GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Katie LaRue to take over head coaching position at Mercersburg

MERCERSBURG >> Just add another bullet point to Katie LaRue's resume.

LaRue is already the associate director of athletics and has been the girls basketball coach at Mercersburg Academy since 2011, and now, she will assume the duties of head girls volleyball coach for the Blue Storm as well.

LaRue had an all-state prep career in both basketball and volleyball in Greensboro, N.C., and she played both sports at the NCAA Division I level for a season at Charleston Southern University. After her first season, LaRue decided to focus solely on basketball.

"I'm very excited to work with the girls in the volleyball program," LaRue said in a press release. "They are hard-working and enthusiastic. Cindel (Hollenshead) has built a nice foundation, and I'm looking forward to continuing to grow the program. Many of the key players from last year's team will return, and we have a few new athletics coming in that should fit in nicely."

Hollenshead was the coach for three seasons at Mercersburg and guided the team to a PAISAA state tournament berth and an 8-8 record in 2014. She chose to leave the program to spend more time with her family.

"Although we will miss Cindel's leadership, we're fortunate to have a coach of Katie's abilities to step in and guide the program," said Mercersburg director of athletics Rick Henderickson. "Katie will bring the same enthusiasm, intensity and leadership to the volleyball court that she brought to our basketball program."

In four seasons as the Mercersburg girls basketball coach, LaRue led the program to levels not seen in 25 years. She led the 2012-13 team to a school record nine consecutive wins and finished the season with 16 victories, its highest total since 1986.