Vander Kooi helps her old team

By Sam Wilson

Published Aug. 31, 2007

When members of the volleyball team showed up for team photo day, there was a surprise addition to the picture.

Jessica Vander Kooi, a member of last season's senior class, had joined the team as a student assistant.

"We were just kind of like, 'Oh, cool,'" sophomore Amanda Hantouli said.

Vander Kooi had been deciding between the position or taking a full-time assistant role at Central Methodist University in Fayette, where Mike Jackson, former director of Volleyball Operations at MU, is now the coach.

"I just thought that I would get a lot more enjoyment working with the girls again, playing with the girls again, just scrimmaging in practice (rather) than actually going into coaching right away," Vander Kooi said. "Here, it's pretty relaxed for me. I just show up for practice, coach a little bit and tell some of the girls what they need to work on. But at the end, I get to scrimmage."

Although Hantouli said Vander Kooi still provides valuable insight, she sees a difference in her former teammate.

"I think it's just a little bit different because it's a new thing for her," Hantouli said. "She's not a very prominent coach, so she's not going to be super outspoken."

Coach Wayne Kreklow said he was never in doubt about wanting Vander Kooi to return.

"When we found out she was going to be here again for this semester, we talked to her right away, because I thought it would be a great opportunity for her to stay involved," he said.

Kreklow said Vander Kooi brings a unique perspective in helping players such as sophomore Megan Wilson, who will occupy Vander Kooi's old spot on the floor.

"To have Jess available to just talk about the little things that helped her and how she did things and the instructional aspect is just really great," Kreklow said.

Vander Kooi said her more recent perspective is helpful.

"I know what the freshmen are going through," she said. "I know what being a sophomore and junior is like. I know what being a senior is like. I've been there in all those different places, so it's easy for me to think how they're thinking."

Vander Kooi spent the spring semester playing professionally in Puerto Rico, where she had to adjust on the court.

"It was a more power game," she said. "A lot of bigger players, a lot of slower players, but they use their power instead of their quickness."

Making the transition off the court wasn't as difficult as might have been expected.

"They use the same currency, most of them speak English, they're a territory of the U.S., they have McDonald's, everything," Vander Kooi said.

She said she is still deciding whether to play more professional volleyball or go into coaching permanently, but for now, the team is her first concern.

On the sidelines, Vander Kooi said she will no longer deal with being a player and having to stay on the side.

"It's extremely hard," she said. "Last weekend, when they were warming up for the first game of the weekend, just watching them and feeling that feeling inside where I wanted to go out there and play. It's very hard to now sit on the sidelines."

The Tigers will play Notre Dame tonight at home, followed by another home match against Florida International on Sunday.