Fairfield’s Drish digging new path

FAIRFIELD — Sometimes life gets in the way and changes one’s perspective. Former Trojans volleyball standout Danae Drish has decided it’s time to move on from digging spikes to devising strategy for successful spikes.

Instead of a teaching future, she wants a coaching future and is unsure of the rest.

“I want to love what I do so it’s never work,” Drish said. “I am still figuring out life and enjoying it!”

After setting Trojan records for season serve reception, single-season (569) and career digs (1,615), Drish went to Division II University of Nebraska-Kearney. She red-shirted her first season as the Lopers went to the national championship match, losing in the championship match.

Drish made the dean’s list at UNK where an elementary education degree was the plan.

After realizing teaching requirements were different in Iowa than Nebraska, she transferred to Central College in Pella for her sophomore year.

“ (The transfer) is not because of any bad experiences at UNK,” Drish said, while also mentioning family and tuition.

Two years in two different colleges have sharpened Drish’s focus on what she wants from life. Drish has decided to take a step back and evaluate college attendance.

She is going to take summer classes at Indian Hills Community College, work at Brown’s Shoe Fit in Fairfield and assist with high school volleyball camps and summer activities.

“My decision was changed because I am in some advanced classes at Central for teaching, and I’m not in love with teaching,” Drish said. “I want to love my career and coaching is what I love so I am going to pursue that avenue.”

An added benefit to stepping away is the cost.

“I have found it is smarter to take classes at a less expensive school and pay for school as I complete it.” There are also current student loans she will have to pay on. “I’m not looking forward to paying loans back, and I don’t mind if it helps me reflect on my decision and feel confident in it.”

Drish is holding on to the possibility of returning to Central to maybe finish her education in years to come, but she will no longer play.

“That was a very hard decision but trying to return to playing was hard with my surgery, so I decided (to not play) for medical reasons,” Drish said.

Hospital stays are always a time for reflection, and Drish had nasal surgery for a deviated septum, “along with problems in my sinus cavity and for allergy reasons.” Multiple concussions in high school and college were a contributing factor as well.

“It was really eye-opening how much I love coaching,” she said of her time away recovering. “I love it as much as playing and want to help younger athletes grow and learn to love the game like I do.”

At both colleges, Drish was able to coach club volleyball and both years she has had an under age 12 team where she was the head coach.

“I really got a feel of what I had to do and the commitment it takes and how much you learn and teach,” Drish said. “Coaching my Fairfield Attack 12U team these past few months with a great group of girls and their parents sealed the deal for me.”

She will be finished at Central College when the current semester ends, then will be enroll at Indian Hills for an associate degree in education and for science and arts, a coaching certificate and exploring sports management and business management.

“I am interested in business because I was involved in (Future Business Leaders of America) in high school and enjoyed the content and events I was in,” Drish said.

Drish has had great coaches to model. She played for her mother, Diana Drish, in high school and UNK coach Rick Squires has 24 years in one of the winningest programs in NCAA Division II — 1,506 victories with a winning percentage of 80.2, conference winning percentage of 86.3, and 24 NCAA tournament trips (currently 21 straight).

From the Kearney season, Drish learned “discipline and how important that is” to everything in life, more than just volleyball.

“You control what you can control in the gym, in your classes, at work, and any other aspect of your life,” she said.

How Squires coached left an imprint on Drish. He had a purpose for everything. “Everything you do in the gym should have a purpose and a reason. Analyzing the game like that makes gym time more focused and more meaningful.”

Drish has thought about all of her life’s information and it pointed to one thing for her future.

“My goal for my career is to coach volleyball. I would love to follow in my parents and family footsteps and coach at the school, but I’m open to anywhere.”