Airedale Prep Focus

Enthusiastic Kovalck, Lady Airedales set to turn heads

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools 

ALMA — There's something about Chris Stapleton's 2016 hit 'Nobody to Blame' that resonates with Chloe Kovalck. It even includes a line about one of her favorite pastimes: fishing (but don't ask her to unhook the fish from the rod and reel).

Kovalck could have disappeared into one of Stapleton's soulful country tunes a few months back while on the mend from an ACL injury. 

But, like the song, there's nobody to blame. Life just happens. 

"Recovering from my ACL injury had to be the biggest mental challenge I have faced in my life," Kovalck said. "Before, I was already a heavy overthinker with what to do on the (volleyball) court and how to lead my team, but then after my injury, it got worse. So, I struggled mentally because I wasn't able to do the things I was used to before."

What she found wasn't a miracle knee brace. It was much more important. 

"With lots of love and support from my family and friends, I pushed myself, and I worked hard, but I made sure to give my body the rest that it needed," Kovalck said. "Thanks to all the love and support, I recovered even better than before."

Kovalck and the Lady Airedales begin a new chapter this fall with the hiring of first-year coach Josh Stark.

"My teammates and I are super excited for this season," gushes Kovalck. "We have lots of faith and hope in each other and also faith that we’re going to state (playoffs)." 

Kovalck is staying on as a setter, she said. "And I love it!"

That same passion applies to athletics.

"What athletics means to me is a huge group of people doing what they love most," she said. "It’s like a family; you build bonds, trust, and memories. We have learned to communicate not only with each other, but with everyone else, especially with our schedules. We definitely stay busy and keep our families busy."

Alma plays a benefit game in Paris on Aug. 20 and opens the season on Aug. 24 at home against Charleston.

"The keys to this season are putting in hard work, dedication, and positive energy," Kovalck said. "Which we have already been putting into our practices this summer.'

Kovalck first met Stark two years ago when he signed on to help with the 2024 season. Last fall, the Bartlesville, Okla., native took a job at Charleston but returned to Alma when former coach Kim Weaver resigned. 

"Coach Stark has blended in great. Everyone on the team loves him," Kovalck said. "There's also a handful of us who have already made bonds with him following a couple of seasons ago. With Coach Stark coming back, it feels perfect and exciting. We all feel ready and excited for the season thanks to him."