Staff writer
By Tuesday morning, administrators at Peabody-Burns High School were breathing a bit easier about the approach of the fall sports season.
After searching most of the summer for a volleyball coach for the high school team, athletic director Ray Savage announced Tuesday that a coach and assistant coach had been hired.
By shifting some people and positions on the coaching staff, Savage said he felt there was a combination in place that would solve the staffing problem.
Isaac Burnett, who was planning to coach the middle school volleyball team, will move up to coach the Lady Warriors.
Sheena (Chapman) Gann recently moved back to Peabody. She will serve as assistant coach. Gann graduated from PBHS in 2000 and played volleyball and basketball for four years.
At press time, Savage felt confident he had a candidate willing to take over the middle school volleyball coaching duties, but had not yet received confirmation.
“I hate to comment before getting a firm commitment,” he said.
Savage and Superintendent Ron Traxson have been searching for a volleyball coach since former coach Darren Schroeder resigned in the spring to take a position at Marysville.
“We had a number of inquiries about the job, but no real applicants,” Traxson said. “We have several people on our staff that could fill the position, but they all are involved with other activities and students groups.”
Lana Benson, whose daughter Katy is a junior playing volleyball, said Katy and several teammates have worked out all summer despite rumors that the school might not find a coach.
“I am not sure what will happen if they can’t find someone,” she said. “But the girls have kept training and worked hard to stay in shape.”
Aug. 18 is the first day of practice for students participating in fall sports.
Finalizing the middle school coaching slot will get all the teams started on time.
“We’re looking forward to a good year,” Savage said.