Click here to view the complete September/October
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By Jocelyn VerVelde, TTU Sports Information
Coordinator
Editor's Note: The following is the cover story on the
September/October issue of unlimited magazine. Coach Dave
Zelenock's Golden Eagle volleyball team plays its first home
matches of the year this weekend, hosting Murray State Friday at 7
p.m. and Austin Peay Saturday at 2 p.m. Admission is free.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Whether diving into a pool or diving into a
new opportunity, there are two options: sink or swim. Dave
Zelenock, the new head volleyball coach at Tennessee Tech, would
prefer to swim, and so far he has navigated his way as well as
Michael Phelps swims the butterfly.
In January of 2013, Zelenock was hired as the newest head
volleyball coach of the Golden Eagles, and he moved to Cookeville
with his wife Jamie, their son, Jacoby, who was five months old at
the time, and their two schnauzers, Lexi and Buddha.
“The first two months were a blur,” said Zelenock.
“Between learning the ins and outs of Tennessee Tech and
learning the team and finding out how to best train them for the
2013 season, I was also trying to recruit based on what I thought
the team would need. During all of that I was trying to find a
house for my family, while we stayed in a one bedroom apartment
with two dogs and a then five-month-old.”
Personally, Zelenock’s family adjusted pretty well.
“My wife fell into a job pretty quickly, which was great. My
son, Jacoby, attends a great daycare that we are so thankful to be
able to take him to. The dogs are even enjoying the warmer weather.
My wife and son are still getting used to how nice everyone is.
Being from the north, it’s not normal for strangers to come
up and talk to you or want to talk to the baby. Being a coach for
so long, I’m very used to talking to anyone, so that
hasn’t been too big of a culture shock for me.”
Zelenock’s recruiting started off swimmingly, as well,
landing a recruit within the first week alone.
"The first major thing I did was recruit a setter for this
upcoming season. I got to campus on a Monday and Sharon Anderson
visited that Friday. I think she committed less than a week later,
which was huge for us."
He was also able to bring in three more athletes to finalize the
2013 class.
“For 2013 we picked up Sharon within a week and Irem Sile
within a month. Rachel Travis was already in contact with the
previous staff and loved TTU so that was a no-brainer to bring her
in. Kennedy Wade was our last commitment for 2013 and again was a
kid who wanted to come to Tech and we found that our goals were the
same.”
A few months later, he was able to put the finishing touches to
the class of 2014.
“Luckily at my last school [Central Michigan University], I
did a bulk of the recruiting, so even though I was already done
with the 2014 class when I left there, I knew a lot of kids who
were still available. Our 2014 class is very athletic and we are
really excited about them. We can’t wait to get everyone
signed so we can announce them to the world. Within three months we
had eight kids committed to TTU, which is not easy by any means. It
took hours on the phone and in the office but it’s going to
be well worth it.”
Though the transition started off well, Zelenock, as expected, had
“pre-game jitters”.
“I was equally excited and terrified [about taking the job]
at the same time. I went from being an associate head coach at the
school I graduated from, a school where I knew everyone and how to
do everything, to becoming a head coach in a different part of the
country where I didn’t know anyone, or how to do anything at
that school.”
Changing schools, conferences, and states was expected to be a
challenge but it was made much easier with a strong support within
the Ohio Valley Conference community as well as within the
Tennessee Tech community itself.
“Changing schools was pretty easy. The staff and
administration at TTU has been great to work with. They have taken
care of so many of the little things for me that it is probably
what gave me the time and ability to bring in such great recruits.
Everyone in the conference has been in touch with me to welcome me
and offer help, which is amazing. It seems as though there is a
real unity within the OVC coaches. Transitioning from an assistant
coach to a head coach hasn’t been too difficult. I was doing
a majority of the training and recruiting at my last school as well
as some other tasks. The biggest thing I’ve had to adjust to
was managing the budget. Luckily I’m a bit of an excel nerd
so I have a good handle on that.”
Another experience that came with some adjustment was meeting the
team. Having been given the green light to what was needed with the
program, Zelenock understood the tension that was posed when
meeting the team.
“When I first met the team, it was a lot different than what
I was used to. Most of my former players have always been very
comfortable around me, but the team here was very nervous and
cautious early on. There was a lot of uncertainty about if any
players would be leaving, what we were doing from a staff
standpoint, and how things would work in the gym. So it’s
understandable that they were a little nervous.”
Though in the end, several of the names on the backs of the
jerseys will be familiar to Tech fans, the team had to endure a lot
of changes. Jerseys changed. Practice gear changed. Practice
mentality changed. Training changed. Zelenock also brought in two
brand new assistant coaches. Almost everything within the program
changed, the only thing that didn’t change was the name on
the front of the jersey and the school the players represent,
Tennessee Tech.
And how did the players respond?
“With almost everything, they were all in for
changes,” Zelenock said of the team’s response to the
changes. “This group is so hungry for success they were
willing to try everything I threw at them. I’m very
aggressive in a lot of the ways we operate so there were some
growing pains trying to adapt to it and we are still going through
some of that now.”
Senior outside hitter Natalie Penrod agreed with Zelenock’s
view of the team’s response to the changes.
