A coaching change may have come at as good of a time as any for Atlantic volleyball with seven seniors gone from last year’s squad. Michelle Blake takes over the head coaching reigns from Emma Bireline who stepped down to spend more time with her young family. Blake has been an assistant coach for numerous Atlantic sports previously, including as an assistant with Coach Bireline during her first season. Coach Blake said that has helped in the transition for her.

Atlantic is coming off a 16-22 campaign last year, which showed continued improvement from a 4-28 season in 2016. For that improvement as a program to continue the Trojans will need to fill the void of losing their top players to graduation. The two leaders in kills from last year Cheyenne Elliot and Riley Seufert are gone, as is setter and assist leader Sidney Svoboda. Coach Blake said the team feels like this is a great opportunity to build a confident mindset with a lot of young players.

Atlantic opens up the season on Saturday at the AHSTW Tournament in Avoca. They will then play in a triangular with AC/GC at CAM next Tuesday. Coach Blake said she is looking to see the girls compete hard in these early matches.

You can hear the full interview with Coach Blake this Saturday morning at 8:30am on our Saturday Morning Coaches Show on KJAN.