There will be a new head coach pacing the sidelines for both the Pike Liberal Arts volleyball team and JV girl’s basketball teams during the 2016-2017 season.

Faulkner University graduate Jacqui Wynn will take up the position previously held by Kellen Shirley.

“I’m really excited, I couldn’t be going to a better place,” Wynn said.

Along with coaching both varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams as well as the JV girl’s basketball coach, Wynn will also be the assistant softball coach under Scott Rollan and teach physical education.

“I am excited. I love all three sports,” Wynn said. “I love being able to work with the kids. It’s even better to be able to work with the young kids to be able to keep the programs going.”

Wynn is thankful that Pike gave her the opportunity to coach and teach at a full-time level for the first time.

“I can’t even put it into words how grateful I am for Mrs. (Becky) Baggett and Pike for giving me the opportunity to put in the work the schooling that I have been given by Faulkner University,” Wynn said.

Although this will be Wynn’s first full time coaching experience, she does have experience coaching at the club level and she hopes to bring team volleyball to Pike County.

“It’s going to be about teamwork,” Wynn said. “Teamwork is always going to be the way to get to where we want to go. We are going to have to do it together, myself included.”

Wynn played volleyball in high school at Alabama Christian Academy and later went on to be an assistant coach at Capitol City Juniors Volleyball Club.

“I am very comfortable,” Wynn said. “I played all three sports in high school. I signed a softball scholarship at Faulkner and played there as long as my shoulder would allow.”

Along with coaching volleyball, she will be the assistant coach under coach Rollan for the softball team.

“He (Rollan) has them going in a direction that is going to get them far not only on the softball field, but in life in general,” Wynn said. “From what I have seen during practices, he is going to get you to where you want to go as long as you’re willing to work hard.”

Above anything else, Wynn is excited to be able to coach and teach at school with a family mindset.

“I cannot begin to describe how exciting it’s going to be to have people there that are willing to always help you out no matter what,” Wynn said. “They have already been so welcoming to me by telling me everything they know. I am beyond blessed to even be here at this point.”