Impact
Records
Jean Kesterson
Cathedral High School
Impact Statement
“Check the ego at the door. Make these kids not just better volleyball players but better people”. -Jan Kesterson
Biography
Coach Kesterson, who owns 843 career victories, led Cathedral to Indiana’s 4A state title, plus was named the #1 team in the nation by MaxPreps. Cathedral finished a perfect 36-0, which marks the first-time that a 4A school had a perfect season in Indiana volleyball history.
In the spring of 2015, Kesterson, who also teaches PE and Business at the school, underwent emergency open heart surgery to replace a heart valve and repair her aortic arch.
Since stepping aside in 2016, Kesterson was elected as the first president of the Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association. Here, she’s working to promote high standards of coaching in the state.
Kesterson retired from teaching after 30 years at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
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Professional Achievements
Xavier College Prep
“Put the extra in ordinary and you get extraordinary.” -Khalia Lanier’s father’s words of wisdom
“Put the extra in ordinary and you get extraordinary.” -Khalia Lanier’s father’s words of wisdom
Khalia Lanier
Xavier College Prep
Impact Statement
“Put the extra in ordinary and you get extraordinary.” -Khalia Lanier’s father’s words of wisdom
Biography
Khalia Lanier was an outside hitter for Xavier College Prep who recorded 496 kills, 324 digs and 28 service aces while posting a Kill % of .438.
Lanier led Xavier Prep to the Division I state final this past season. She was a 2015 Under Armour First Team All-American and the nation’s No. 1 recruit as rated by PrepVolleyball.com.
Lanier will also attend USC in the fall.
Lanier continued to excel while at USC. She was named to the Pac-12 All Freshman Team. She was a named AVCA All-America honoree as a freshman and junior. In 2017, she was named AVCA first-team All-American her sophomore year. Over her career, she logged 2025 kills, 1039 digs and 136 service aces.
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Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Corona del Sol High School
“High expectations lead to high results.” -Ben Maxfield
“High expectations lead to high results.” -Ben Maxfield
Ben Maxfield
Corona del Sol High School
Impact Statement
“High expectations lead to high results.” -Ben Maxfield
Biography
Ben Maxfield, who’s been the head coach at Corona del Sol for more than a decade, led the school to Arizona’s Class 6A title for the 2016-17 school year, the school’s first since 1991.
The team finished 39-5 last season with USA TODAY ranking the school No. 5 in its Super 25 national rankings. During Maxfield’s reign as head coach, Corona del Sol has won one state title with two runner-up finishes, along with a 3rd place and 5th place finish.
Coach Maxfield is the first coach from Arizona to win the NHSCA National Volleyball Coach of the Year.
Since being honored, Maxfield has continued his winning ways at Corona del Sol. As he stresses, process over product. Most recently, the Lady Aztecs claimed another league title in November of 2021 and a semifinal berth.
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Community Service
Ben has been very active in the community.
Connect
Records
Personal Honors
Skutt Catholic High School
Brooke Heyne closed-out her scholastic carry by leading her school to a perfect 44-0 record.
Brooke Heyne closed-out her scholastic carry by leading her school to a perfect 44-0 record.
Brooke Heyne
Skutt Catholic High School
Impact Statement
Brooke Heyne closed-out her scholastic carry by leading her school to a perfect 44-0 record.
Biography
Brooke Heyne closed-out her scholastic carry by leading her school to a perfect 44-0 record, a Class B state championship and a No. 2 ranking in the USA TODAY Super 25. Heyne recorded 474 kills, 362 digs and 40 service aces.
Heyne, who will play at Kansas State, was named co-captain of the All-Nebraska team, along with being a MaxPreps’ first team All-American. Heyne was also a 2016-17 Under Armour Third Team All-American. Heyne is the fifth Nebraska student-athlete to win the NHSCA Volleyball Athlete of the Year Award.
Heyne was named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team as a Freshman. She was also the Big 12 Rookie of the Week twice. After suffering a season ending knee injury, Heyne announced in the fall of 2019 her retirement due to medical reasons.
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Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Barnstable High School
“There are pressure situations, and we’ve trained them for those situations. All you can do it set your goals and work to achieve those goals.” -Tom Turco
“There are pressure situations, and we’ve trained them for those situations. All you can do it set your goals and work to achieve those goals.” -Tom Turco
Tom Turco
Barnstable High School
Impact Statement
“There are pressure situations, and we’ve trained them for those situations. All you can do it set your goals and work to achieve those goals.” -Tom Turco
Biography
A graduate of Billerica Memorial High and Bridgewater State University, Turco has served as the Adapted Physical Education Teacher for the Barnstable Public Schools for 28 years.
