Kevin Bordewick's Washburn Rural squad is going for another state volleyball title

Washburn Rural volleyball coach Kevin Bordewick on Oct. 15 became one of three coaches in state history with over 1,000 career wins, joining former coaches Gwen Pike, of Bishop Miege, and Julie Slater, of Lansing.

Bordewick, in year 28 as head volleyball coach at Washburn Rural and year 31 overall as a head coach, entered the year with a career record of 984-260. He now sits at 1,024-261, with the team holding a 40-1 record going into its latest state tournament.

In his time at Washburn Rural, the volleyball team has never had a losing season and been to the state tournament 24 out of 28 years with top four finishes in 20 of those years, including seven state titles.

We talked to some current and former players about Bordewick brings to the program.

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First impressions of Kevin Bordewick?

Kelsey Chipman, part of the 2004 state title team: "Wow, he's really intense," and that's something that I loved about him. I grew up as a coach's daughter and as somebody who is intensely competitive, I'm immediately drawn to and respect tremendously because I know they want to win as bad as I want to win.

Kelsey Rinehart, part of the class that won four straight state titles from 2006-2009: I had played for him since I was 7 years old. He is an intense guy. He has standards. You either meet them or he's gonna let you know about yourself.

Taylor Russell, current senior: At first, I was a little intimidated by him. But as I got to know him, he's really fun. He's a nice coach and he really knows what he's talking about.

When did you realize Bordewick was a special high school coach?

Chipman: As a young kid, I think you're a little bit unaware of the kind of effort and sacrifice that a coach like that is putting forth to you, but I knew he was a special coach back then. Even more so now as an adult, I recognize that he's just on another level of greatness and another level of loyalty and sacrifice and just genuinely caring about his program and the players in it.

Rinehart: He stresses how important team chemistry is and how it's not always going to be the team that is the most talented that's going to come out on top. It's the team that plays together and plays for each other. It's the way he goes about cultivating the culture of his teams.

Alexa (Bordewick) Dreilling: I think probably after we had that success in high school when we won four in a row and he got a lot of accolades. The expectation, the culture has always just been there and he's grown it, so you don't go in naive. You know exactly what it takes to win, and if you want to be a part of it, then you better start working your butt off.

Brooklyn DeLeye, current senior: If you look at other coaches, he's not kind of like them like always, up and telling them what's going on in the game. He's kind of like that quiet person. But then he'll kind of let you do your thing on the court and make you use your own knowledge on the game. When something goes wrong, he'll always be there to help.

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As players, you spend time with him more than the average fan, is there another side to see beyond the stoic, professional gameday face on the sidelines?

Chipman: I think a lot of people may not realize how funny he is and how uplifting he is because he is very intense in a lot of ways. But when you really get to know him, I don't ever remember him having a bad day or like having a negative attitude. He seemed just to be such an uplifting and positive influence on me as a young girl.

Rinehart: Yes, he's an intense guy and he's very much a "there's a time and a place to mess around and to crack a joke." He has a fantastic sense of humor. Something funny will happen, and he will absolutely be the first one laughing at you or with you or at himself.

Dreilling: This is probably what I'm most proud of him is like he cares so much about his players. I've seen it all growing up, like he's always bragging about his players, always keeping up to date. Like 10-15 years later, he's telling me these stories about his players and what they're up to now. He is a little bit of a hard ass and he demands excellence across the board, but he cares about his players so much. And that's what probably builds success too because he trusts his players, his players trust him and they have a relationship.

One of the things I love most about him is he has a big heart. He's going to care.

DeLeye: Any coach is gonna yell, you don't normally see that when you're like playing or anything like the fans, but all the stuff he does in practice is constructive criticism. He's gonna be there to make sure you get better as a person.

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Memory of Bordewick that stands out?

Rinehart: Oh, I don't know if there's one. I mean, I've known him and played for him from age 7 to 18. Winning state championships you can't really get better than that. Celebrating with him and and him coming into the huddle afterwards and, every time without fail, getting emotional because he is an emotional guy, whether he likes to admit it or not. Him just being so proud of us after you know the intensity of all season long and demanding what he did from for us and then to see him be that excited and overcome with emotions was always pretty cool.

Chipman: That '04 team was so special. Not only because it was our first state championship at Rural, but I think it was really the start of everybody realizing what Coach Bordewick was capable as a coach because there's something very intensely competitive about him. He's able to really push you to be the best version of yourself and bring the best out of the team but do it in a way that is almost joyful and you have that silly banter with him and you just gained so much respect for him as a person and he really invest himself into you as a player but also, just as a person.

Dreiling: The whole experience of winning those state titles would be my highlight. I wasn't the best volleyball player — I went on to play college basketball. But I tell everyone I know, volleyball is my favorite sport. It really has nothing to do with the sport. It really has to do with my relationship with my dad. Fostering that for four years was just like the best.

Russell: It was just really cool to see (win 1,000) in person and actually say like, "I was there for his 1,000th win." We're all really proud of him and all he's accomplished. It's just really cool to be a part of it."

Tips or story ideas? Email Seth Kinker at skinker@gannett.com or DM him on Twitter @SethKinker.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Washburn Rural volleyball coach Kevin Bordewick hits rare air in wins