The Johnsonian

Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Sports

When Sally Polhamus was named the new volleyball coach to succeed Joel McCartney last January, she went right to work.

Officially, Polhamus started her first venture as a head coach January 22 and has been working hard to maintain and increase the teams' success.

An assistant coach in multiple schools, Polhamus is no stranger to playing big-time universities.

"The diversity of conferences I've been at, the diversity of schools-small schools, large schools-the Big 10 Conference, smaller conferences, I have a real feel for recruiting wise," Polhamus said.

Polhamus's resume includes serving as an assistant coach at Georgia Tech University for five years, as an assistant for two years at Indiana University, and a recruiting coordinator at the University of Dayton.

McCartney's efforts built the volleyball program into what it is today, with Big South Championships the past five years and trips to the NCAA tournament.

"Winthrop is a wonderful school to recruit to," Polhamus said. "Academically, very high standard. Athletically, incredible facilities and a rich tradition of success, and the coach Joel McCartney had done a fantastic job of really building the program and putting it on the map as a national program, recruiting from all areas of the country."

"My goal is to aim to continue what McCartney started and bring hard work and energy to gym everyday," Polhamus said.

Polhamus was a college athlete herself when she served as a four-year letter winner at Xavier University, receiving All-Conference honors each year. She finished her career as the school's career kill leader and ranked second in career digs. She graduated from Xavier in 1997. Polhamus also became the first volleyball player to be inducted into her alma mater's Athletic Hall of Fame.

She knows what it's like to be a college athlete and relates to those she coaches.

"Understanding motivation and dealing with injuries and pushing through. Resilience and perseverance are two of our key words this fall. I do think that plays a big role being a former athlete and looking to lead these players."

Polhamus has many things to look forward to this year as she leads a squad for the first time.

"I look forward to bringing in our new players and creating a system that exposes our strengths," Polhamus said. "We have a large incoming class and have an amazing returning group that has great leadership and to create a system that will definitely take advantage of our strength. That is the goal for this year."

Polhamus first victory as a coach came last friday against Towson University.

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