The energy in North Central’s volleyball gym is loud, intense, and full of laughter—just like head coach Chelsie Peresie as she leads her 11th season of the boys volleyball team. Peresie has built more than a winning program; she’s created a space where her players feel challenged, supported, and at home.
Coach Peresie is very experienced, working with both boys and girls. However there are a couple specific things she enjoys about working with her boys team.
“Coaching boys specifically is competitive and intense, but also very funny. They are a lot of what I am: loud and they have a desperate desire to win. I really like running a huddle and making a game plan. We are very collaborative and we are deeply committed to finding a way to win,” Peresie said.
In preparation for the upcoming season, Peresie plans to take many actions building up her team as well as highlighting prior assets she has on her team.
“We have a lot of returning seniors, and a lot of the boys are playing club at National and elite levels. We even have boys who play sand and indoor sand in the winter, and it’s a lot of verticals and angles along with communication because there’s only two people on the court. So a lot of the boys will grow with that. We also have open gyms once a week that focus a lot on freshmen as well,” Peresie said.
Both the team and Coach Peresie share much excitement going into the season, specifically with one last run for many of her seniors.
“This senior class is a favorite of mine. These boys were our first class of 5th and 6th graders to play so we are all very emotionally bonded, families and players, so I’m really really excited to watch them compete. I’ve loved watching them all grow and improve and I’m really excited to see that this season,” Peresie said.
She has a strong character, often finding ease in taking charge and leading groups. However one goal of this season for Peresie is to keep in control, while allowing new perspectives to grow her team even more.
“I want to collaborate with my staff more. It’s more of a personal growth, I can be very dominant and very loud,” Peresie said.
Peresie’s plan to succeed this year includes adding new members to create an even stronger foundation.
“I have hired an offense and defense coach this year, so having two full-time assistant coaches will be a big change but help us all overall,” Peresie said.
Not only does Peresie make strong gameplans, Peresie also builds strong bonds on the court, and deeply cares for her players.
“She’s definitely like a big team glue. She gets to know all of the players really well and like, know different things about them. She checks in on us about everything, and always tries her best to make sure we’re good on and off the court,” Johnny Henninger said.
Other players echoed Henninger’s thoughts, pointing out Peresie’s energy and her ability to push them to grow as athletes.
“She’s always up and cheering. She criticizes you very well and is very constructive. She has really helped me expand my knowledge of the game,” Edmond Arauco said.
Peresie shares her love of the game to her players, and greatly increases their love for it and their want to play.
“She has taught me the importance of holding myself and others accountable and she has taught me to always work hard. She has great energy and has increased my ability to work with others and have fun playing,” Arauco said.
Peresie shows her dedication to her team and the relationships she’s made by taking the time to show up for her players even outside of school season.
“Im actually going to Nationals this summer, it’ll be the last time I watch a lot of them play volleyball,” Peresie said.
As Peresie reflects on her team and plans for the upcoming season, she looks back on the memories made and the first time she met a lot of her team. She wants them to leave the season, always remembering that the North Central Volleyball courts will always be a home for them.
“It’s been interesting to watch them grow and learn. A lot of these boys walked into our gym, just baby-faced and awkward, like baby giraffes in a lot of ways. But to now watch them go out on the court and kill it is just amazing. We have a lot of kids who graduate and come back to us, and I just want them to take away that this gym will always be a safe space for them, where they can be themselves and experience talent,” Peresie said.
Coach Peresie has influenced many lives academically and athletically, and she is excited to continue this even more, and lead another season of great success and growth. Her character and collaboration are the perfect assets in a coach, and her ability to bring them out will definitely shine through the season.
