Lisbon volleyball enjoys a perfect day
By Jim Ecker
The Lisbon volleyball team won six straight matches Saturday and won its own tournament for the first time in school history on a very long day.
The Lions reported to the gym at 7:30 Saturday morning, began playing at 9 and finished their competition about 3, but their day was not done. It was homecoming weekend at Lisbon, so the young ladies traded their volleyball attire for dresses, went to dinner and the homecoming dance.
There were some tired people by the time it was all over. Tired, but happy and proud.
“It was fun for them for a lot of different reasons,” said Coach Lance Kamaus. “These things don’t happen all the time. I was really, really happy for the kids.”
Lisbon won all six of its matches in straight sets by 2-0 counts, so they went 12-0 for the tournament. There were 17 players on the roster Saturday and all 17 got to play significant minutes and make a contribution, which is rare because there are only six girls on the court at one time.
“The kids, to their credit, they stayed focus,” he said. “The No.1 task at hand was to go 6-and-0.”
Kamaus has been the head volleyball coach for 18 years at Lisbon with a record of 442-179. Counting his time at Calamus-Wheatland, he owns a 478-218-5 mark in 26 years. Yes, there were ties in prep volleyball in days gone by.
Despite all that success, the Lions have not made the state tournament during those years, falling short five times in regional finals.
Kamaus, who turns 50 this Friday, would like to get over the hump.
“From that aspect, it’s been hard,” he said. “If we never make it, we never make it. It would be fun to make it. I would love to get over (the hump), but it doesn’t define out program.”
Lisbon has a 14-4 record heading into Tuesday night’s River Valley Conference match at West Branch, but that number comes with a small asterisk. The Lions are one of the smallest Class 2A schools in the state by enrollment, and all four of the losses have been to strong 3A teams in Wilton, Tipton, North Fayette and Durant.
Lisbon changed leagues this year, trading the Tri-Rivers Conference for the River Valley Conference, which features bigger schools and stiffer competition. That’s exactly what the school wanted and what they’re getting in the South Division.
The Lions won 50 straight matches in divisional contests before leaving the Tri-Rivers, but they’ve gotten off to an 0-3 start in league matches in the River Valley with setbacks against Wilton, Tipton and Durant (North Fayette is not in the league).
Kamaus said his players have embraced the challenge. They know they need to keep improving, “Or it’s going to be some short nights out there.”
Lisbon features a balanced attack with five players collecting anywhere from 33 to 93 kills in 18 matches. Shea Benhart leads the way with 93 kills, followed by Quinn Roos (72), Ella Czarnecki (51), Kayla Bergmann (50) and Brynn Kahl (33). Freshman Kinsley Jo Kamaus, the coach’s daughter, has amassed 255 assists.
There’s a balance of youth and experience on the club, with good senior leadership complemented by talented young players.
Kamaus will be eligible for full IPERS retirement benefits in five years if he decides to quit teaching, but is not anxious to call it quits. “I’ve had a lot of fun doing it and I plan to do it a couple of more,” he said.