Glenda Parrish steps into the position of head volleyball coach, replacing Chuck McCracken, who resigned Dec. 31.
Parrish began her coaching career at Forbush high school in 1990. Other coaching experiences include coaching Lenoir-Rhyne, a Junior Olympic team, and serving as assistant coach at Alabama A&M. During her 8 years at Lenoir-Rhyne, she led their Division II team, the Bears, to three straight winning seasons from 1999-2001. In 2000, the Bears’ record was 19-13, their best season since 1989.
In 1995, Parrish founded the Hickory International Spikers Club, where she coached teams in two national tournaments. She is also a member of the American Volleyball Coach’s Association and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Parrish’s volleyball experience is not limited to coaching; she hasplayed as well. She was named Most Valuable Player at Ledford high school, and in her senior year, the team won its first state title. At Catawba College, she continued her volleyball playing career, receiving All-Carolinas Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and All-National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics District 26 honors her senior year. She graduated from Catawba with a bachelor’s degree in public recreation. In 1994, Parrish got her master’s degree in physical education from Alabama A&M.
“I grew up in Winston-Salem,” Parrish said, commenting on why she came to Guilford, “and right now some people in my family are going through some health problems and I wanted to be closer to home.”
The women’s volleyball team is excited to have her here. “I’ve heard she is a good coach and something that Guilford needs,” junior Cassidy Hey said.
This year she brings some unexpected goals for the team: “I would like to set an academic goal of having the highest GPA of all the athletic teams at Guilford, while finishing in the top 3 in the ODAC.”
Parrish has never coached Division III, so she is unsure of the commitment of the players here, since there are no binding athletic scholarships. However, so far she isn’t seeing too many differences from previous teams.
“From the players I met, it is typical of other colleges,” Parrish said. “The personalities are the same. They’ve welcomed me and so far they seem to be a good bunch.”
Sophomore Mackenzie Parsio is also excited to work with Parrish. “I have seen her coach her Junior Olympic team last season,” Parsio said, “and she seems like a very determined and accomplished woman when it comes to the sport of volleyball.”
Parrish has only met with some of the team members since there are no competitive games this spring. They will begin practicing this March, but will not have any games again until the fall.
“I’ve met most of the players and things are starting to gel,” Parrish said. “Guilford is very friendly, fun and beautiful. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of change I can make.”