Elkhorn’s newest volleyball coach is eager to set the team up for success this season. Coach Calle Guthard, the new Elkhorn High School varsity volleyball coach, has already made a lasting impact on the players and program in the short amount of time she has been here.   

“I think building relationships with the girls is my favorite part of volleyball,” Guthard said. “I love competition and I love goal setting. My goal for this season is to take it one step at a time.”

Senior Aaliyaha Maxwell said she is looking forward to the season and working with coach Guthard to make volleyball a great experience.

“Honestly, it kind of sucked having so many new coaches,” Maxwell said. “But the new coach has been very good, and I am excited for this season with her.”

Third year varsity player junior Emmy McElhose said a new approach in practice has given her a fresh perspective. 

“I feel like mentally it’s a lot better for me,” McElhose said. “We practice a lot more as a whole group rather than as just separate teams.”

McElhose said practices this season have different objectives such as players working more as a whole team rather than in separate groups which she said has been great for team morale and helped many of the players feel more included. 

Having three coaches in four years led some players wonder if the program will find stability. Athletic Director Sara Fjell is confident Guthard will provide that.

I think Coach Guthard does a really good job,” Fjell said. “She is very positive and enthusiastic.”

Guthard said she is putting the pressure of game performance on the back burner and prioritizing her players’ mental health. Of course, she wants to win, but it is hard to perform well when you are not getting adequate support.

“Her biggest role is a lot of development this year,” Fjell said.