In high school sports, the coaching carousel never seems to stop.
Volleyball isn't much different. As the Illinois High School Association celebrates its 50th season of the volleyball state finals, new head coaches will get an opportunity to lead their programs to this historic event in November.
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Here are five new volleyball coaches in the Peoria area for 2024.
Chelsea Brown, Elmwood
Brown replaces Felicia Charlesworth. Brown, a 2000 Limestone graduate, previously coached at Peoria High before leaving to start her family. "I love the sport," Brown said, "and wanted to get back into coaching. When the position right here in town became open, I thought it would be a great chance to help grow the love of the sport and work with these young ladies." The Trojans were 10-22 overall in 2023, losing to rival Brimfield in the regional quarterfinals. Sophomore Payge Ryan (special mention all-Prairieland) is expected to return.
Kaitlyn Edgcomb, St. Bede
Edgcomb spent last season as the Illinois Valley Community College head coach, leading the Eagles to a 13-9 season. The 2017 Putnam County grad replaces Abbi Bosnich, who had spent the previous four seasons with St. Bede. In that stretch, the Bruins won a 2021 Class 1A regional — their first since a Class A one in 2001. “I really think coaching at IVCC will be beneficial to the program at St. Bede,” Edgcomb told Shaw Media . “With having the experience as a player and a coach, I know where the girls need to be if they want to continue on to the college level." The Bruins went 13-18-1 last season, finishing 5-4 in their return to the Tri-County Conference.
Addie Patton, Deer Creek-Mackinaw
The 2016 Dee-Mack graduate takes over for Jen Locke, who spent the last three seasons as the head coach. Patton's playing resume includes being a major part of Dee-Mack's run to three Class 2A state finals from 2012-2014 highlighted by two state championships (2012, 2014). She was the Olympia head coach in 2021 and 2022, while coaching the Oly seventh-grade team for the last three seasons. The Chiefs went 22-15 overall in 2023, winning the program's 19th regional championship before losing in the sectional semifinals.
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Elizabeth Persinger, Illinois Valley Central
Persinger heads to Chillicothe and takes the reigns from Troy Webb, who in eight seasons posted a 179-87-1 career mark. His tenure included five 20-plus win seasons highlighted by a 2022 Class 2A third-place finish with a 37-4-1 final record. Persinger, who was a varsity head coach in Michigan, served the last three seasons as the Peoria Christian middle school, freshman and JV coach. "I am very grateful for this opportunity to lead this program," said Persinger, who is a 2001 Pinckney (Mich.) High graduate. The Grey Ghosts went 27-11 overall, making a third consecutive trip to the Class 2A Sweet Sixteen, while winning a regional in the process.
Paloma Simundic, Washington
Simundic, a 2006 Washington alum, replaces Kary Dowling, who resigned after three seasons with 69 victories and won a 2021 Class 3A regional title. "Obviously, being where I played previously is something that I would have loved to do," Simundic told the Journal Star in June , "and be a part of the community … It’s definitely awesome to be coaching in my hometown." After spending last season as the Panthers sophomore coach, Simundic had been the Limestone head coach from 2018-2021. She won 60 games over those four seasons. The Panthers went 17-18 overall last season, tying for fourth in Mid-Illini Conference play at 7-7. All-Mid-Illini player sophomore Carly Dawson (second team) is back.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Here are the Peoria area's 5 new volleyball coaches for the 2024 season
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