KFDM COOP Posted June 28, 2007 Report Posted June 28, 2007 Riddick announced as new OF volleyball coachGabriel PruettThe Orange LeaderORANGEFIELD — To bring the volleyball program up to the level of the basketball program is the No. 1 priority for new Orangefield volleyball coach Linda Riddick.Orangefield Athletics Director Blake Morrison recently announced the hiring of Riddick to replace Becky Sanders.Riddick has been with the district for five years and is also the head golf coach and assistant girls basketball coach.“I am real excited about this opportunity,†Riddick said. “When the vacancy came up I thought about it and decided this was the time to become a head coach.â€The outlook for the Lady Bobcats is a bright one with returning players Kaylin “KK†Little, Laura Riddick, Aimee Scales and Allie Beach. Newcomers to the team will include Jessica Maass, Jessica Wheldon, Jessica Worthing and Olivia Wagner.“We have so many kids that play both volleyball and basketball,†Riddick said. “Our girl’s program has so many athletes that it is easy to share them.â€The girls basketball program at Orangefield has been one of the best around for several years and Riddick know wants those same athletes to take volleyball just as serious.Making the playoffs in District 21-3A is a tough road in volleyball though since the number of talented teams are at a premium.“It is a very tough district for volleyball,†Riddick added. “Hamshire-Fannett is always tough and Silsbee and Bridge City are always so fundamentally sound. I think we will surprise some teams this year because we are not looked at as a volleyball school. That is something we hope to change.â€Morrison has been a busy man this offseason also having to find replacements at the head girls basketball and softball positions.Amy Duhon is the new softball coach and Chris Jost is the new girls basketball coach after the resignation of Sondra Ancelot. “She (Riddick) is a hard working coach,†Morrison said. “Linda is a great fit for Orangefield and I think she will do a great job. She does a great job with discipline and gets the kids focused. I think she will take the same approach that our basketball team does and she really took charge after Becky left by helping with all the summer leagues.â€With the three hires made this summer for the girls’ programs Morrison said the teams are ready to make some noise soon.“Coach Jost is going to keep the basketball going with the same intensity,†Morrison said. “Linda and Coach Duhon, I think both of those two are going to be great situations. We are looking for Coach Riddick to start our year off in a great way. We want volleyball and softball to be on the level of our basketball. She is going to do a great job and once she gets that first W under her belt, she will be fine.â€Riddick likes the near future for the Lady Bobcats program and is ready for the first practice on Aug. 6.“The future is bright,†Riddick said. “With the kind of kids we have, you can’t help but be competitive. They are all great kids with great work ethics.â€Riddick added she will still serve as the Lady Bobcats head golf coach and assistant basketball coach.
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