Dave Johnston has spent nearly two decades coaching youth volleyball for various ages and at all levels. He’s served in the roles of clinician, assistant coach and head coach. But he never started the season as a varsity head coach with a full roster on the first day of preseason practice. That is, until now.
Johnston has been named head coach for the girls volleyball team at Newark High. It’s a position the longtime Newark resident has held once before, but in that instance, he jumped in mid-season to fill an unexpected vacancy.
When that happened, he had one or maybe two practices to get to know his players and prepare them for the next game. As the head coach at A.I. du Pont in fall 2021, he had only a few girls show up for preseason practice and therefore wasn’t able to prepare the team “his way.” Now, as the head coach at Newark from the start of the preseason nearly two weeks ago, he has already had nearly 20 girls show up for every preseason practice.
“I could not be happier with the progress we have made by having a preseason,” Johnston said. “I am so proud of the players. We have established a super positive and supportive culture. The players are working so hard to be the best version of a volleyball player and teammate. Even though this is my third year coaching high school, this is my first full-length preseason, and it is so nice to be able to spend time developing each player and their passion. We start many practices with each player sharing with their teammates, ‘Today is going to be an awesome day because I am going to focus on getting better at …’”
Johnston is well known for his ability to run practices that keep players constantly moving while on task and engaged, all while learning strategies and improving their individual skillsets that will ultimately enhance the team’s performance in matches.
“I have developed a proven method for accelerating player growth that is based on fun, challenging, high-touch, fast-paced game simulated drills,” he explained. “Our goal is to have four times the number of touches than our competition does during the same practice time. Players don’t have time to dwell on mistakes with the fast-paced repetitions. Instead, they read and react. The secret sauce is when the team cheers for a teammate after I break for a few seconds to acknowledge an advancement or the smart play of that player. The player is pumped, and the cheering teammates know their time will come if they work hard.”
Johnston has coached teams at the Premiere and Delaware Juniors travel clubs and the CYM program. He has always felt that his coaching philosophy and style that worked for those teams would translate to success at the high school level, and the reason for that goes beyond his unique practices.
“One of our preseason culture themes is: it is not the job of the coaches to make you better, rather it is your job to make the team better,” Johnston emphasized. “There is a role for everyone, and how are you making the team better? As I coach, I always think in terms of five years from now, what do you want players, parents and coaches to remember or feel?”
People often assume those feelings are tied to wins and losses, and championships, but the reality is, that’s not always the case.
“This season will be a success if we deliver a great experience that is measured in friendships, personal satisfaction, confidence and being the best version of volleyball player, teammate and person when we walk off the court for the last time,” Johnston said. “I hope that everyone has a level of sadness that the season is over because it was so much fun.”
For now, the season is just beginning. Newark opens at home against Howard on Sept. 9 at 4:45 p.m.
Schedules for all high school sports teams can be found at www.websites4sports.com.
5k run will honor former Yellowjacket
The late Ben Campbell’s story has been told by many. From an early age, the Newark resident spent several years at the Milton Hershey School in Pennsylvania while his mother battled and eventually passed away from leukemia.
After his sophomore year, Campbell decided he wanted to return to his hometown high school to play quarterback for the Yellowjackets. After two excellent years under center, Campbell played at Wesley College and graduated at the top of his class from Widener University Delaware Law School.
Campbell was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in July 2023, just eight weeks before his wedding date. As Ben would have wanted, the Benjamin Campbell Memorial Fund was created to help others in need.
The first major event for the fund is the inaugural Benjamin Campbell 5k run on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 8 a.m. beginning at Newark High School. For more information or to register visit runsignup.com/Race/DE/Newark/BenCampbellMemorial5K.
Coach of the Year
Saint Mark’s head coach Mike DiGennaro has been named the 2024 Boy’s High School Track and Field head coach of the year for Delaware by the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
“The 2024 season was an incredibly memorable experience,” the 22-year veteran said. “Our boys really shined in the biggest of moments at counties and states. The award is really just symbolic of the work that the athletes put in this season. We were striving to cover every event at the state meet, and the team really stepped up. I share this award with our sensational coaching staff. I’m excited for the future of the program but also very grateful for our 16 graduating seniors.”
In my opinion only …
Caitlin Clark received a technical foul in Indiana’s win over Seattle for “disrespecting the sport of basketball,” according to what the referee told her after she punched the cushioned base of the basket in frustration after missing a three-pointer on the other end. I could understand if the official felt she was showing him up, but it was he who explained afterward that that was not the case. Now, there’s an official wanting attention. However, unrelated to that call, Clark still whines way too much for a professional player.
Wrapping it up
One positive thing the Christina School District board did this summer was approve replacing the press box at Christiana High School. Newark and Glasgow each received new press boxes before the pandemic. I’m not sure why Christiana was left out because, trust me, it needed to be replaced back then. I can’t wait to see this new one. The approved bid was for $194,000, which means it should have at minimum a kitchen, two bedrooms and a full bathroom.
Until next time … have a great sports week!
Have a sports tidbit to share? Email JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow on “X” @JonBuzby.
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