PENDLETON FALL VOLLEY BALL PREVIEW
By ANNIE FOWLER, CUJ Special Contributor
Primus takes over program after Speer resigns
PENDLETON — It’s never easy being the new kid on the block. It’s even tougher when you are the coach.
Pendleton volleyball coach Jodi Primus, who took over the program just a few weeks ago when Chelsie Speer abruptly resigned, finds herself getting to know the players and their strengths.
“Stepping into the situation and being a new coach is always difficult, but I am stepping into a team that knows how to play,” Primus said. “They are experienced. They are prepped and ready. I just have to fine tune and fill in some holes.”
The Bucks are solid at setter, where Greater Oregon League player of the year Josie Jenness returns. The senior handed out 641 assists and had 45 services aces last year.
“Your setter is like your quarterback,” Primus said. “They run the offense. They are the leader of the team. They are touching the ball more than anyone else on the floor. To have her back and be the leader that she is will be a huge part of our success.”
The Bucks will primarily run a 5-1 offense, but they do have backup setters in the wings if they are needed.
“Maryn Broker has been a backup setter in the past, but I see her more as a defensive specialist,” Primus said. “Caitlin Cooley is a good leader and has a nice set.”
Jenness will have a handful of hitters to hand the ball off to.
Junior Avery Brown returns at middle blocker. She was a GOL first-team selection last year with 198 kills and 31 blocks.
“She been playing not only club volleyball, but beach volleyball,” Primus said of Brown. “When you do that, it improves your jump, reach and overall game. She looks great and will be a huge force for us. I expect to see a lot of action from her.”
Primus still is moving pieces on the chessboard, but she sees junior Sophie Nelson getting time at middle and outside.
“She is a hitter we will rely on,” Primus said. “Lexi Willman is another hitter we will rely on. We went to a camp and I saw a lot of growth in her. Nicole Somnis is another powerful hitter for us. I saw a lot of growth in her this past week. We have four strong established hitters and are looking to fill one more spot. We have some young hitters we will watch develop to see if they can fill that fifth spot.”
While Pendleton has firepower, they do not have a lot of height.
“We are not a real tall team, but we have some girls who can jump well,” Primus said. “Avery and Sophie can jump. They were putting up good blocks at camp.”
The Bucks should be solid on the defensive side of things. Finley Evans had a strong freshman year and was a GOL first-team defensive specialist with 105 digs.
“She covers a lot of ground for us,” Primus said. “Nessa Neveau is a defensive specialist too. She is a good leader as well, and leads by example. I really appreciate her effort and attitude this past week as I get to know them.”
Evans and Neveau will be joined by senior Adrianne Demianew.
“She brings a good effort and attitude, and is a good teammate,” Primus said of Demianew.
While things look good on paper, there are weaknesses that Primus is addressing. One is serving. The other is serve receive.
“That is one of my big focuses early on,” Primus said. “Putting focus on serving and the serve receive game. It makes a difference on momentum shift. If you can’t get a good ball to the setter, you can’t run your offense. We need to get those dialed in. They know how to run a good offense, I just want to make sure we get the setter the ball to utilize our hitters.”
Primus said she also wants to create an environment where the girls can succeed beyond the court.
“One of my focuses is positive energy on the floor and on the bench.”she said. “I preach that a lot. You can create a lot of success with that. Not just in words, but your attitude. Just a smile can go a long way. It’s not always about the end result, but the journey. I want them to have a season where they grow as people, not just players.”
The Bucks won the Greater Oregon League title last year with a 6-0 record. They finished 13-9 overall, losing in the first round of the 4A state with a 3-0 loss to The Dalles.
The Bucks are looking for more this season.
“These girls really want to go to the state tournament this year.” Primus said. “It will depend on their physical and mental approach. I want them to look back and have it be a treasured memory.”
Pendleton opens the season Aug. 29, hosting the Umatilla/Morrow County Jamboree.
Second time around
This is the second time Primus has taken the reins of the Pendleton volleyball program.
“I’m excited,” she said. “I always wondered if I would get another opportunity. I didn’t know if it was the right thing to do, but after this past week, the camp was a good opportunity to get to know the girls and have them put trust in me.”
Primus (nee Justus) graduated from Pendleton in 1998, and went on to play at Blue Mountain Community College and Eastern Oregon University. She was hired to coach the Bucks in 2010.
She coached four seasons before stepping aside to focus on her young family.
“I had to tote my four kids to the gym with me all the time,” Primus said. “Then they got into sports. It was hard to manage their schedules and my husband’s schedule.”
Her daughter Kelsi, now a sophomore at Pendleton, was 18 months old when Primus started coaching in 2010.
“The varsity girls loved hanging out with her,” Primus said. “The boys remember going. They know how much I love it and there is no way I could do this without the support of my husband (Dan) and my kids.”
After her kids were in school, Primus went back to school herself and got her nursing degree. She worked at the hospital, then started working in the school district last year as a school nurse.
“I work at the elementary schools in Pendleton,” she said. “I love being in the schools. It has been a new learning experience for me. The flexibility is good for me with coaching.”
