By RICHIE HALL
Senne IJzer arrived in Sheridan on Aug. 5 as an exchange student from the Netherlands, and she soon found herself a few friends.
IJzer plays volleyball back home, so it was only natural for her to play on the Blackhawks’ team. Not only is she enjoying playing for Sheridan, she also has made quite an impact, helping the ‘Hawks to win some big matches and setting a new record in the process.
“I love playing in this team,” said IJzer. She said the Sheridan team is “very different from back home,” but she is enjoying the experience.
IJzer is from Alkmaar, a city of nearly 110,000 people located about a half-hour’s drive north of Amsterdam. IJzer noted that the main difference between volleyball at home and in Indiana is that in the Netherlands, “they’re all club teams. Nothing is through school. You just have different levels and you get put in your level of how well you play.”
IJzer said that team she plays for back home is “very competitive,” but said there is “more attention to the sport” here in the United States. She said her team would have two practices every week, while here, there are practices and matches every day.
Here in Sheridan, IJzer has made a name for herself. She set a new record for most kills in a single season, hitting 233 of them.
“She’s definitely brought energy, enthusiasm. She’s been a great hitter for us. It’s been really fun getting to know her and see her play,” said Sheridan coach Melissa Jump.
IJzer also has good numbers in some of the other categories, such as digs (241) and aces (27).
“She’s fit in really well. They enjoy playing with her and getting to see what she does when we’re engaged in a practice,” said Jump.
IJzer has been staying with the Casler family while in Sheridan. “They have been a lot of fun,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed staying with them. We get along really well.”
In addition, IJzer has enjoyed Sheridan, and has gotten the chance to make a couple trips down to see Indianapolis as well.
“I think it’s nice,” said IJzer. “It’s very different from my hometown. It’s a lot smaller, farm life and stuff. I’m not used to that, but it’s nice.”
Sheridan will travel to Park Tudor on Saturday morning to play in Sectional 43. The Blackhawks will play the winner of Cascade and University, who will face off in the sectional’s only first-round match on Thursday.