Family matters lead Risley to regretfully step down as Polk County volleyball coach

Kelly Risley fell in love with Polk County High School and its volleyball program – which made leaving it all the more difficult.

But with a desire to spend more time with her son and other family concerns, Risley has resigned as head coach of the Wolverine program after one season, accepting a position as head coach at Rugby Middle School.

Despite taking over the program just days before the 2013 season opener, Risley led Polk County to a 15-9 record and an appearance in the second round of the state 2A playoffs. Moving to North Carolina after a stellar coaching career in Florida, she served as an assistant at Rugby Middle under longtime coach Shawn Corhn before accepting the Polk County position. She’ll now replace Corhn, who retired after her final game, ironically a loss to Polk County Middle School in the championship game of the Blue Ridge Middle School Conference tournament.

“Family reasons. That’s it. I like it here a lot,” Risley said. “I’m going to miss it here. I’m sad to go.

“This was a great opportunity I had in terms of the people I worked with and the people I met. I’m going to miss it.”

The Rugby job will reduce both Risley’s daily travel time and her coaching time commitment. She will continue to coach at Xcel Volleyball Performance, where a number of local players train and compete in the offseason.

“She’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever seen,” said Polk County athletic director Jeff Wilson. “She’s an absolute winner in what she does on a daily basis with the girls, both on the practice court and in games.”

Polk County has begun the search for a replacement. The school system is also looking for a middle school volleyball coach to replace Brandy Alm, now the head girls basketball coach at Polk County High School. Risley’s successor will be one of three new head coaches at Polk County this fall, joining Alm and football coach Jamie Thompson.

Whoever replaces Risley will inherit a team with three returning all-conference players in Kara Overholt, Sarah Phipps and Lilly Owens as well as a number of talented freshmen moving up from Polk County Middle School’s undefeated squad.

“I’m leaving someone with a good position here, a really good position,” Risley said. “They’re going to be strong next year, and there’s another good group of girls coming through. A really good group.”