Communication Key for Lady Raiders Season

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By Marlana Smith

  The North Shelby Lady Raiders welcome Amber Klusmeyer on her first season as head coach.

  This will be her nineth year teaching and coaching. She began her career at Macon, teaching social studies. She was head coach for two years and assistant coach for two years while there.

  Coach Klusmeyer spent a year at Mexico, assisting Coach Keith Louder who won state with his team the year before.

  She has been at Madison for the last three years teaching middle school and high school English. Klusmeyer didn’t do any coaching there, due to being pregnant.

  Klusmeyer played high school softball and traveling ball. She went to Missouri S&T in Rolla and played four years of college. She was primarily pitcher but occasionally played infield.

  “I love the game. I love being around it and love working with girls who have the same passion for it,” said NS Head Coach Amber Klusmeyer. “This is a great group of girls, they are passionate about softball and I think that will be evident if people come to watch us play.”

  Andi Belt, Marissa McEwen and Riley Stoneburner are the seniors on the team this year.

  “They have a lot of great leadership qualities. They are all going to take a big presence on the field, but also in leading by example. They have been great about that. They are all very vocal,” said Coach Klusmeyer.

  Klusmeyer said, sometimes, coaches walk into a situation where seniors can be pushy or cannot talk at all, but it is not the case at all. It’s a good situation for the team.

  The Lady Raiders are a lot bigger in the young group, so having the seniors experience and leadership skills has been beneficial.

  Klusmeyer looks to junior, Addy Uhlmeyer, to lead North Shelby on the mound.

  “She has been a very vocal leader as well. She is definitely a kid that will take charge in the circle. I am just adding another one to the list of great leadership skills and a great example to set. I am really excited about what she brings to the table,” said Coach Klusmeyer.

  As a team, North Shelby would like to win the North Shelby Tournament. It’s a big goal for the seniors as they have won every year, so they want to close it out. Winning districts is also a team goal.

  The other goals are more geared toward the atmosphere and daily goals.

  “We want improve every day and become more confident of the abilities that we have,” Coach Klusmeyer continues, “It’s a talented group of girls. They need more confidence knowing where they can go and do things, which comes with experience.”

  Communication is big for Coach Klusmeyer. She finds it very important, especially on defense.

  “Knowing ahead of time that they are mentally ready to get the ball, and where it is going and talking out loud with one another and making sure everyone is on the same page,” said Klusmeyer.

  Coach Klusmeyer thinks the biggest thing those watching will notice is the physical talent the team brings. Above all, their love, passion and drive for the game, is what people will pick up on.

  The Lady Raiders season opener is scheduled for Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Knox County.