they’ve won 14 of the last 15 state titles. “I’m driving back and said, ‘Sonny, you need to put your ego to the side,’ so I called their coach and asked for the secret sauce.” Julie Ibieta, who led her team to a 15th state crown in 16 seasons this weekend, said setting the foundation with a middle school program is essential to sustained success.
Beginning in fifth grade, Country Day lets students choose volleyball instead of PE. “They have them five days a week in volleyball in the fifth grade,” Kerbow said. “I said, ‘We gotta do that.
' “We had only had five or six freshmen to try out this year. Some schools have 100. We have to build a bigger middle-school program.
” Thanks to administration that"s "all-in" according to Kerbow, the process is under way. And it’s not unlike the blueprint of Calvary football. This season, Calvary had 80 girls in the middle school volleyball program.
“We’re trying to create that homegrown situation like Country Day,” said Kerbow, who expects at least 15 freshmen to try out next season. Another change: The Lady Cavaliers varsity girls have ownership in the program. Seniors serve as coaches for the middle school.
“They love volleyball. A lot of the (middle school students) are saying they want it to be their top sport over softball or cheer or tennis,” Calvary senior Susanna DiStefano said. “It’s great to see kids are affected by the way you coach or talk.
” Another senior, Shelby Simmons says the “vibe” is like night and day compared to when she began volleyball as an eighth grader. “It’s a whole different playing field,” she said. “Back then, our practices were all over the place, We were still trying to figure out volleyball.
We hadn’t played before.” Kerbow would also like to develop varsity coaches. Down south, he’ll look down the court and some schools have a volleyball staff of eight.
“It’s not just Calvary, we just don’t have a lot of coaches up here.” Kerbow said. “If we can get the faculty involved, and with the middle school program, five years down the road, we will have a monster.
” Although her career with the Lady Cavs ended without a victory in a state tournament match, DiStefano understands – and appreciates -- the impact her group has had on the girls who will follow in its footsteps. “The next few years, we’re going to have an insane program,” DiStefano said. “Calvary is about leadership and honor and sports.
Sports is a huge part of Calvary and we are going to have a great program.”.
