Leyden now familiar with coach’s expectations

FRANKLIN PARK — Knute Rockne once said, “A coach’s greatest asset is his sense of responsibility — the reliance placed on him by his players.”

When Leyden coach Danielle Kowalkowski was elevated to head coach of the Franklin Park school after five years as an assistant, she knew that the transition would take some time getting used to, but her experience would help her iron things out.

“Yeah it was a little bit of a transition, but this is now my second year as a head coach and seventh in the program total, so it probably was a little smoother in that regard,’’ said Kowalkowski. “Knowing the girls from before definitely helped though.’’

Last year’s 3-3 record and fourth place finish in the West Suburban Gold was the best showing for the Eagles since 2003-2004, when they also finished .500. But unlike last year’s squad, the 2012 team would rely mainly on young, unproven talent. Seven seniors graduated from the 2011 team and only four seniors returned, leaving the team with seven juniors, a sophomore and a freshman. Of those seven juniors, only two, Kelly Murphy (three years) and Carly Okray had seen playing time on varsity.

“This is my second year on varsity and last year with it being coach’s first year being a head coach, she did very well, but this year it’s been better because of the experience,’’ Smerz said. “She knows what our skills are and has seen us grow and picked up our strengths and weaknesses better than you can as an assistant coach.’’

While the transition may have been easier for some of the upperclassmen, it’s been a bit of a challenge for two team’s two underclassmen, sophomore Nikolina Jurisic and freshman Emily Steininger.

“One thing that I had a tough time getting used to, and kind of still am, is the speed of the game,’’ said Steininger. “It’s a lot faster here, with balls dropping, players being bigger and hitting harder. I’m confident in the way I play though and know I’m getting better every day out there.’’

Jurisic added: “As a younger player, I think we feel more pressure, because we have to prove that we belong on varsity more than the older girls.’’

At last weekend’s Maine East Invitational, the Eagles placed seventh after knocking off the host Demons 25-17, 25-15. Leyden also defeated Addison Trail.

According to both girls, this team is unlike any they have ever been on. Both feel that these girls are more of a family than just teammates.

“We’ll go get food, go to the movies and just hang out together,’’ said Steininger. “We’re friends, not just teammates.’’

The family mentality is not all Coach Kowalkowski is hoping to instill in the young squad.

“I want this team to be one that dives for balls, that hustles and uses their best abilities. We have the ability to do it. We just need to put it all together.’’

With Murphy, Smerz and Okray leading the way, the 2012 season for Leyden hasn’t started out how they hoped it would, but that was to be expected. Despite losing so much talent all signs point upward for the future.

“We have a young team with not much experience,’’ Kowalkowski said. “These girls, the more they play together, the more practice they get, are only going to get better, especially Emily and Nikolina. They’re so young it’s exciting to see how they’re going to progress.’’