After a star studded season last year, the volleyball team not only lost 5 influential seniors, Nala Shearer, Maddie Dahl, Sophie Vaught, Sophia Perlozzo, Mackenzie Burch, the team also lost their head coach Kassidy Beagen. After the hiring process over the summer, the Athletics Department hired Coach Gabe Wagner.
Wagner played 3 years of volleyball at Southern Virginia University. He then worked as the assistant coach of their men’s volleyball team for 2 years. When Wagner was hired, he was the first male head coach for the volleyball team here at RCHS. It was also his first year coaching girls.
Wagner, along with many players, are in a spot they have never been this year. Senior Rebekah Allen is the only senior on the volleyball team this year. The juniors and sophomores, such as Maisen Mckemy and Geneva Snyder, are playing more than non seniors have in the past. While this may seem as a disadvantage, Wagner has a positive outlook on the season.
“My goal is to get better everyday,” said Wagner. “To get 1% better every practice that we practice and end the year significantly better than we started.”
Wagner is excited with what the girls have been able to accomplish so far this year and is excited to see where they end up. While starting off with a much different season than last year he is still looking for improvement not only in the game of the girls but also trying to help improve their lives.
“I find a lot of fulfillment in coaching people to be better. I’m excited to work with these girls and help them get better.” said Wagner. “Not just in volleyball, but as people.”
Volleyball has had a different start to the season then the team did last year. Starting 1-5 may be a disappointing start, but the team has shown a lot of improvement. Losing 3-1 in their first game against Parry Mccluer, then the team came back and won 3-0 in the rematch game.
Volleyball started district play on Sept 10, their record in district is 0-2. Many people are waiting in anticipation for the rest of the season and excited to see how the girls are able to improve and grow this season.
For a feature video, click the link to watch the Sept. 6 Wildcat Weekly with an interview with Coach Wagner.
