Volleyball Moms
MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/30/16) --- Look up the definition of "mother" on Pinterest, and other social media boards, and an unexpected definition comes up.
"One who does the work of many – for free."
Under that definition Cobber volleyball seniors Mandy Mercil and Jena Klaphake are definitely the acting-mothers of the Cobbers.
The duo has guided a young Cobber team to a 5-8 record through the first four weeks of the season.
How young? Seven of the 12 members are freshmen.
Although Concordia took their lumps at the Northwestern (Minn.) Invite and the Nike/Eastbay Fall Classic in Eau Claire, Wisconsin the team has rebounded and enters this weekend with a promising 2-1 mark in the MIAC.
Minus the film's tragedy, the 2016 Cobber volleyball season is a mirror image of the movie "We Are Marshall".
The freshmen have been forced to step in and play huge roles – and they are learning despite the bumps in the road.
Call Mercil and Klaphake Concordia's version of Nate Ruffin.
The pair has been mentors to the young freshmen on and off the floor.
"We just help the freshmen out with whatever they need. On the floor they are still learning how to play the college game and off the floor we show them what to do and how to do them – just the little things," said Klaphake.
Mercil and Klaphake have led the Concordia offense as the team's setters for the past four years. They learned from seniors Angie Waller and Kayla Hampton how to operate in college athletics.
Head coach Tim Mosser hopes their competitive drive and fire will stick with the seven first-year players throughout their time at Concordia.
"Those girls know what it takes to be successful. You can see them also – as a Mom would do – be patient with the young girls. They help them with technique, how to be relaxed, and how to perform both in and out of the classroom," said Mosser.
"Having them (Jena and Mandy) know what it takes to be a Cobber has been invaluable for us."
Mentoring young volleyball players might not be the most indicative characteristic of a good mother – but in the case of Mercil and Klaphake – it should be.
Written by Sports Information Intern Austin Hawkins