August 14th, 2025 Seward Folly Staff

Jodi Kurtz is no stranger to the sidelines. With more than 14 years of experience coaching Seward High School Volleyball — 11 of them as the Varsity head coach — Kurtz returns this season to lead the Seahawks once again. She’ll be joined by assistant coaches Paige Watson and Maggie Fleming as they guide a roster of 27 players, each hoping to earn another shot at the Division 2 State Championship.

“I’m excited. The team is pretty much the same as last year. They all get along well, have great communication skills, and really know the game. I’m hoping we go to State again and improve our standing.”

– Coach Kurtz

Team chemistry and experience are strengths for Seward, and the enthusiasm isn’t limited to the coaching staff. Co-captain Mikinley Williams, whose volleyball roots run deep — her father played for the Antigua national team and her mother coaches basketball — brings versatility as an outside pin hitter, though she’s played every position. Williams credits Coach Kurtz’s strategic mind for the team’s success.

“Volleyball is a very strategic game with different sets and timing,” Williams explains. “That’s Coach Kurtz’s strong point. She’s always thinking about volleyball, she’s determined, she knows strategy, and she’s a great coach.”

Fellow co-captain Lia Shank echoes the sentiment. As a middle blocker, Shank highlights the team’s ability to communicate and stay composed under pressure.

“We’re really good at working together and communicating, and we have a lot of fun on and off the court,” says Shank. “When we’re in a tough spot, we can stay calm and talk each other out of it. I really like Coach Kurtz’s strategies, especially how she runs different sets at various speeds and analyzes their effect on the other team.”

Shank adds, “I have high hopes for this year.”

This season, the Seahawks’ schedule features seven home matches. The team will also travel to Utqiagvik and Bethel, with Utqiagvik covering ten airfare tickets and Bethel covering eight. To help pay for the remaining travel costs, the team has organized fundraisers, including running the July concessions for SPR softball games and hosting several car washes. Another car wash is scheduled for this weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Seward Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot.

Team Roster

Varsity: Ava Jagielski, Olivia Jones, Lia Shank, Makena DesErmia, Regan Siebert, Abigail Schilling, Amiyah Tatum, Mikinley Williams, Kirra DesErmia, Claire Anger, Santana Sanchez

C/JV: Claire Anger, Isabel Jones, Ryah Thrall, Jenny Fernandez, Josie Andrews, Kerensa Hendersen, Lily Bidnyy, Eva Johnson, Kaylynn Reed, Kaia Gunter, Ariyanah Jones, Edna Paperman, Elise Davis, Elsie Conant, Hunter Jones, Cyan Gardner

2025 Seward Seahawk Volleyball Schedule

• Fri, Aug. 22: Kenai at Kenai
• Sat, Aug. 23: Homer Jamboree at Homer — Time TBA
• Thu, Aug. 28: Nikiski at Seward — 3:00 p.m.
• Fri–Sat, Aug. 29–30: North/South at Houston — Time TBA
• Fri–Sat, Sept. 5–6: Nikiski Tournament at Nikiski — Time TBA
• Fri, Sept. 12: Grace at Grace — Time TBA
• Sat, Sept. 13: MCCA at MCCA — Time TBA
• Thu, Sept. 18: SoHi at SoHi (Endowment Game) — Time TBA
• Fri, Sept. 19: Homer at Homer — Time TBA
• Fri–Sat, Sept. 26–27: West Spike (Varsity) at West — Time TBA
• Fri, Oct. 3: Houston at Seward — 3:00 p.m.
• Sat, Oct. 4: Redington at Seward — 10:00 a.m.
• Mon, Oct. 6: Unalaska at Seward — 5:00 p.m.
• Fri–Sat, Oct. 10–11: Grace Tournament at Grace — Time TBA
• Tue, Oct. 14: Nikiski at Nikiski — Time TBA
• Sat, Oct. 18: Homer at Seward — 11:00 a.m.
• Tue, Oct. 21: Kenai at Seward — 3:00 p.m.
• Thu–Sat, Oct. 23–25: Bethel Tournament at Bethel — Time TBA
• Thu–Sat, Oct. 30–Nov 1: Barrow Tournament at Utquiagvik — Time TBA
• Mon, Nov. 3: Ninilchik JV at Seward — Time TBA
• Thu–Sat, Nov. 6–8: Regions at Houston — Time TBA
• Thu–Sat, Nov. 13–15: State at UAA CTR — Time TBA