14-1 Hermantown volleyball soaring under first-year head coach Williams
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No one can predict how a new era will shape up, but Hermantown volleyball is soaring under first-year head coach Jessica Williams.
They currenty sit 14-1 overall, a record that includes 10 shutouts, with just over two weeks left in the regular season.
“Our coaches have been really honest during practice, and I have to give props to our coach, Coach Williams. She’s been really putting in a lot of effort this year,” senior outside hitter, captain, Emilie Rish shared.
Fellow captian and outside hitter Elle Jokinen mirrored her sentiments.
“Jess helped us last year with assistant coaching Sue and doing that helped her transition really good. She took over very nicely, filled those big shoes,” Jokinen shared.
Hermantown head coach Jessica Williams smiles in a huddle with her volleyball team (WDIO).
It’s been an emotional journey for the former JV coach taking the reigns from the now retired Sue Wasbotten. Wasbotten spent 15 years as head coach of Hermantown volleyball and 33 total years on the Hawks bench. During those three decades she coached hundreds of talents including Williams, a Hermantown alum herself.
“I have dreamt about this for a really long time,” Williams said. “Being able to coach after Coach (Beth) Clark and Coach Wasbotten, and them trusting me in the program because it’s been so good, is awesome and really a dream come true.”
Williams said teaching at Hermantown Middle School she still keeps in touch with Wasbotten, who offers her words of encouragement while expressing pride for the Hawks’ success.
Next the Hawks battle Mille Lacs in Mora on Saturday.