Another season, another new face in charge of Bulldogs

DUGGER -- The 2009 Union (Dugger) volleyball team members are front row (from left) Courtney Collins, Jessica Davidson, Tori Martindale and Taylor Bedwell. Back row (from left) Audrey Morrill, Shelby Wonders, Elizabeth Knight and Cynthia Colon. Not pictured is Conner Kendall. (By Travis David/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

Although McCoy will be new to the volleyball program she is not new to the girls athletic program.

"I have coached several sports for many years here," McCoy said. "I am here doing this for the kids."

Last season McCoy was an assistant for the Lady Bulldogs softball team.

To say McCoy has had to hit the court running to start the season would be an understatement. She was not named head coach until one day after teams were allowed to begin practice.

"We have spent as much time together as possible," McCoy said of getting to know her team. "We have practiced three hours a day since I was hired. We were not able to get any conditioning in so we have had to incorporate it into our practices."

McCoy will have nine girls at her disposal this season and the Lady Bulldogs will play a varsity-only schedule once again. Only one player has three years of experience on the team -- Jessica Davidson.

"Jessica has really stepped into the leadership and role model role," McCoy said.

The new head coach mentioned team chemistry as being one of the upbeat aspects of this season.

"As I have been told, last years team did not get along all that great," she said. "But thus far this year all the girls are getting along great and are very positive and helpful to each other."

McCoy mentioned just being able to be competitive in their matches as being one of the immediate goals for her youthful team.

"We have a young team so our goals are to get everyone working together and build a strong team," she said. "My expectations are to be competitive in every match and continue to improve."

Freshman Conner Kendall will be relied heavily upon to step in and make an immediate impact on the team.

"Kendall is one of our main setters and our other one (Cynthia Colon) is having knee surgery on Aug. 25," McCoy said. "So she has no choice but to step it up and she is doing a great job at it."

As if being a freshman setter on an inexperience team is not pressure enough, Kendall is also the daughter of the head coach.

McCoy said she is looking to accomplish more than just wins.

"My goals are to teach as much as possible and be a coach they can look up to," she said. "Of course we want to win games as well, but I want to help them move forward in the next few years."

McCoy also mentioned that she can not turn the program around by herself.

"I just want everyone to know that even though we are low in numbers we need the support of the community to help this program grow," coach McCoy said. "We need all the support from the parents and fellow students to make this a successful year and program."

Union (Dugger)

Volleyball Roster

Player Gr.

Coach: Nikki McCoy (first season).