The Eagan volleyball team doesn’t have any seniors, which could have led to a lack of leadership.
It’s not an issue, though, because the Wildcats have Brie Orr.
Since joining the varsity squad as a freshman, Orr has became one of Eagan’s best players. As a sophomore she earned all-conference and a spot on the all-tournament team at state.
Now a junior captain on a team with three sophomores, a freshman and a seventh-grader, Orr has made the transition for the young team much easier.
“She provides a great sense of stability,” Eagan coach Kathy Gillen said. “You can count on a great set out of her no matter if it is or isn’t a great pass (from her teammates). She sees the floor better than most players.”
Orr’s seven kills and a multitude of strong sets led the Wildcats to a 25-19, 25-9, 25-15 victory over Apple Valley at Eagan High School on Tuesday. Eagan, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A in the latest poll by the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association, moves to 15-2 while the Eagles fall to 12-7.
In Gillen’s 25 years of coaching the Wildcats, she has never had a senior-less team. She said Orr has helped make it a positive experience.
“(Her play) is not real flashy, it’s not real glamorous, but it is a job that gets done,” Gillen said. “The young players look around and go, ‘Oh that’s the way we do it around here.' ”
And it is a way that has brought continued success to the Eagan volleyball program. The Wildcats have a strong volleyball tradition, winning five state championships, with the most recent coming in 2013. Eagan also finished in second place in Class 3A in 2014.
Orr played an important role in the postseason run last season, so she didn’t need to improve on much this season, Gillen said. Orr, who has committed to the University of Iowa, has made it her mission to help others improve.
“I like to give other people confidence if they’re lacking it at the time,” Orr said.
Orr also gives others a smile when they need it most.
“She is just goofy,” Gillen said. “She is just that great kid who has a good balance of fun and work. Her personality is just a really fun personality to be around.”
Although Orr has made a significant impact on the volleyball court in her time at Eagan, her fun personality has impacted her coach as well.
Gillen, a teacher at Eagan High School, receives frequent visits from Orr in her classroom. When Orr visits, she typically asks for a hug from her coach. Gillen usually obliges, something she said her players wouldn’t have believed her to do 10 years ago.
“(Orr) is a kid who has changed me as a coach,” Gillen said.
Orr has also changed the locker room environment. Before every match, she plays music and dances around as she tries to get her teammates to dance with her.
“I’m pretty good at getting everyone pumped up for the game,” Orr said.
But when it comes time for the game, Orr doesn’t show her excitement, keeping a quiet persona on the court. Instead of being a vocal leader who spews emotions, Orr provides a constant calm presence for her teammates, something she will need to continue if the young Wildcats team wants to make another deep postseason run.
“The young kids don’t get too uptight because she’s not uptight,” Gillen said. “She is steady no matter if we are behind or ahead.”
