Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Shelly TerHark and the Algona volleyball team huddles up during a match at the Gael gym in Fort Dodge.

Wins are nice. Accolades are appreciated.

Building relationships, though, is what Shelly TerHark considers her most important role.

TerHark, who is in her 33rd season overall and 20th at Algona, recently earned her 850th career victory. Currently sitting at 853-297, TerHark is seventh on Iowa’s all-time win list among volleyball coaches.

Even with the present milestone, the numbers aren’t what is important.

“I take pride is the longevity and to be able to connect with kids for 33 years,” TerHark said. “Milestones are nice, but those relationships are the most important. Always have been.”

Seeing her former players succeed in the real world and beyond their high school years is something TerHark truly treasures.

“One of the neatest things is when past players have become my assistants,” TerHark said. “I’ve had some kids come back and help me on the sidelines. So to go from player to coach and then sometimes coaching against some of them in this sport — that’s what is special.

“Something I tell my team: success is important, of course, but nothing is more awesome than getting a wedding invitation from one of my former players.”

TerHark started her coaching career in the fall of 1986 as an assistant at Clarion-Goldfield. She took over the head coaching job the next season and coached the Cowgirls for 13 years, including 12 as the head coach.

She took the Algona position in 1998, has been there ever since.

TerHark is still chasing what has been an elusive championship, but the Bulldogs were state runner-ups 2004. While at Algona, TerHark led the program to seven straight North Central Conference championships at one point and three more silver medals.

With 33 years on the sidelines, TerHark has seen the gradual progression of volleyball from only serving to 15 points to the current rally scoring and the general change in the “the speed of the game.”

Will there be 34 years when all is said and done, 35, or more? TerHark said there are many factors in play.

“It depends on a lot,” TerHark said. “I take it year by year. When my daughter Laura (TerHark) Odland graduated in 2011, I thought I would be done. But then you get a different group, and they graduate, and another new one comes in you look forward to coaching.

“It’s just one of those things where I’ll see how it goes. I still enjoy doing it.”

With all the time in the gym for practices and games, TerHark’s one constant has been family support.

“My husband, Todd, is still my No. 1 fan,” TerHark said. “Without him, I wouldn’t be able to do this. He is so supportive. He’s been dad and mom all in one.

“When Laura was old enough she would sit with me on the bench. Luke grew up like all of my other kids — in the gym. They learned about competition and the ups and downs of it all.

“Coach’s kids know the hard work and commitment it takes. They know mom will be home late. When my son played middle school sports, we video taped him and I would watch later, but Todd would always be there. Fortunately, my kids always understood the time it takes to be successful.”

Luke is now playing college basketball at Wayne State University in Nebraska, while Laura is teaching second grade in Clarion. She is currently the freshman and assistant volleyball coach.

It’s taken a village for TerHark to reach the 850-victory mark.

“So much of your success comes from who you surround yourself with,” TerHark said. “With the administration, assistant coaches and middle school coaches, we’ve made it work in our system. We’re not successful if everyone isn’t developing the fundamentals (at the lower levels) first.

“I get the accolades, but so many people have a say in all of this. It’s the kids, the parents and the support staff. This is (an achievement) for our community.”