Sports roundup: Waynesboro volleyball coach steps down; Wilson tennis wins; AYSO coaches needed
WAYNESBORO — Lori Aleshire stepped into big shoes in 2007 when she took over as the Waynesboro volleyball coach. The former standout player took over for Candace Kimmitt, who had been head coach for 13 years, 11 of those co-coaching with Pat Austin.
Aleshire played for Austin and Kimmitt, winning a state championship, then went on to play college volleyball at Elon for Sue Leonard, who started the Waynesboro program in 1979 before moving into college coaching. When Aleshire was named head coach, she was only the fourth coach in school history.
On Monday, Aleshire announced on her Facebook page that she was stepping down.
"After twenty-four years as a volleyball coach at WHS, I am resigning from my position," she wrote. "Being a head coach takes an incredible amount of energy, passion, and time away from your family. This definitely was a hard decision to make but it is time for me to move on mentally and physically."
The Little Giants finished the past season 9-14 and was 6-6 in the Shenandoah District.
"I am so grateful and honored to have had the opportunity to coach every single girl that has walked into my gym," Aleshire wrote. "I will forever cherish the memories and friendships my players, coaching staffs and the coaching community has given me."
Aleshire was a setter during her playing days at Waynesboro and, in 1996, was named the state player of the year.
Her decision comes less than two months after the Waynesboro football coach, Brandon Jarvis, stepped down, leaving two big coaching vacancies for the school's main fall sports.
"Know I will always be here for you," Aleshire wrote to her players. "Be it in volleyball, life, school, love or family. I will no longer be your coach but I will be your cheerleader in life. My door is always open or I am just a phone call away. Know that what you learned on my court can always be applied to many facets of your life."
Aleshire said the hardest part about stepping away is saying goodbye to the bonds she forms with her players every year.
Hornets stop Storm in boys, girls tennis
Wilson Memorial beat Staunton 8-1 Monday in Shenandoah District boys tennis. It was the fifth straight win for the Hornets, who are now 5-2 on the season and unbeaten in district play.
SINGLES:Conner Miller (WM) def Laurel Shelton 8-0Tyler Knick (WM) def Elias Hardy 8-1Drew Pumphrey (WM) def Sawyer Tuttle 8-3Jonah Heishman (S) def Tim Cole 8-6Grant Wright (WM) def Garrett Kane 8-0Cooper Brandt (WM) def August Schwanier 8-0
DOUBLES:Miller/Cole (WM) def Shelton/Tuttle 8-5Knick/Wright (WM) def Hardy/Heishman 8-1Pumphrey/Clay Meeks (WM) def Runako Walsh/Landen Baker 8-1
The Wilson girls also won, improving to 4-2 overall and 4-2 in district play. Wilson beat Staunton 9-0 Monday.
SINGLES:Alison Troxell (WM) def. Mia Hansen 9-8 (7-3)Brynlee Roach (WM) def. Felicity Jones 8-2River Cranford (WM) def. Hayden Terry 8-6Iris Chen (WM) def. Harper Leavitt 8-0Grace Godette (WM) def. Emily Perkins 8-2Liz Cameron (WM) def. Becca Austin 8-2
DOUBLES:Troxell/Roach (WM) def. Hansen/Jones 8-4Cranford/Chen (WM) def. Terry/Leavett 8-6Godette/Cameron (WM) def. Perkins/Austin 8-1
AYSO needs coaches
Augusta County's AYSO Region 816 soccer league needs coaches. The league, which plays games near Augusta Expo at 277 Expo Rd. in Fishersville, has close to 400 players. If interested in coaching, contact Morris Hickman at (540) 849-0073.
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— Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education reporter. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Waynesboro volleyball coach resigns; Wilson tennis wins: Sports roundup
