Pulliam, new volleyball coach
Many Olney parents of students are excited this year that Olney ISD has secured a volleyball program and a new volleyball coordinator to go along with the program this year.
Samantha Pulliam will join the coaches of Olney ISD this coming school year as the volleyball coordinator and head coach of the Cubs Junior Varsity (JV) volleyball program. Mollie Pace will continue as the junior high volleyball coach. Olney High School will start this year with a JV team and build on that to add varsity in the future.
Coach Pulliam started playing volleyball at an early age most notably in Wichita Falls at Rider High School followed by two years at North Central Texas College.
Pulliam noticed that Olney did not have a volleyball program and that didn’t sit right with her. Pulliam had been active in putting together and helping organize non-school related tourneys and games including a volleyball tourney last year that had a large turnout of both teams and spectators held at the Olney Junior High School gymnasium. After recognizing her passion for the sport along with encouragement from Holly Bailey—local businesswoman who owns Hometown Coffee and Tea who also has a fondness for volleyball—Olney ISD approached Coach Pulliam with an offer to become the volleyball coordinator for Olney ISD and to help develop the program. Pulliam said, “ I plan on staying with Olney ISD for the long run.”
Pulliam plans to have two practices a day, which is a first for any Olney ISD girls’ sports program. Also, Pulliam held a summer league to help the girls to become familiar with the sport and to show how fun it can be. Although Pulliam admits it will be a challenge to work around other Olney ISD sports programs, she said the other coaches are putting forth the effort to find solutions that work well for all the programs currently in place. “Volleyball games will most likely take place on Tuesdays and Saturdays during the daytime but are not set in stone as of yet,” said Pulliam.
This year’s volleyball fundraising tournament is quickly approaching with a tourney name “Sunsetting in O Town.” The tourney, which kicks off the volleyball season, is scheduled to be a nighttime game with all funds made going to support the Olney ISD volleyball program for equipment and any incidentals that may come up during the season. The tourney will be a court tourney with six players on the court at a time. Each team will be responsible for a $10 per person entry fee. Teams will be able to have more than six people per team with extras rotating in throughout the tourney.
The tourney will be located at the Olney High School Gym Aug. 3 with registration beginning at 4:30 p.m. and game time starting at 5 p.m. Spectators are welcomed at $1 per person. Barbecue pulled pork sandwiches can be purchased separately or as a meal deal which includes the sandwich, a cookie, chips and a drink for $8. There will be a dash for cash which you may purchase tickets to have a chance to grab as much money as you can in the time limit allotted. Tower Extrusions and Stewarts Grocery store are supporting the tourney with donations to help make the tourney a success. Pulliam expressed her gratitude for the support of the businesses and community.
For more information keep an eye out of Olney’s many Facebook pages such as Olney Buy Sell Trade, Olney Enterprise, Olney Chamber of Commerce and Olney ISD Athletics or you may contact Coach Pulliam at spulliam@olneyisd.net.