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Whether it be the athletes, administrators or community members, anyone with ties to Platte Valley’s volleyball program shares the desire to see the Broncos recreate their elite status of previous decades.
For much of the past two decades, Platte Valley was the clear ruler of small-school volleyball.
The Broncos remain in the record book for the most volleyball state titles in Colorado history, filling the trophy case with a jaw-dropping 14 gold balls.
So, with an eye on recapturing Platte Valley’s past glory, Jared Rudiger looks to build on the foundation laid by the Broncos’ last two coaches, Robin Lind and Brianne Smith.
Rudiger was a hands-on contributor for past Platte Valley championship squads and hopes to contribute to future ones, recently accepting the Broncos head coaching job after Lind stepped away following four years at the helm.
“I’m really blessed that my career, my family, the school board and the administration at Platte Valley have given me the opportunity to go back to where I started my coaching career,” Rudiger said. “I’ve always known in my heart that I have a place for Platte Valley. ... I definitely feel like I have the knowledge and the positive energy to hopefully rekindle the volleyball program and hopefully be a state contender in the next few years.”
Rudiger was an assistant under Lori Willadsen for three Platte Valley state title teams in the late 1990s/early 2000s. He won another title as the Broncos head coach in 2003 before joining the University of Northern Colorado’s coaching staff in 2005.
In recent years, he’s experienced more championship success, serving as an assistant coach to Rene Aafedt at Valley for the last four years, helping the Vikings to a Class 3A state title in 2010.
Under Aafedt, Rudiger shared coaching responsibilities with a knowledgeable staff that includes Michelle Chacon, Roz Ewing and Amy Wehrman.
Rudiger admitted walking away from such a tight-knit staff and such a dedicated program wasn’t an easy decision.
“It was very difficult,” said Rudiger, a 1997 Valley graduate. “I had lots of in-depth conversations with Rene before I made this decision, and the best thing about this decision is her and I have made a commitment to continue our friendship and coaching relationship on a level more than just ‘You’re the rival school at Platte Valley, and we’re rival coaches, per sé.
“We committed to making our programs stronger and (focus on) what’s best for volleyball in the northern Colorado community. We’re going to work together, rather than against one another.”
Rudiger said the decision was made easier after he was showered with support from former Valley co-workers, his future Platte Valley colleagues, friends and, most importantly, family.
“That was probably the hardest thing about leaving Valley: My family was part of (the Vikings’) family,” Rudiger said. “But, I feel that the Platte Valley community will welcome my family with open arms.”
The Broncos have had plenty of success in recent years, making periodic trips to the state tournament. While programs like Colorado Springs Christian, Valley and defending 3A champion Eaton have grown into 3A powerhouses during the past decade, Platte Valley finds itself nearly nine years removed from its last state title.
Rudiger said he is well aware that rebuilding a championship dynasty in Kersey will not be an overnight process.
“It’s going to take, I believe, several years to establish myself and the strategies and philosophies that I believe in,” Rudiger said. “But I truly feel my experience at Platte Valley and just being in the volleyball community for as long as I have — 13 years — I think that helps me know the area and know what it takes to be successful in the Patriot League and at the state level.”
Rudiger also coaches volleyball at the club level for the NORCO program.
Although Rudiger said he doesn’t require nor pressure his prep players to play club volleyball, he is encouraged by the fact that Platte Valley has a sizeable group of players who are self-motivated to hone their skills by playing year-round.
“There are some very committed volleyball players in the program,” Rudiger said. “I have 12 to 15 kids in my program playing club volleyball right now, which speaks very highly of the commitment level from the families and the kids in the program. ... Cortlynn Franklin, Rachael Moralez and Abby Reinick — my three seniors (this fall) that were juniors last season — will help build that program to where we’re not just knocking at that door, but we’re going through that door.”
Bobby Fernandez covers county schools sports for The Tribune. Reach him at (970)392-4478 or by email at bfernandez@greeleytribune.com.
For much of the past two decades, Platte Valley was the clear ruler of small-school volleyball.
The Broncos remain in the record book for the most volleyball state titles in Colorado history, filling the trophy case with a jaw-dropping 14 gold balls.
So, with an eye on recapturing Platte Valley’s past glory, Jared Rudiger looks to build on the foundation laid by the Broncos’ last two coaches, Robin Lind and Brianne Smith.
Rudiger was a hands-on contributor for past Platte Valley championship squads and hopes to contribute to future ones, recently accepting the Broncos head coaching job after Lind stepped away following four years at the helm.
“I’m really blessed that my career, my family, the school board and the administration at Platte Valley have given me the opportunity to go back to where I started my coaching career,” Rudiger said. “I’ve always known in my heart that I have a place for Platte Valley. ... I definitely feel like I have the knowledge and the positive energy to hopefully rekindle the volleyball program and hopefully be a state contender in the next few years.”
Rudiger was an assistant under Lori Willadsen for three Platte Valley state title teams in the late 1990s/early 2000s. He won another title as the Broncos head coach in 2003 before joining the University of Northern Colorado’s coaching staff in 2005.
In recent years, he’s experienced more championship success, serving as an assistant coach to Rene Aafedt at Valley for the last four years, helping the Vikings to a Class 3A state title in 2010.