His first team at Barnstable, in 1988, went just 5-11. Not only was that Turco’s only losing season, but his last 11 Red Raiders teams have a grand total of 12 losses. Last fall, he guided Barnstable to a 23-0 record – the Red Raiders’ ninth unbeaten season in his 24 years at the helm – as well as a second consecutive Division 1 state title, their eighth in nine seasons and 14th overall under his direction. His teams have a record of 528-52, and also have won 17 South Sectional championships.
Barnstable won six straight state titles from 2003-08, and from 2003-07, the Red Raiders won 110 consecutive matches, a state record. From 1995-98, Barnstable put together a 90-match winning streak and won four state titles in a row.
Turco was named National Co-Coach of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) in 2008 and was a finalist for PrepVolleyball.com Coach of the Year honors in 2007. Turco has coached three PrepVolleyball.com All-Americans, one AVCA All-American, seven Massachusetts Gatorade Players of the Year and 42 Boston Globe/Herald All-Scholastics selections. A five-time Boston Globe Division 1 Coach of the Year, Turco was inducted into the Massachusetts Girls Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004.
Since being honored in 2012, Turco continues to lead Barnstable. In 2018, Barnstable won it’s 19th State Championship, the most by any girls’ team in the state in any sport. Another milestone came in November of 2019. Turco and his Red Raiders won his 700th career victory.
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Professional Achievements
Mater Dei High School
“Six titles isn’t important. None of that stuff is. To me, it’s the kids that are important.” -Fred Rakers
“Six titles isn’t important. None of that stuff is. To me, it’s the kids that are important.” -Fred Rakers
Fred Rakers
Mater Dei High School
Impact Statement
“Six titles isn’t important. None of that stuff is. To me, it’s the kids that are important.” -Fred Rakers
Biography
The only volleyball coach Mater Dei has ever had, Rakers, 65, brought a sterling 35-year coaching career to an end last fall.
His Knights compiled a 41-1 record, and sent him out a winner. Ranked No. 26 nationally by PrepVolleyball.com, Mater Dei’s 15-25, 25-18, 26-24 victory over Joliet Catholic Academy in the 3A state final gave Rakers his sixth state title.
With a career record of 1,046-200-7, Rakers stands No. 2 on the all-time victory list among Illinois coaches. The only coach with more victories, Peg Kopec of Wheaton St. Francis High School, was the NHSCA’s National Coach of the Year in 2008.
In addition to his six state titles – the Knights previously won championships in 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 2001 – Rakers’ teams have won 14 state trophies, having finished second once, third four times and fourth three times in 20 state tournament appearances.
He also won four district titles, 24 regional championships, 21 sectional titles and 20 super-sectional championships. Rakers will continue to teach consumer education and career guidance at Mater Dei. His son, Chad, an assistant coach the past four seasons, will succeed him as head coach.
Rakers passed away November 6, 2013 after a fight with cancer.
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Records
Darien High School
“You have to continue to grow. We talk about it a lot here. Nothing is a given. Just because we are Darien, it is not automatic. You still have to work hard.” -Laurie LaRusso
“You have to continue to grow. We talk about it a lot here. Nothing is a given. Just because we are Darien, it is not automatic. You still have to work hard.” -Laurie LaRusso
Laurie LaRusso
Darien High School
Impact Statement
“You have to continue to grow. We talk about it a lot here. Nothing is a given. Just because we are Darien, it is not automatic. You still have to work hard.” -Laurie LaRusso
Biography
LaRusso has built a volleyball powerhouse at Darien. This year she led the Blue Wave to its second 25-0 season in the past three years. Not only did Darien go 25-0 in both seasons, but the Blue Wave didn’t lose a single set in either season.
Since taking over in 1982, her teams have compiled a record of 536-79, with 11 unbeaten seasons. Since 1993 her teams are an astounding 412-10, with six of the losses coming in the 2000 season; once owned a 139-match winning streak; and is riding a current 49-match winning streak dating back to 2008. LaRusso has guided Darien to 19 Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference titles and 15 Class L state titles. Her teams will enter next season as the 11-time defending champions.
She was named National Coach of the Year by PrepVolleyball.com in 2007, the first coach from an East Coast school to receive the honor, and the Connecticut Sports Writers Association named her the Doc McInerney Female Coach of the Year in 2009. She was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007.
Since being honored, LaRusso has continued to lead Darien to success. The Girl’s Blue Waves won another two State Championships in 2012 and 2014. Darien finished second in 2018. The Boys’ team also won another two State Championships in 2011 and 2017. The boys also placed second in 2015, 2016 and most recently in 2019.
