Boys Volleyball | High Flyers Updates | Clayton Zimmerman Profile
High Flyers VBC Greg and Nancy MacLean: 402-540-2041 highflyersvbc@gmail.com https://highflyersvb.weebly.com/ High Flyers 181-M #3 Vlad Rybak | Outside/Libero | Sophomore | Malcolm, NE #7 Clayton Zimmerman | Setter | Senior | Lincoln, NE #8 Joe Sutko | Middle/Outside |…
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Greg and Nancy MacLean: 402-540-2041
highflyersvbc@gmail.com
https://highflyersvb.weebly.com/
High Flyers 181-M
#3 Vlad Rybak | Outside/Libero | Sophomore | Malcolm, NE
#7 Clayton Zimmerman | Setter | Senior | Lincoln, NE
#8 Joe Sutko | Middle/Outside | Sophomore | Lincoln, NE
#9 Ty Kiviniemi | Opposite | Junior | Bellevue, NE
#10 Jaden Kittler | Middle | Senior | North Sioux City, SD
#11 Brody Gable | Middle/Libero | Junior | Roca, NE
#26 Mitch Seggerman | Outside | Senior | Sioux City, IA
Head Coach: Greg MacLean
Assistant Coach: Jack MacLean
RECENT HIGH FLYERS UPDATES
Both High Flyers teams played in the Dennis Lafata qualifier in St. Louis February 8-9. Neither team obtained a bid, but both finished higher than their initial seed. They have a 2-week break and play in Grimes, IA the end of February.
CLAYTON ZIMMERMAN, HIGH FLYERS VBC
As older sister Jaela did in girls volleyball, Clayton has put the Zimmerman name on the map in boys volleyball. The 6’1 senior setter on the 18s High Flyers team is headed to Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina next fall to play volleyball. Clayton plans to study sports management and become a volleyball coach. Clayton also plays basketball and runs track at Malcolm High School.
Why did you start playing volleyball?
I was forced by my sister (Jaela) to play when we were little, so I started then. I was probably around 9 or 10 when that started.
Many people have influenced me playing. Obviously, my family has played a large part. Also, all of the coaches I have had over the years have helped immensely, but especially the MacLeans (Greg, Nancy, and Jack), Dan Mader, Maggie Griffin, and Makayla Westphal. Also, Coach Booth at Creighton has let me come to her summer camps for the past few years. She’s been super supportive, and those camps are actually the reason I changed from a right side to a setter (thank goodness for that). Those are just some of the many people that I can think of that have helped me along the way.
Favorite drill in practice
Any sort of drill where people are just ripping hits at me, or when I get to set out of system balls from the corners, or when (almost never) I get to play middle back.
Least favorite drill in practice
Chase drill because my depth perception is trash.
Comment on team and teammates
I think that over the last 4 years at High Flyers I have played with over 10-15 different guys. This year, I feel like the team is connected pretty well, and I have trust in all my hitters, so that makes my job as setter quite a bit easier. I will say that my favorite game ever was last year during the BWVCs. We had a challenge match to get into gold against a solid Sports Performance team that had already beaten us. We were the last court going (it was 10 at night), but all of the SP players were there to support, and Mitchell went off and probably had like 10-15 kills in that one set game. It was crazy and so much fun to beat them.
What do you see as the biggest difference in boys and girls volleyball?
Boys are 70-90% out of system play, while girls are mostly in system. Also, serving in boys is a lot more aggressive with more aces and errors. But the biggest difference I feel is the speed of the game, as boys have more bang-bang plays.
Do you help with your high school girls’ team?
Yes, I was the Student Manager (and Nebraska PrepDig proclaimed All-State water boy my sophomore year) all four years of high school.
Team outlook for 2020 Season
We are learning a LOT, and have a lot of inexperience, but everyone is willing to work to get better, and I think the sky’s our limit.
Any ideas on growing the sport of volleyball for boys in Nebraska?
We need more colleges to get programs here. Hastings finally did, and I think more need to follow their footsteps. Also, if Lincoln or Omaha could ask to host a collegiate match or a club tournament to get it here and have people come watch, that could help. Finally, parents of girl volleyball players should encourage their sons to try it before they diss it. It is not a girls-only sport and is a blast.
Do you plan to play volleyball in college?
Yes
Have you been recruited? Committed?
I was recruited and have signed to play at Belmont Abbey College next year!
Most impressive hidden talents?
- I’m pretty impressed with myself because I’ve accidentally done the splits three times in games this club year already and I didn’t know I was that flexible.
- I enjoy ice baths thoroughly.
- I know all the words and the dance to “Raputin” by Bobby M.
The biggest flaw you have?
- I have tried 3 times and have never successfully made Jell-O.
- I have never actually eaten a salad.
- I have had to call at least some of siblings to remember their ages every time I have been asked on all forms, including college applications, player profiles for BAC, and this interview.
Tell us about your support cast (your family)
Tray (Dad) played Basketball at UNK or Kearney State at the time, Bridget (Mom) was a big-time baton twirler in high school, Maddie (28) was injured practically all of her high school career so no college ball but she’s the best supporter out there, Jarren (25) played Basketball at Doane and his wife Hallie (23) was a cheerleader at Doane. Jaela (20) plays Volleyball at Creighton.