Meet the Stags celebrates the past,
present and future
[August 27, 2026]
The Hartsburg-Emden Stags will open their 2026 volleyball
season Thursday on the road versus Deer Creek-Mackinaw with fans
eagerly anticipating another exciting campaign from Coach Jennifer
Hayes’ JV and Varsity teams.
The school held "Meet the Stags" on Saturday evening, a night filled
with nostalgia from the past, anticipation for the present and a
huge surprise coming in the future for Coach Hayes.
The evening began with Coach Hayes walking down memory lane to 2006
when the Stags won the IHSA Class A State Championship, the only
volleyball state championship in Hartsburg-Emden school history.
Hayes, however, has taken teams to state seven times in her 31 year
career as the high school head coach. She mentioned she has four
years left until retirement and hopefully at least one more state
appearance is in the cards.
On Saturday night, Hayes recounted that championship season in such
great detail that it was hard to believe it was twenty years ago.
The memories were so fresh in her mind and the stats just rolled off
her tongue without any notes.
Hayes said that 2006 team was just built different. As she went
through the season, vividly describing the work the girls put in
game after game and focusing on the highlights of that magical
postseason, her team stood close by, smiling and nodding their
heads.
When Hayes reached that state championship match with Breese
Central, her team was facing the defending state champions. And talk
about a nail biter.
Hayes said, “If you add up all of the scores from the three games,
we win 71-70.”
The state championship match was decided 21-25, 25-22 and 25-23.
“It was a phenomenal season,” said Hayes. “They were competitors and
they knew how to win. And this team had all the components: hitters
in all rotations, two middle blockers, a fantastic setter and
passers that were such great athletes. It was just the perfect
matchup at the right time for us.”
“They also had great players in the classes above them that paved
the wave for them,” added Hayes. “That gave them that experience
along the way and it makes a difference."
So the season that ended with the Stags hoisting the first place
trophy also saw the team finish with a 38-4 record that still stands
as the best record in school history today.
The next part of the evening included the introductions of the
current JV and Varsity Stags, who are ready, willing and able to
take the court following a 35-6 Varsity season last year. Three
seniors return to the starting lineup for Coach Hayes and they will
be joined by a couple juniors and a sophomore. Four freshmen will
also complete the Varsity squad.
The grand finale of the evening took Coach Hayes by surprise.
Athletic Director Ron Spencer grabbed the mic and invited board
members to join him on the court for a special announcement. He then
asked Coach Hayes to join him on the court as he began to read a
speech that talked about the standard of excellence her teams have
achieved with her as the head coach at both the junior high and high
school level for over 30 years. He noted that what she has done at a
school this size is truly an incredible feat. He said that in his
opinion, this makes her one of the greatest coaches in the state in
any sport, not just volleyball. He also commended her loyalty and
dedication to Hartsburg-Emden.
With all that and more being said, Spencer announced, “The
Hartsburg-Emden Board of Education wants to make sure your loyalty
and dedication and remarkable success are forever engraved in the
history of our great school district. It is therefore the wish of
the Board of Education, and my great honor as your friend, my
pleasure to announce tonight that the gymnasium floor at
Hartsburg-Emden High School will forever be known as “Jennifer Hayes
Court.”
Jennifer Hayes is surrounded by the school board
members. Photo by Teena Lowery
The crowd rose to their feet as board member Dan Doolin unveiled a
wooden replica of what the design will look like on the court.
After the applause died down, Hayes said, “I had no idea. I am
rarely speechless. I really don’t know what to say other than thank
you. I cannot say how much this means to me. I was hoping maybe one
day after I’d died maybe the girls would write my name with a
Sharpie or something.”
Hayes went on to talk about how she loves the gymnasium as much as
she loves her own home.
And of course, she admitted with a laugh, “I spend more time (here),
ask my husband, than I do my own home. I am a mother of three but I
am actually a mother to hundreds.”
Hayes went on to reflect on a few memories of the early years that
included coaching with Mike Swingle. She also emphasized her
relationship with her players and said, “My job is to make them
better women.”
