ADM senior Sami Schepers (Black No. 5) smashes a kill against two Boone defenders in ADM's regional opener on October 18 2017. Photo by RVR's Nate Gonner.
ADM senior Sami Schepers (Black No. 5) smashes a kill against two Boone defenders in ADM’s regional opener on October 18 2017. Photo by RVR’s Nate Gonner.

The difficulty in replacing senior leadership varies from year to year and program to program. Among the five recent graduates the Adel-Desoto-Minburn Tigers varsity volleyball team will try to fill in for this fall is Sami Schepers. Schepers displayed consistent vocal leadership on and off the floor for the Tigers varsity volleyball and track squads last school year. ADM head volleyball coach Mary Beth Scott says Schepers was a special player. “Her leadership was extremely strong,” Scott said, “For her to be the go-to hitter (on the team), and her positivity (makes) Sami (Schepers) one of those (players) that’ll be hard to replace.”

Scott adds each year’s group of upperclassmen bring different personalities with them. “I’m always trying to talk with quite a few of my players about (leadership qualities),” Scott said, “You got to get outside your box, you’ve got to be communicating, you can’t show your emotions if you’re upset. They’re a little quieter than Sami is, but they are doing a good job of being a leader and being a positive role model.”

Two returning players are incoming seniors off ADM volleyball’s 23-12 campaign last fall in Jordyn Crow and Briann Powers. Several incoming juniors could assume leadership responsibilities for the Tiger volleyball team as well this fall. The first official practice of the 2018 high school volleyball season is Monday, August 6. The ADM Tiger volleyball team opens the competition season Tuesday, August 21, taking part in a tournament hosted by Dallas Center-Grimes.