By Tim Krohn
MANKATO — It started with some rope, a volleyball, a pair of nylons and a house with a cathedral ceiling.
Today, Dave Omtvedt’s Solo Spike machine and training program is used by universities and high schools across the country.
Omtvedt, a Madison Lake volleyball enthusiast played in leagues for 20 years until taking time off to raise kids. When he decided to get back into the sport five years ago, he found he’d lost his timing. He needed to practice.
“We had wood floors and a vaulted ceiling at home. I took a rope and put a volleyball in a pair of my wife’s nylons and tied them between two rafters,” Omtvedt said. “I was surprised how realistic it felt when I hit it.”
Omtvedt spent the next two years developing a prototype Solo Spike machine, which features a volleyball held between two bands on a pipe that can be raised or lowered. He uses a computer software program and video camera to tape players’ approach and spike, allowing him, or a coach, to look for a player’s flaws frame by frame.
Omtvedt, who said he had moved up through the ranks of Taylor Corp. companies and was on his way to someday head one of their firms, used his vacation time to go to area high schools and colleges to demonstrate his invention.
“I knew there was interest there. I’d been in sales, so I know that what people were saying about the product was good.”
He quit his job, cashed in his 401k and savings, found a manufacturer — Pro Fabrication of Madison Lake — and started Solo Spike.
His machines, which sell for $2,700, are used by 150 high schools and 40 universities, including several with Division I volleyball teams.
While the machine provides the tool to practice spikes, it is the related training programs that bring improvement for players, he said.
The heart of the training is the video/computer system that lets Omtvedt, coaches and players watch their approach and spike.
“Watching themselves really helps them understand that when I tell them to do this, this is what will change. It’s hard for people to understand what they’re doing wrong until they see it,” Omtvedt said.
One common mistake is taking too-long a first step as they rush the net. Another, he said, is right-handed hitters not getting their left hand high enough when they jump.
“Getting the left hand high increases the leap height and it positions their body better for a stronger spike. Everyone thinks their left hand is up high, but when you show them on the video, they see it isn’t.”
Students who take the training are videotaped over and over. The videos can be easily superimposed so a player can compare, step by step, an early attempt at a spike with a better effort after hours of training.
Omtvedt put on about 800 camps at schools last year, allowing entire teams to use the equipment and training.
He also offers more intense training — 1 hour and 15 minutes twice a week for nine weeks.
“We’ve had very good success, adding an 8- to 10-inch increase in their attack spike.”
He has trained students who flew in from states as far away as Florida and Georgia.
“We had a gal who flew in from the University of Nebraska. After 5 1/2 hours of training, she was 5 inches higher on her attack spike.”
He’s even sold some machines to parents. “It’s not a cheap product, with the machine plus the training, but the parents figure their child may get a scholarship for their extra effort.”
Several months ago, he opened a store in River Hills Mall, next to Sears, so he can offer classes there, as well as promote related services.
He has set up a room for golfers, using the same video training program to allow people to improve their swing. Golfers are videotaped hitting a golf ball into a net, and then can watch their stance, wrist and arm position and club position at several key spots.
Omtvedt has tape of pro golfers’ perfect swings to compare to.
The store is also selling the GymStick, an exercise and strength-training device. It is a lightweight fiberglass stick with rubber-like bands fastened to each end. There are loops at the end of the bands that can be placed under the feet or in the hands for a variety of exercise options aimed at mimicking workout machines.
“We’re the first U.S. dealer to sell the GymStick. It’s good for anybody and any sport. We’re focusing on schools now. But I think they’ll be everywhere in a few years because it’s so versatile,” Omtvedt said.
But Solo Spike remains the core of his business and he is on track to open offices and training centers in the Twin Cities and Columbus, Ohio, next summer and is working on locations in Texas and Nebraska — all places where there are well-established volleyball clubs and school programs.
The business’ Web site is www.solospike.com or call 385-2040.
