After coaching the Sedona Scorpions volleyball team for a season, co-coaches Mic and Danni Barker pass the reigns to their daughter Brenna. 

“I am doing the managerial work and assisting her, but Brenna will take over the varsity team specifically,” Danni Barker said. While Brenna coaches varsity, Mic and Danni will continue to coach junior varsity.

Brenna played volleyball at West Virginia State University after earning All-State in volleyball at Sedona Red Rock High School in 2011 and 2012.

While Brenna shares her parent’s passion for volleyball, she said she has a different approach in regard to her players.

“The difference is that most of the kids have known us for five years so they are more comfortable with Mic and I,” Danni said.

Brenna, on the other hand, prefers a more blunt approach to coaching.

“I am more cut and dry and do not take any attitude from my players,” she said.

The Barker family has known many of the players for years and it helps their players on the court.

“I think our relationship with the players helps because the kids are not nervous when they play,” Danni said. “It is totally different from a big school where you have no relationship with the coach.”
Middle blocker Mary Westervelt missed most of last season with a head injury, but she is ready to make a bigger impact this year.

“Mary has already taken the role of leader,” Brenna said. “She is loud and motivational, and the team feeds off her energy.”

“She is playing with a very painful headache but she is doing better than last season,” Danni said. “And she is willing to suck it up and play because she is tired of sitting out.”

One obstacle Brenna faces is replacing libero Liza Westervelt, who graduated last year after winning Defensive Player of the Year last season.

“I do not think we will find someone to replace Liza for a while,” Brenna said. “We have a solid back row, but we do not have one significant libero at the moment.”

The Scorpions do return many key players including outside hitter Jacki King, middle blocker Morgan Fritz and outside hitter Kelsey Woellmer.

Each of these players earned All- Regional honors last year with King earning first team while Fritz and Woellmer earned honorable mention.
Both Brenna and Danni Barker said setter Amari Sonn is this team’s unsung hero.

“Setters never get any recognition because the hitters get the headlines but Amari is the quarterback of the team,” Brenna said. “When [Sonn] is on, it will probably be the reason we win because she touches every ball and helps the offense flow.”

Despite it being only her first season as a coach, Brenna said she will hold the Scorpions to a high standard.

“I expect a lot from the team this season and I know perfection is not obtainable but we will strive for perfection,” she said.

Sedona’s season starts on Tuesday, Aug. 28, on the road against Winslow.