A change in coaching staff is never easy for any athletic program to adjust to.
The Lehman Lobos volleyball team, however, hopes new leadership can get the program on the winning side in 2018.
Karen Young, who was hired during the 2017 spring semester, takes over as the new head coach for Lehman volleyball. Young replaces Kathryn Legh-Page, who stepped down from the head coaching role last year due to family reasons.
Young brings experience to Lehman as she has been coaching high school volleyball for 25 years.
She spent the past five years at Marion High, where she had been coaching since 2012. Her teams won the district title four out of the five years she was there. Upon arrival, Young has been blown away by how welcoming her new team has been, both to her and to her family.
“This group of young ladies have been so welcoming, not only to myself and the staff, but to our family as well,” Young said. “When you come in, and there is an eagerness to get ready to go, it is always a pleasure to be there.”
Young and her staff inherit an experienced Lady Lobo roster, with seven seniors returning to lead the way in 2018. Seniors Mariah Pastrano and Lauren Lara look to lead the way. Lauren’s younger sister, Leah Lara, also figures to be a big part of the Lobo attack. Junior Trinity Simmons will be looking to establish her presence at the net as well.
The philosophy for Young and the Lobos is to control the ball as much as possible and be consistent in everything they do.
“Right now, we are focusing on a pack mentality,” Young said. “Being able to be versatile in our play. We really have been stressing ball control.”
Despite struggling in 2017, the Lady Lobos remain confident going into this season. The new leadership has the team ready to succeed, and Young’s influence has already begun to show dividends.
In their first match of the year, the Lobos defeated Crockett in dominant fashion, sweeping the Cougars in three sets. The arrow is pointing up for the Lady Lobos going into the future.
“There is a lot of team unity and spirit amongst the girls,” Young said. “Go into every day with a win the day mentality. If you go into each practice and game with that same mentality, the wins will begin to take care of themselves.”
The Lady Lobos host the Texas School for the Deaf Aug. 14, which is followed by the team’s Aug. 21 district opener against Akins at the Lobo Den.