"Overall, I think the team has bought into the new coaching styles
and changes,” said Penrod. “It was either continue with
what we were doing and lose games or buy into Coach Dave's system,
work our tails off, and see what happens. Some of our old habits
are sticking more than others, but Coach Dave is going a great job
of being patient and slowing things down so everyone is on the same
page. As a group, we want to win. We are all very competitive and
passionate about our love for the sport. We want to show the fans
and supporters of TTU what we are capable of."
Throughout the transition, Zelenock couldn’t be more
thankful for those who have helped him stay afloat so far.
“At TTU, the administration of [Director of Athletics] Mark
[Wilson], [Assistant A.D.] Tammie [McMillan], and [Associate A.D.]
Frank [Harrell] has been great. I am the type of person to ask
1,000 questions, and they are very patient and are always willing
to help. As I mentioned, the staff here has been great too,
Patrena, Kim Nash, Kim Meredith, Sandy, Mandy, Leveda, Tyler,
Dexter, Rob, Kevin…I could go on all day and I’m sure
I’d still miss someone who has helped me tremendously. If I
missed you, please know how grateful I am. Aside from TTU, I have
some coaching friends whom were great to bounce ideas off. Then, of
course, my wife, she is the most supportive person I know. Going
home to her and Jacoby even if it was for a short time, before I
went right back in was a lifesaver. “
As the 2013 volleyball season gets underway, the Golden Eagles are
excited to put their changes to the test.
“I’m looking forward to just getting out there and
seeing what the team can do,” Zelenock said. “They have
made huge strides and we feel like we can compete with everyone on
our schedule. The staff is just itching to get to the first
tournament and see how they react to live play.”
Penrod cannot wait, either.
“It's been a refreshing experience,” said Penrod.
“The atmosphere, new coaching staff, and the team charisma
have turned this page in such a positive direction. Every time we
step on the court, we’re trying to get better. Every time we
have a chance in practice or in a game, it’s to get better.
We, as a team, want to prove to the OVC and Tennessee Tech
University that we are better than what we have been in the
past."
Every approach to the edge of the platform in a diving competition
is an opportunity to impress the judges and earn a high score.
Zelenock has taken off and executed a forward dive, entering this
opportunity with confidence and focus, and will continue to dive
right into each opportunity he’s presented.
May 15, 2014
Golden Eagle summer camps just around the corner
May 7, 2014
Golden Eagle volleyball inked 6-3 middle blocker
February 25, 2014
Golden Eagles reflect on clinic and interacting with participants
February 18, 2014
Tech's Smith selected to attend U.S. Women's volleyball open tryout
January 8, 2014
Golden Eagle volleyball team to hold clinic in February
December 26, 2013
Golden Eagle volleyball hands out post-season team awards
November 21, 2013
Zelenock, Golden Eagle volleyball team adds four for 2014
November 18, 2013
Former Tech coach John Blair to be voice of OVC Tournament webcasts
November 12, 2013
Tech leads every set, but JSU scores final points each time for 3-0 win
November 11, 2013
Unique doubleheader features volleyball, basketball Tuesday night
November 9, 2013
Tech volleyball team defeated in final road game of the year at EIU
November 8, 2013
Golden Eagle volleyball team drops match-up at SIUE
November 7, 2013
Tech hits the road to take on SIUE, EIU in conference matches
November 2, 2013
Despite hot start, Golden Eagles drop OVC match to Eastern Kentucky
October 25, 2013
Golden Eagles tripped up in four sets at OVC rival Belmont
October 25, 2013
Golden Eagles and Bruins meet up for second time this season
October 22, 2013
Golden Eagle volleyball team downed by TSU during midweek match
October 18, 2013
Golden Eagle volleyball team drops road match at Eastern Kentucky
October 12, 2013
Tech volleyball team unable to handle hot-hitting Bruins
October 11, 2013
Tech volleyball team suffers setback at the hands of Tennessee State
October 10, 2013
Golden Eagle volleyball team to host Tennessee State and Belmont
October 4, 2013
Tech volleyball team wins five-set thriller at UT Martin
October 3, 2013
Tech volleyball team looks for OVC win versus UT Martin
September 30, 2013
Golden Eagle volleyball team back in action at Jacksonville State
September 28, 2013
Another close one for Golden Eagles, but Austin Peay edges Tech 3-1
September 27, 2013
Exciting, five-set match slips away; Golden Eagles fall to Murray State, 3-2
September 25, 2013
Golden Eagle volleyball team opens up conference play at home
September 24, 2013
Diving Right In: First-year volleyball coach making immediate waves
September 14, 2013
Tech splits final day at Kennesaw Invitational
September 13, 2013
Close matches mark first day of Kennesaw Invitational
September 12, 2013
Golden Eagle volleyball team wraps up tourney play at Kennesaw
September 6, 2013
Golden Eagles downed by Zips, lose tight to Panthers
September 4, 2013
Golden Eagle volleyball team heads north for the Akron Invitational
September 4, 2013
Tech volleyball invites alumni to attend Legends Weekend
August 31, 2013
Tech volleyball team bests Savannah State, tops Fordham in S.C.
August 30, 2013
Golden Eagles lose opener, look to bounce back Saturday
August 11, 2013
Golden Eagle Volleyball wins AVCA Team Academic Award