The John Carroll community has welcomed a new coach to the girls varsity volleyball court.  Coach Katie Forsythe has brought with her 16 years of experience.

Coach Forsythe attended Loyola University Maryland for five years at a Division 1 level with an additional three years of coaching experience from Stars Academy, Wilde Lake High School, and Maryland Junior Volleyball Club.

Coach Forsythe said, “I wanted to coach at a program within a volleyball competitive conference and one that reminds me of home. John Carroll has good culture and hard-working students in every sport.”

With the first turnover in coaches in four years, Coach Forsythe hopes to implement new plans for the team.

She explained, “Big words we use in the gym are discipline, communication, and heart, meaning that no matter how we feel, we can stay disciplined in what we know about playing volleyball, talking to each other no matter what is going on around us on the court, during and after the play.”

Junior Allison Cox commented, “She helps teach us strategies before the game to have a positive mindset and stop ourselves from getting into our heads during the game.”

She added, “She isn’t afraid of telling us what we did wrong, so we have a chance to understand and fix our mistakes. She sets high goals for us to achieve as well as excel.”

Coach Forsythe also makes sure the team exceeds every practice and motivates them to practice set skills and effort that translates to games.

During the off-season Coach Forsythe made it an option for the team and anyone interested to do summer workouts to prepare for the season.

Allison said, “Our season has been improving greatly with her help and will continue to get better each practice and game.”