A new coach, new attitude and new uniforms make up the Lady Eagles volleyball team for the 2013 – 2014 school year.
Kyle Malzahn, AP European History Teacher, accepted the position of volleyball coach this summer. He said he enjoys the sport, which he has played in the past.
“I think that [the volleyball team] had potential and they were not utilizing that potential last year,” Malzahn said.
Several of the players have seen the change in the coaching in a positive light.
“There is an incredible difference between this year’s team and last year’s team,” varsity player and junior Vy Ha said. “It is a different feel to be pushed and motivated and to feel like a family instead of just being there.”
Mylo Miller, Athletic Director, approves of the new coaching as well. Miller explained that it is good to have a teacher coach the team so the students can have a better connection with their coach.
“Coach Malzahn and Coach Jackson have done a fantastic job this year teaching the girls the fundamentals of the game, how to be team players and challenging the girls to get better,” Miller said.
Malzahn said that the team has a very positive attitude and with that attitude they are headed in the right direction. The team has a lighter and more competitive feel which will hopefully result in a greater success at games this year. Varsity player and junior Logan Cates described the new attitude as “…happy, and the players are happy to have Malzahn as their coach.”
Miller has noticed the positive change and energy at the games encouraged all the students at Harding to go and support this fresh, energetic team.
In addition to the coaching and attitude changes, the volleyball team got new uniforms. The long – sleeved green and black Nike jerseys and black Nike spandex shorts were chosen by Malzahn. He said he chose the uniforms because it is important for the players to feel good about themselves and their image of themselves and the school, which makes the team look uniform and professional. Miller approved the volleyball team’s uniforms, because “they look sharp and bring out Harding’s school spirit.”