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Professional Achievements
West Henderson High School
“It wasn’t just volleyball to me, it was teaching life lessons and seeing how the girls turned out.“
-Jan Stanley
“It wasn’t just volleyball to me, it was teaching life lessons and seeing how the girls turned out.“
-Jan Stanley
Jan Stanley
West Henderson High School
Impact Statement
“It wasn’t just volleyball to me, it was teaching life lessons and seeing how the girls turned out.“
-Jan Stanley
Biography
Stanley started the school’s volleyball program in 1975. This year she led a Falcons team with just one senior on the roster to a 26-0 record, losing just three sets all season, and her fifth Class 2A state championship. During the season she became the state’s all-time winningest coach and her career record is 671-114. She has led the Falcons to eight title-match appearances,previously winning state titles in 1989, 1990, 2003 and 2004.
Stanley, who was named co-National Coach of the Year this year by PrepVolleyball.com, actually owns state titles in two sports. She coached the Falcons to more than 250 victories overall and the 1991 girls’ basketball state championship. Stanley also has coached track and field, tennis and softball at the school. Stanley was inducted into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2008.
Stanley lead West Henderson until her retirement in January 21, 2010. Her coaching career highlighted 30 conference titles and five State Championships. Her career record was 698-116. Stanley ranks second overall for most victories in North Carolina.
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Professional Achievements
St. Francis High School
“If you watched her coach, you would say that she epitomizes what a high school coach should be.”
-Craig Anderson, IHSA Executive Director
“If you watched her coach, you would say that she epitomizes what a high school coach should be.”
-Craig Anderson, IHSA Executive Director
Peg Kopec
St. Francis High School
Impact Statement
“If you watched her coach, you would say that she epitomizes what a high school coach should be.”
-Craig Anderson, IHSA Executive Director
Biography
Kopec, who just completed her 33rd season, is Illinois’ all-time leading winner with a career record of 961-219-2. She has led the Spartans to eight state titles, including four in a five-year span this decade (2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006), and her 2007 team posted a 38-4 record and was the Class 3A state runnerup. Kopec’s teams have finished second in the state twice, third three times and fourth once, for a total of 14 state trophies.
Her teams have won 25 regional titles, and none of her last 22 teams have posted fewer than 32 victories, including three 40-win seasons. Over 200 of her players have earned college scholarships. A member of the Illinois Girls Coaches Association and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Halls of Fame, Kopec was named National Co-Coach of the Year by PrepVolleyball.com in 2006.
Since being honored, Kopec continued to lead the Spartans to success. Kopec’s teams won another four consecutive championships under her watch from 2012 through 2015. After the latest championship Kopec announced her retirement. Their 12th title set a state record.
Over her career 91 of her student-athletes have gone on to play in college. She is the all-time winningest coach in any sport in Illinois state history with a career record of 1,248-260-2.
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Professional Achievements
Burris Laboratory School
“Steve Shondell is Burris volleyball.”
-Chad Wlodarek
Burris’ Athletic Director
“Steve Shondell is Burris volleyball.”
-Chad Wlodarek
Burris’ Athletic Director
Steve Shondell
Burris Laboratory School
Impact Statement
“Steve Shondell is Burris volleyball.”
-Chad Wlodarek
Burris’ Athletic Director
Biography
Shondell, whose father Don won 769 matches in 34 years as coach at Ball State University, has elevated the family tradition at the high school level. Steve Shondell just completed his 31st year at Burris and has won 18 state team titles, a total only two other schools in the nation have exceeded. His coaching record of 1,070-88 – a winning percentage of 92.5 per cent – places him seventh on the all-time victory list nationally.
Shondell led Burris to its first state title in 1982, the first of eight state championships in the open era. Since Indiana established class sports in 1997, Burris has won every Class 2A state title, including its 10th in a row this year while posting a 35-5 record. From 1989 through 1992, the Golden Owls lost just one match, and finished three seasons ranked No. 1 nationally
Since being honored in 2007, Shondell led the Owls to 21 State Championships over the years until 2009 when he accepted the head coach position at Ball State University. He finished with a high school career of 1,183-95.
While at Ball State, Shondell led the Cardinals to a career record of 119-68 during his tenure of six years. In 2010 Ball State won the MAC conference and Shondell was named the MAC Coach of the Year.
In 2017 Shondell was inducted into the National High School Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2019 Shondell was rehired as the Burris head volleyball coach, spending one year at the helm. In September of 2019 he hit win number 1,200 at Burris. He retired as a legend from the sport in 2020 with a final record of 1,209-101.
