After serving one year as assistant coach, Megan Thompson has been named the head volleyball coach at McDonald County High School.
"Being named to the head volleyball coaching position is a huge honor," Thompson said. "To only be here for a year and to get the head coaching position is a huge blessing. I had all of last year to get to know the girls so that was really, really nice. I felt that we built strong relationships last year that we are going to take into this season."
Thompson said even though the Lady Mustangs lost a strong group of seniors to graduation, there is a big group of girls in grades 9-12 in the volleyball program.
"We have several eighth-graders moving up to freshman and several girls coming back to volleyball after not playing last year," Thompson said. "There just is going to be a great number of girls in the program."
Joining Thompson on staff are Emilee Sumler and Thomas Bruce.
"Emilee is going to be the junior varsity coach," Thompson said. "She was the eighth-grade coach last year. We are bringing in my first club coach whose name is Thomas Bruce from Bentonville to coach the freshmen."
Thompson said she is ready to get going.
"It s super, super exciting," Thompson said. "I am really looking forward to a great year. They are a great group of girls. The atmosphere they created is strong and energetic and they have a passion for volleyball and it really shows. That makes my job a lot easier."
Thompson said this summer the team will go to camps in Branson and Joplin and one in-house camp at MCHS.
"We want to get the girls as much playing time and as many touches on the ball as possible this summer," Thompson said. "There is so much potential for this group."
Thompson said she is overwhelmed by all of the support she has received at McDonald County.
"I appreciate everything that everybody at McDonald County High School and in the county has done for me," Thompson said. "I want to thank Nick Martin (athletic director) and Greg Leach (principal) for allowing me the opportunity to take this position and everyone on the board for trusting me with these girls."
Thompson is a 2012 graduate of Shiloh Christian High School in Springdale, Ark., and a 2016 graduate of the University of Arkansas.
Sports on 05/25/2017