Under Aafedt, Rudiger shared coaching responsibilities with a knowledgeable staff that includes Michelle Chacon, Roz Ewing and Amy Wehrman.
Rudiger admitted walking away from such a tight-knit staff and such a dedicated program wasn’t an easy decision.
“It was very difficult,” said Rudiger, a 1997 Valley graduate. “I had lots of in-depth conversations with Rene before I made this decision, and the best thing about this decision is her and I have made a commitment to continue our friendship and coaching relationship on a level more than just ‘You’re the rival school at Platte Valley, and we’re rival coaches, per sé.
“We committed to making our programs stronger and (focus on) what’s best for volleyball in the northern Colorado community. We’re going to work together, rather than against one another.”
Rudiger said the decision was made easier after he was showered with support from former Valley co-workers, his future Platte Valley colleagues, friends and, most importantly, family.
“That was probably the hardest thing about leaving Valley: My family was part of (the Vikings’) family,” Rudiger said. “But, I feel that the Platte Valley community will welcome my family with open arms.”
The Broncos have had plenty of success in recent years, making periodic trips to the state tournament. While programs like Colorado Springs Christian, Valley and defending 3A champion Eaton have grown into 3A powerhouses during the past decade, Platte Valley finds itself nearly nine years removed from its last state title.
Rudiger said he is well aware that rebuilding a championship dynasty in Kersey will not be an overnight process.
“It’s going to take, I believe, several years to establish myself and the strategies and philosophies that I believe in,” Rudiger said. “But I truly feel my experience at Platte Valley and just being in the volleyball community for as long as I have — 13 years — I think that helps me know the area and know what it takes to be successful in the Patriot League and at the state level.”
Rudiger also coaches volleyball at the club level for the NORCO program.
Although Rudiger said he doesn’t require nor pressure his prep players to play club volleyball, he is encouraged by the fact that Platte Valley has a sizeable group of players who are self-motivated to hone their skills by playing year-round.
“There are some very committed volleyball players in the program,” Rudiger said. “I have 12 to 15 kids in my program playing club volleyball right now, which speaks very highly of the commitment level from the families and the kids in the program. ... Cortlynn Franklin, Rachael Moralez and Abby Reinick — my three seniors (this fall) that were juniors last season — will help build that program to where we’re not just knocking at that door, but we’re going through that door.”
Bobby Fernandez covers county schools sports for The Tribune. Reach him at (970)392-4478 or by email at bfernandez@greeleytribune.com.
News and notes
» Simply outstanding: Valley senior 170-pouner Austin Trujillo has had a picture-perfect wrestling season up to this point. He improved his overall record to 31-0 after going 4-0 in his home gymnasium at the Valley Invitational on Saturday.
Trujillo (ranked first in Class 3A by On the Mat) capped the day by scoring a 16-2 major decision against the top-ranked 170-pounder in 4A, Sterling’s Luke Engelhaupt (34-1), who entered the match undefeated. For his efforts, Trujillo earned the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler award. » For all the marbles: Eaton’s girls (6-0 Class 3A Patriot League, 13-1 overall) travel to Brush to take on the Beetdiggers (6-0, 12-1) at 7 p.m. Friday. The matchup will likely decide the Patriot League champion. The Reds have won seven straight games. Their only loss this season is against four-time defending champion Holy Family. Brush lost to that same Tigers team in its season opener. The Beetdiggers have won 12 straight games since. » Prime for an upset?: Just a couple of weeks ago, Highland’s home boys basketball matchup against Patriot League foe Valley at 7 p.m. Friday seemed like it would be just another blip on the radar as both teams wind down the regular season. After a four-game win streak, the Huskies (3-3 Patriot League, 7-7 overall) suddenly appear like a team that could give the unbeaten Vikings (6-0, 14-0) a run for their money. Highland is one of few teams with the size to match up with Valley’s twin towers, 6-foot-7 senior center Tanner Schmidt and 6-foot-7 senior swingman Joe Dellenbach. The Huskies are anchored by 6-foot-6 shot-blocking senior center Kyle Stuehm and Jacob Hasbrouck, Highland’s powerful 6-foot-3 junior scorer/rebounder. » Baby steps: Platte Valley continues to work toward rebuilding its girls basketball program. Though wins have been tough to come by for the Broncos (1-5 Patriot, 2-11 overall), Platte Valley coach Jim Elrick said his team has shown tangible signs of improvement since the season started nearly two months ago. “I really believe that they are (improving),” Elrick said last week. “What we have to battle the rest of the season is being consistent. For the most part, we compete against some really good teams. It’s just about developing consistency.” “Moral victories have to end. We need to start winning, and I think we will.” » It’s official: Eaton’s senior baseball trio of pitcher Brandon Koehler, infielder Weston Hager and pitcher/infielder Cory Dyer have officially signed to play baseball at Colby (Kan.) Community College after giving their verbal agreement months ago. The trio signed their letters of intent earlier this month at Eaton High School. Colby is one of the top Division I junior college programs in the nation. The Trojans (42-20) were one of only 16 junior college teams in the nation to win 40 or more games this past spring, finishing the regular season just one game out of first place in the Kansas Jayhawk Conference Western Division. Colby went on to win its super regional tournament, falling just short of advancing to the Junior College World Series. Bobby Fernandez |
