Metea Valley-Neuqua Valley friendly on, off court

Updated: September 6, 2011 9:03PM

When Jessica Boddy and Callie Huebener were teammates on a Sports Performance volleyball club team three years ago, they discovered they were kindred spirits.

Boddy, now a middle hitter for Metea Valley, and Huebener, now an outside hitter for Neuqua Valley, were both fun-loving and “a little goofy” both in practice and away from the court, but both were serious about volleyball.

“We talk to each other in weird voices and we make each other laugh,” said Boddy. “And when we play against each other I usually give her a smile when I block her and she will do the same thing when she puts away a kill.”

Though they’ve rarely been teammates since, the friendship has endured and the two seniors are looking forward to meeting each other as high school opponents this year. The match will be played at Metea Valley on Sept. 20. And one thing is for sure, their families, who have become close friends and often sit together at club matches, will both be in attendance.

“We’ve lost to Neuqua the past two years, said Boddy “But, our team is much more experienced and we’re better than we have been. I think we can really challenge them and our other District 204 rival, Waubonsie Valley, this year. We want to build a rivalry with Neuqua and Waubonsie Valley.”

The girls will continue to compete against each other next year because they’ll both be playing Division 1 volleyball in the Big East. Boddy has committed at Pitt and Huebener will play at the next level at DePaul.

The 6-foot-3 Boddy started high school at Waubonsie Valley and played as a freshman on the sophomore team.

She transferred to the new school Metea Valley when she was a sophomore. Because she was the most skilled and most experienced player he had, coach James Milkert built the team around her.

The coach has been as impressed with Boddy’s contributions to the Mustangs as a leader and teammate, as he is with her physical skills.

“She’s a great person and a terrific student,” Milkert said. “Jessica brings a lot of energy and a high level of experience. She makes everyone in the gym better because of her positive spirit. She works hard and she’s a good role model.”

Milkert is quick to add some thoughts about her abilities as a volleyball player.

“Jessica makes big plays,” he said. “She’s been the heart and soul of our team. And she’s gotten better and more consistent this year.”

But, he’s also seen the lighter side of Boddy, when she teases him and her teammates or she gives him an enthusiastic greeting in the school hallway.

“Her kidding around is always appropriate,” said Milkert. “But she keeps me on my toes. Last year she and a couple of others spearheaded an effort to put a stuffed animal, the team “mascot,” on the side of the court during most matches. It’s kind of become their good-luck charm.”

Boddy’s Neuqua Valley pal, the 6-foot tall Huebener, was a standout with the Wildcats, last year playing right side hitter.

This year, Neuqua Valley coach Kelly Simon is utilizing her tremendous leaping ability and her long arms as the team’s primary outside hitter.

“She has grown a great deal as a volleyball player in the past year,” said Simon of Huebener. “She’s a huge asset to our team. She just goes up over the blockers and she’s strong in the back row and a great server. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Her potential is unlimited. She’ll continue to get better at DePaul.”

Simon also cites Huebener for her leadership qualities.

“She’s very thoughtful, she knows the game and she’s eager to make suggestions,” Simon said. “But there’s also the comedic side of Callie. She comes up with some hilarious statements and helps keep everything loose at practice by keeping us in stitches. She’s our comic relief, but she’s also very dedicated and serious about volleyball. She’s very coachable.”

Huebener has seen her old friend Boddy playing during the club season and knows how much she’s also improved in the past year.

“Jessica has great blocking hands,” Huebener said. “She’s great in transition and she can make a lot more shots than she did before. Metea has some other good players too, so our match against them will be a challenge.”

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