Absence makes the heart grow fonder, something Luxemburg-Casco volleyball coach Jeff Frey knows all too well before his Spartans open state tournament play on Friday at the Resch Center.
After finishing as the state runner-up in 2017, the Spartans won three straight titles between 2019 and 2021. Before the Spartans could set the Resch Center as their forwarding address for November volleyball, they were beaten by eventual state champion Xavier in each of the past two years. Frey says the break has allowed him to reflect on how special it is to play in such an environment and balancing business with pleasure.
Frey says his team is a close-knit group, crediting a weekend in Iowa for a tournament and a book study as ways they have built chemistry and resiliency together. As strong as his relationships are with the entire team, none is as strong as one between a father and daughter. After supporting her dad as a fan, Aubrey Frey became a major contributor to this year's squad. Along with his spouse turning into not just a coach's wife but a player's mom, Frey admits that this tournament run will be a little more special than the others.
The Spartans open their state tournament quest on Friday at 10:30 a.m. against St. Thomas More. Tyler Thrune and Paul Schmitt will have the call in 104.1 WRLU and NEWRadioSportsNetwork.com beginning at 10:15 a.m. with the pregame show followed by the first serve.
Click here for full interview with head coach Jeff Frey
