A rainy morning did nothing to dampen the spirits nor douse the excitement of 85-plus girls gathered for the first official day of volleyball practice at Eagan on Monday.
That turnout was no surprise for Eagan, long positioned among the elite high school volleyball programs in Minnesota. The Wildcats' pedigree is golden, with seven state titles amid a dozen appearances in the championship game since 1997.
The energy Monday morning was borne of something new. For the first time in more than three decades, there was a new name leading the team. McKenna Melville, 23, and only five years (and an All-America college career at Central Florida) removed from her high school days at Eagan, is in charge now, bringing youthful energy and buoyant confidence to the position.
The previous coach, Hall of Famer Kathy Gillen, was on hand, too, having moved into the role of Melville's top assistant. That not only makes the transition smoother, it makes perfect sense. Gillen is Melville's mother.
After so many years at the helm, Gillen said it was refreshing to relinquish the reins. She was the only coach the program had until this year. Now, she said, her role has taken on that of trusted advisor, consigliere to the newly installed boss.
"We've talked a lot," Gillen said with a bemused grin. "McKenna doesn't live with us, but she'll be over and my husband will walk in the room. He'll say 'Let me guess: You're talking volleyball right now. Surprise, surprise.'"
Gillen may advise, but she's well aware of her current role. This is her daughter's team.
"She's been doing all of the communication, all of the planning," Gillen said. "We needed a change and she's already brought in a lot of new things. She'll ask me something and I'll say 'In the past we've done it this way, but change is good, too.' "