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Videos
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Professional Achievements
Cardinal Gibbons High School
Crocco finished her legendary career after 40 years with over 1,100 wins and 18 State Championships.
Crocco finished her legendary career after 40 years with over 1,100 wins and 18 State Championships.
Louise Crocco
Cardinal Gibbons High School
Impact Statement
Crocco finished her legendary career after 40 years with over 1,100 wins and 18 State Championships.
Biography
In 38 years as a head coach Crocco built Cardinal Gibbons into a Florida volleyball powerhouse. She has led Cardinal Gibbons to 17 state titles, and her teams sported state title streaks of four, six and five straight. This year’s team was 28-2 and advanced to the Class 4A state quarterfinals, giving her a career record of 1,074-119- a winning percentage of more than 90 per cent. More than 100 of her players have earned college scholarships.
Also the school’s athletic director, Crocco has been named Coach of the Year by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) 18 times. She was inducted into the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1998, and in 2005 became the first woman to be inducted into the FACA Hall of Fame. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association named her its National Coach of the Year in 1988.
After 40 years in coaching, Crocco retired from the sport she loved after the 2009 season. She boasts a fantastic accomplishment of 18 state team titles.
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Records
Professional Achievements
St. Joseph's Academy
“Not only did I love sports, but I loved the strategy of it, not just the playing and winning.” -Brenda LaBlanc
“Not only did I love sports, but I loved the strategy of it, not just the playing and winning.” -Brenda LaBlanc
Brenda LeBlanc
St. Joseph's Academy
Impact Statement
“Not only did I love sports, but I loved the strategy of it, not just the playing and winning.” -Brenda LaBlanc
Biography
In 22 years as a head coach, the last 11 at St. Joseph’s Academy, LeBlanc has compiled a career record of 721-171 and her teams won a combined 12 state titles. St. Joseph’s Academy has won the last four Class 5A titles, something no Division I school has ever done, and also won the 1998 title and finished second in 1999.
Before coming to St. Joseph’s Academy, LeBlanc directed Episcopal School of Acadiana to seven consecutive Division V Class B titles in 11 years. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) named her its Coach of the Year in 2004.
Since 2005 LeBlanc and her Redstickers made it to the state semifinals the following two seasons.
In 2007 LeBlanc announced her retirement after compiling a career record of 786-188.
LaBlanc was inducted into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Amarillo High School
“We’re here to help the kids be the best they can be in whatever they can be.”
-Jan Barker
“We’re here to help the kids be the best they can be in whatever they can be.”
-Jan Barker
Jan Barker
Amarillo High School
Impact Statement
“We’re here to help the kids be the best they can be in whatever they can be.”
-Jan Barker
Biography
Barker led Amarillo High to a 38-2 record and the Class 5A state title this year (2002) over Houston Stratford High. She has led Amarillo High to four state titles, the most ever by any Class 5A school in a state rich in volleyball tradition.
Under Barker’s direction, the school also won titles in 1988, 1994, and 1998, while adding a runner-up finish in 1997. They went on to win four in a row from 2006 through 2009. She also led the Lady Sandies to another Championship in 2016.
Barker retired after 31 years at Amarillo in 2017 capping off an impressive career record of 1,116-175.
StudentSports.com also selected her as National High School Volleyball Coach of the Year. In 2017, Barker was the Amarillo Globe-News Woman of the Year. She is the first recipient from a sports background.
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Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Marysville High School
“Being a good coach is a lot like being a good parent. You won’t get very far if you’re just giving love without discipline, or vice versa” -John Knuth
“Being a good coach is a lot like being a good parent. You won’t get very far if you’re just giving love without discipline, or vice versa” -John Knuth
John Knuth
Marysville High School
Impact Statement
“Being a good coach is a lot like being a good parent. You won’t get very far if you’re just giving love without discipline, or vice versa” -John Knuth
Biography
Knuth has led Marysville High to five consecutive Class B state championships, all in straight games, along with a second-place finish in 1993. In 17 years as head coach, his teams have compiled a record of 742-64-32, including a 60-1 record this season. Knuth had an incredible record of 584-9 from 1997 to 2006.
From 1996 through 2000, his teams assembled a 192-match winning streak, twice as long as the second longest streak in the Michigan record book. The team won 9 straight championships from 1997-2004. Knuth lead Marysville until 2007 and then began to co-coach.
Knuth was also the Marysville Athletic Director and has coached Track & Field for 28 years, Freshman Football for 22 years and also coached Baseball.
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