Lady Vikings volleyball will enter season with new coach
The Charlo Vikings hired Janelle Pruitt to take over as the new Lady Vikings head volleyball coach.
Pruitt will fill in the coaching vacancy for Cammie Evenson, who departed from the Lady Vikings towards the end of the summer.
Pruitt was the former St. Regis junior high and high school volleyball coach from 2008 to 2011. Pruitt began as a junior high coach in 2008 and a volunteer high school assistant coach. For two years of volleyball, she was St, Regis’s head high school volleyball coach and one of year of basketball before she took a hiatus from coaching starting in 2011.
This marks the first time Pruitt has coached high school sports since the year 2011.
“After I moved up from the valley, I was commuting from Polson to St. Regis and the drive was just becoming too much for me to make,” Pruitt said. “I had to stop coaching for a few years.”
One struggle Pruitt had in St. Regis was dealing with the numbers, or lack of there of, of athletes available to her. In Charlo, Pruitt has a completely new situation.
“It is very exciting to have the girls that have the vast capabilities of the Charlo athletes,” Pruitt said. “They are really strong in numbers and the school’s intensity is rewarding to be a part of the community support and student preparation. The (Lady Vikings’) work ethic is incredible.”
The Lady Vikings, who finished second in districts last year and qualified for divisionals, gives Pruitt a very high ceiling to try to obtain after Evenson’s departure.
“Some of my goals for the team are just to explore how well-rounded they are,” Pruitt said. “They have such a vast capability to play multiple positions and I think we are going to be really competitive. I think these kids will surprise people at what they can do and the positions that they can play.”
Because of the multi-faceted capabilities of the Lady Vikings, Pruitt is trying to exceed their high potential.
“Right now, my biggest challenge is just finding out what their limits are,” Pruitt said. “(Their potential) is a lot higher than what I was expecting. Even in the early stages we are going to find out exactly what type of game we are going to play and where everyone’s contribution is going to be on the team.”
Pruitt said she has received a lot of warm reception from the community and the team after replacing Evenson, a highly successful coach.
“The reception I’ve received from the community and the team has been great and I am excited to be part of their program,” Pruitt said. “Their community is sort of prepared and ready for changes in different ways.”
Pruitt is excited about the Lady Vikings’ chances this season.
“The Lady Vikings have a really strong history of being on top regardless,” Pruitt said. “I expect to see us at the divisional and hopefully playing at the state level.”
Pruitt will have Bethany Manuel as her assistant junior varsity coach.
“When I was coaching in St. Regis, there was a different dynamic than with the Lady Vikings,” Pruitt said. “They are a lot more focused on habits, competitiveness and team work. There is a lot more heightened competitions for positions. I am very excited about that. The girls were really great this week in practice as well as challenging each other. It’s good to see that type of teamwork.”
Pruitt will fill in the coaching vacancy for Cammie Evenson, who departed from the Lady Vikings towards the end of the summer.
Pruitt was the former St. Regis junior high and high school volleyball coach from 2008 to 2011. She began as a junior high coach in 2008 and a volunteer high school assistant coach. For two years of volleyball, she was St. Regis’s head high school volleyball coach and one of year of basketball before she took a hiatus from coaching starting in 2011.
This marks the first time Pruitt has coached high school sports since the year 2011.
“After I moved up from the valley, I was commuting from Polson to St. Regis and the drive was just becoming too much for me to make,” Pruitt said. “I had to stop coaching for a few years.”
One trouble Pruitt had in St. Regis was dealing with the numbers, or lack there of, of athletes available to her. In Charlo, Pruitt has a completely new situation.”
“It is very exciting to have the girls that have the vast capabilities of the Charlo athletes,” Pruitt said. “They are really strong in numbers and the school’s intensity is rewarding to be a part of the community support and student preparation. The (Lady Vikings’) work ethic is incredible.”
The Lady Vikings, who finished second in districts last year and qualified for divisionals, gives Pruitt a very high ceiling to try to obtain after Evenson’s departure.
“Some of my goals for the team are just to explore how well-rounded they are,” Pruitt said. “They have such a vast capability to play multiple positions and I think we are going to be really competitive. I think these kids will surprise people at what they can do and the positions that they can play.”