MARK TATUM Sports Editor
McCormack was hired in February to take over the job held by Coach Sid Feldman after his retirement. She brings years of experience as an assistant coach and player at Huntingdon College, where she frequently competed against the Lady Lions.
It’s her first head coaching job, and with that comes a new set of stressors. However, she is determined to take on that task of calling the shots, and instilling confidence in her players.
“Regardless of who walks in the gym or what school they came from, as long as we work hard and do what needs to be done on our end we will have everything we need to take on any team on any day and we have to believe that,” said McCormack.
While the returning players have impressed McCormack in the preseason, she believes that the young players on the roster have a chance to be special.
“I took over the program in late February and only saw one of our freshmen play before she committed, so I honestly had no idea what to expect out of this class, but they have impressed me immensely,” she said. “The work ethic of that group as a whole has been incredible so far.”
The biggest influence on her Volleyball career has been Rose Magers-Powell, a member of the United States Volleyball silver medalists in the 1984 Olympics. McCormack complimented her mentor’s knowledge of the game and her ability to get the best out of her players.
“I wouldn’t have been the player I was without her and now I am excited to be in a coaching role where I can apply things I learned from her in a new capacity.”
McCormack feels that the transition into her job has gone smoothly and she anticipates finding out what kind of team she has. The 2015 Lady Lions team finished the season with a record of 18-15.
The Piedmont Volleyball team will play its first series of games at the Oglethorpe Invite against Transylvania University, Oglethorpe University, Belhaven University and Keystone College on Labor Day weekend.