28 • The Beacon April 21 , 2022
Kids America JO Volleyball team headed to nationals
By Josie Sellers
Kids America ’ s 18 ’ s JO Volleyball team is making a name for itself . The team qualified for nationals , and eight of the 10 young ladies will travel to Phoenix , Arizona for the USAV 18 ’ s National Tournament April 22-24 .
“ There are different levels of JO Volleyball , and the higher you go , the pricier it gets ,” coach Jen Bickel said . “ We have athletes that can play at those levels , but we don ’ t want to make people pay that price . This group is very talented and in the top 10 in the OVR . They had a bid tournament for nationals because they didn ’ t have enough teams to fill the spots , and we played well enough to get a bid .”
Going into the tournament , the ladies are 57-1 overall and 114-5 in sets . In addition to Bickel , they are coached by Mee Ok Won .
“ It ’ s been emotional getting here ,” Bickel said . “ The
Submitted
Kids America ’ s 18 ’ s JO Volleyball team is making a name for itself . The team qualified for nationals , and eight of the 10 young ladies will travel to Phoenix , Arizona for the USAV 18 ’ s National Tournament April 22-24 .
team as a whole , I ’ ve coached for two years , but there are individuals on it I ’ ve coached for five years or more . I know the work they ’ ve put into this . They are a special group of kids .”
The team includes eight seniors and two juniors . Most of them are from Coshocton County high schools , but there also are a few from surrounding counties .
“ I ’ ve been playing JO Volleyball for six years ,” said Harmony Mast , a senior at West Holmes High School . “ I enjoy making new friends and coming here to play volleyball .”
She is both excited and nervous about the team ’ s trip to Arizona .
“ We have a really good chance ,” Mast said . “ We communicate well , we are friends and we get along . That helps us out when we play .”
Jalynn West , Bickel ’ s daughter , has played with this group of girls for two years .
“ It feels like it ’ s been forever though ,” the Coshocton High School junior said . “ We ’ ve meshed so well since the beginning . I started JO Volleyball because of my mom , but now I ’ d play for the rest of my life if I could .”
West was shocked when they made the tournament but very happy .
“ This wasn ’ t supposed to happen to us — a team from little , old Coshocton ,” she said . “ People used to see Kids America on their schedules and think it was an easy win . Now they see us and worry . We ’ ve made a name for ourselves .”
West ’ s high school teammate Ella Bible said their hard work plays a big part in their success .
“ We are in the gym three days a week , 5:30-9 p . m .,” said Bible , a senior at Coshocton . “ We are well coached too . This is an amazing opportunity that no other Kids America team has done yet . It ’ s really cool for us .”
Ridgewood High School senior Karissa Gress said this is the hardest-working group she has been a part of .
“ We are so determined and expect each other to work hard ,” she said . “ This is an exciting and awesome opportunity for us . I love everything about JO Volleyball , especially my teammates .”
Tri-Valley High School senior Abby Stanford has played with other clubs but thinks Kids America is the best .
“ It ’ s more than volleyball ,” she said . “ It ’ s like a family . I ’ m looking forward to spending time with everyone on the trip , getting to play at the national level and representing Kids America .”