New team, same dream
Sitz named new Fruitland volleyball coach
By Ray Rodriguez
Argus Observer
Friday, July 17, 2009 12:46 PM PDT
| |
| ARGUS OBSERVER FILE PHOTO
Fruitland’s Sarah McGinley (front) prepares for the dig while teammate Jarica Martarano looks on in this Argus Observer file photo taken last year. McGinley and Martarano are part of a team of five returning players who will grace the court in 2009 under new head coach Rena Sitz. |
Fruitland—When looking to fill the role of head volleyball coach, Fruitland High School Athletic Director Beth Holt did not have to look too far.
In fact, all Holt had to do was take a look in her own back yard.
And, in picking Rena Sitz to replace former head coach Lisa O’Neil, she went with experience and a pedigree of success.
“Rena was very successful at the JV (junior varsity) level and is a big part of our volleyball program,” Holt said. “She has a lot of pride in Fruitland volleyball and will do a fantastic job. We hired Rena for several reasons: She is a veteran to the game, has head coaching experience and is great with kids.”
In her 13 years as coach of the freshman and junior varsity teams at Fruitland, Sitz, who starred as an outside hitter in high school and college, has been a part of 10 district championship-winning teams.
Walking into a successful program does not add any extra pressure to the veteran coach, whose 2009 team motto is “new team, same dream.”
“I don’t really feel pressure,” Sitz said. “The kids are more important to me than a district championship. If the kids come away with a great experience and are more knowledgeable of the game, then we, as coaches, did our job. Our kids strive to be excellent on their own. I just want to continue what we started 13 years ago.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Argus Observer