Continuing on talking about her players, she said, “I do love them.
I care about them. And I care what they do in their future.”
As Hayes wrapped up her speech in front of the crowd, she called her
time spent with her student-athletes and the relationships formed
with those students who even moved on, as “magic in a bottle.”
Her heartfelt speech was spot on and could not have been more
perfect with her husband, Aaron, and children Alec, Austin and Anna
in the crowd along with her parents Ron and Sandy Crane and brother,
Doug Crane. More extended family and friends were also throughout
the crowd and each and every person was truly delighted for the
coach who has really dedicated her life to this community. Her
impact on former players was evident as well, as many of them
returned for this special occasion.
[to top of second column] |
The 2006 Stags meet the 2026 Stags. Photo by John Robinson
After the initial surprise wore off and Hayes had a moment to
reflect, she said, “Meet the Stags 2026 will definitely be one I’ll
never forget. To introduce my newest JV and Varsity Teams and honor
my state championship team of 2006, twenty years later in the same
town and same gym. It was just fantastic getting everyone back
together to honor a dream season.”
“Yes, it was a total surprise,” said Hayes of the announcement to
put her name on the court. “I had absolutely no idea. And for
everyone to come together and not let it slip was really amazing.
And it just so happened that every “oddity” had a purpose that made
sense so I never questioned it. In my mind, people were there for
the 20th Anniversary of our state championship team. All of my
family showed up. But again, they knew how special the 2006 team was
so that was not shocking. And funny enough, I have been nominated
for Coach of the Year, so I had to send a lot of coaching history
online. So when the presentation started, I thought it was that. I
was like, ‘Man that was fast. I only submitted my information
Thursday.’”
“I mean, I had no idea,” Hayes continued. “Funny story. Cleola
Fletcher is a great friend of mine and my assistant coach Shauna’s
mom. We go way back. Anyway they waited until the last minute to
tell her so she didn’t spill the beans. Well, I guess she tried to
send a message on messenger to notify a friend of the dedication
happening and she instead publicly posted it on Facebook. Then
didn’t know how to delete it. My AD had a cow. Shauna had to help
delete it before I saw it. Anna kept me busy and all was saved.”
“It was a magical night. A great honor. I am beyond humbled. I was
hoping that maybe someday, I would be honored in some way for all my
years and success. But I never dreamed it would be before I retired.
I’m so thankful that all my family could be there to share this with
me. There are so many memories on that court. Thirty-three years
worth so far. It’s such an honor to have my name on it. Coach Hayes
Court. Pretty nice ring to it, don’t you think? And to share it with
so many of my players, past and present, in front of a gym full of
Stags fans. It just doesn’t get any better than that.”
Athletic Director Ron Spencer noted that there is not a firm date
yet for when her name will actually be placed on the court but they
are hoping to make it happen before the volleyball season is over.
It will depend on how fast they can get Hayes’ signature converted
to a vector format, get the proof approved and then how fast the
company can turn it around, he said. At least the project is in the
works and will happen before she retires.
Four more years!
A closer look. Photo by Teena Lowery
Former Stags return to support Coach Hayes. Photo
by John Robinson
The current coaching staff poses with Coach Hayes.
Photo by John Robinson
Coach Hayes poses with her family. Photo courtesy
of John Robinson
Members of the 2006 team (maiden names)
Savannah Hackett
Sarah Schneider
Brandi Johnson
Chelsey Rankin
Katie Johnson
Nikki Eeten
Ronica Boundy
Sara Behrends
Abby Olson
Natasha Johnston
Jillyn Cross
Alissa Eeten
Mgr. Jesse Eeten
Asst. Coach Shauna Fletcher
Coach Jennifer Hayes
2026 Stags
Cambelle Hopkins
Emma Eeten
Allie Grelck
Ava Eeten
Lydia Doolin
Kylee Eads
Brinley Ballance
Addie Wetherell
Abria Fletcher
Courtney Cecil
Mgrs. Avia Leesman and Ava Bivens
[Teena Lowery] |
