Filling out her preseason form for various publications, Nemaha Central volleyball coach had an ‘Uh-oh’ moment.
 
Nothing bad, mind you.
 
But in listing her career record on the forms, Koch knew a spotlight was headed her way at some point this season. And having been someone who’s always been quick to deflect the successes she’s enjoyed in her career to others, it wasn’t a spotlight she necessarily wanted.
 
“I knew I had a big (milestone) coming up,” Koch said. “It just made me reflect on all the blessings I’ve had in my life. My assistant coaches, my administration, my athletes, my family members, the community – that’s what it’s a reflection of to me. I’m not sure I’m all that great. But I know all those little pieces together make something very special. That’s how I’ve taken this milestone.”
 
Koch’s numbers would suggest that she was a big part of hitting the milestone she hit Tuesday night when the Thunder swept Hiawatha. The victories moved Nemaha Central’s record to 9-1 this season and delivered Koch her 700^th career victory.
 
Roughly 20 coaches in state history have amassed that many career victories, putting Koch in pretty elite company.
 
Among those she has joined is former Nemaha Valley coach Kimbrook Tennal, whom Koch played for during her prep days at Nemaha, winning state titles together in 1994 and 1995. Koch finished her high school career with another state title under Betty Peterson, whom she wound up replacing as coach when Nemaha Central and Baileyville B&B consolidated in 2014.
 
She cited both of those coaches as having a major impact on the success she had during the 12 years she coached at Baileyville and the 10 years she’s had at Nemaha Central.
 
“I was lucky enough to win state my sophomore, junior and senior year and when I started at Baileyville I used all of those foundations that both of them taught me,” Koch said. “They were my building blocks.”
 
Koch laid her own foundation at Baileyville, compiling a 387-92 record in 12 years and winning four Class 1A state championships. The Falcons were on a three-year title reign in Division II in 2011, 2012 and 2013 when the decision was made that the school would close following the 2-13-14 season and consolidate with Nemaha Valley.
 
Koch was tabbed to be the volleyball coach for the consolidated program, but said she was completely at ease with returning to lead her alma mater and replacing one of her idols, Peterson.
 
“The two schools and communities I’ve coached at, they’re the exact same,” Koch said. “They believe in hard work, the believe in respecting adults and they know how to get things done. The mentality is exactly the same. I always talked about coaching at Baileyville I feel like a remarried widow. What we had there was so special but I also love what I have right now. I’m in a great situation and I appreciate everything I’ve been blessed with.”
 
Koch led Nemaha Central to the Class 3A state tournament her first season with the program in 2014, but said that state trip was “a humbling one.” Nemaha went 0-3 in a pool play that included eventual state champion Silver Lake and eventual runner-up Hillsboro.
 
“I said, ‘Well I guess that’s how 3A welcomes new coaches to this stage,’” Koch said. “I knew I needed to go back to the drawing board.”
 
Since, she’s led Nemaha to the state tournament six more times. The Thunder took fourth in 2017 before finishing runner-up to Olathe Heritage Christian last fall, a season that saw the Thunder go 46-2 overall.
 
The Thunder lost several key players off last year’s team to graduation. But one thing that’s been a constant for the program under Koch is strong numbers that allow the Thunder to quickly reload. Koch said the program has 51 players out this season and never has had below 43.
 
While that may lead to some tough decision that Koch said she constantly battles, it’s also been a key to Nemaha Central’s sustained success.
 
“We really do value every role and every single person and what they bring to our program,” Koch said. “I’m always nervous when girls correlate their self worth with playing time and when you have that many out, it makes you stay up late at night. If it was up to me, I’d give every girl playing time because they’re all deserving and all hard-working. It’s just not possible so I also have to sit with myself late at night and say, ‘They don’t give scholarships to the second-place person who turned in their application, they give it to the best.’ And that’s what I have to do. But it still bothers me because I love every girl I have out and every girl I’ve coached.”
 
In her 10^th season at Nemaha Central, Koch has now posted a 314-85 mark, pushing her career record to 701-177. She’s averaged nearly 33 wins per season in her career.
 
Nemaha Central sits atop the Big Seven League standings along with Perry-Lecompton, each 3-0 in league play. The Thunder’s lone loss came to Silver Lake in the finals of the season-opening Marysville Invitational.
 
OTHER VOLLEYBALL STANDOUTS
 

• Hiawatha captured the title at the Jefferson West Invitational last weekend, going 2-2 in pool play before catching fire. The Red Hawks avenged a 25-23, 25-20 pool-play loss to Jefferson West by topping the Tigers 22-25, 25-20, 25-20 for the title. The Red Hawks also beat Royal Valley twice at the tourney, including 21-25, 25-22, 25-23 in the semifinals.
• Osage City bounced back from its first loss of the season to Santa Fe Trail on Aug. 31 with a sweep of Council Grove on Tuesday to move to 4-0 in Flint Hills League play and 10-1 overall.
• Hanover, Frankfort and Valley Heights are the lone unbeatens in Twin Valley League play with Heights 5-0 in league play, Hanover 4-0 and Frankfort 3-0. Hanover and Frankfort are both 4-0 overall while Heights is 7-2.
• Reigning Class 1A Division II champion Lebo is the lone unbeaten team left in the Lyon County League, which hasn’t started league play yet. The Wolves are 3-0 in the early going.
• Little River is 5-0 to start the season after capturing the Class 1A Division I state championship last year. The Redskins have been led by Aubrey Olander (31 kills), Alaina Eck (30 kills) and Ashley Stephenson (26 kills).
• Pleasant Ridge picked up a big Northeast Kansas League victory on Tuesday, taking a three-set win over two-time defending champion Jefferson County North. The Rams won 25-17, 23-25, 25-19 to move to 9-0 overall this season and 4-0 in league play.
• Seaman picked up a nice 25-15, 25-19, 25-21 win over 4A power Baldwin to move to 4-0.