There’s an old adage that you have to lose big before you can lose small, and you have to lose small before you can win small, and you have to win small before you can win big. The Ellsworth Panthers volleyball team has started to lose small and for the first time in years, was competitive in a majority of sets.

Despite the overall record of 5-18, the Panthers won two more games than last season, 3-17, and played more competitive sets than in the last several years. For first-year head coach Allison Odmark, the program took a huge step in the right direction and made positive strides – regardless of the final overall record.

“We did not end with the season record we were hoping for, but I am very pleased with the demeanor and work ethic of our athletes,” Odmark said. “Our record does not reflect the gains that were made this season. Many games were competitive. We had a great group of positive attitudes and coachable athletes.”

Those coachable athletes, under the direction of Odmark and her staff, began competing in sets against some of the top teams in western Wisconsin such as Prescott. At the New Richmond Quad on Tuesday, Sept. 6, Ellsworth pushed Prescott to the brink before coming up short in the best-of-three series.

One aspect of coaching that Odmark focused on in her first year as the head coach in Ellsworth was controlling the aspects of the game that her team could control. Their response to adversity, their hustle, and their commitment to excellence.

The locker room leadership quickly bought into Odmark’s message and began building a positive culture among the girls. Odmark spoke about the senior leadership that helped her get the roster to buy into what she was trying to do in her first year as the leader of the program.

“The group of three seniors, Jordan (Borst), Olivia (Jensen), and Katelynn (Sears), were phenomenal leaders for us right from the beginning. They were vocal leaders, leaders by example, and took the most of any opportunity given to them in games or practice,” Odmark said. “Throughout the season, they did whatever was needed or asked in practice or games. I appreciated their ‘team-first’ attitudes and that is something that I hope the younger players noticed and embodied from their senior leaders.”

Those senior leaders had their 2022 campaign come to an end in the first round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs when the Panthers were swept on the road against the second-seeded Bloomer Blackhawks, a team that went on to compete in the State Tournament in Green Bay.

The Panthers went into the postseason as a #15 seed, just hoping to remain competitive against one of the best teams in the state. Despite the loss, Odmark stated that even getting an opportunity to compete against a great team in the playoffs was a positive learning experience.

“We knew going in that it was going to be a tough game. Bloomer came out hard,” Odmark said. “There were moments that we stuck with them and we improved as the game went on. We made some lineup changes throughout the match and every athlete embraced her role that evening. That’s what we’ve been working toward all season. Losing a playoff game is tough because that’s our last game with that specific group of girls. Games like that give us a great look at what we want to strive for in the future.”

Given the positive attitude in the locker room, a fresh approach from a completely revamped coaching staff and the returning talent on the roster, there is optimism among the Ellsworth faithful that next season the program could take another step in the right direction.

Six of Ellsworth’s seven primary varsity players are returning next season, including Ava Brookshaw, who will be entering her senior season as the Panthers’ setter. Other notable returners include middle blocker Maleah Petersen, who will be entering her junior year. She made significant strides throughout the season as a full-time varsity player.

“Next year looks very promising as we’re returning most of our starting roster,” Odmark said. “With this full season of experience, I trust the girls grew in their individual and team confidence and grew in the knowledge of the level of play that will be coming at them next season. We are members of an extremely competitive conference and our goal is to fight every game and walk away with a few conference wins next year.”

Ellsworth head coach Allison Odmark speaks to her team during a timeout at the annual Sprawl Tournament in Menomonie earlier this season. The 2022 campaign was Odmark’s first year as the head coach of the Panthers program. Photo by Reagan Hoverman