Novi hires Kacy Moran as next volleyball coach

<p>Kacy Moran know she has some big shoes to fill.</p> <p>But, if anyone knows who can fill them, it is probably the one that was wearing them originally.</p> <p>At the urging of former Novi volleyball coach Jennifer Cottrill, <a href="http://bit.ly/2IQLtVZ">who stepped down this offseason</a> after six seasons and three state championships, Moran will take over the Wildcat program after being named head coach this past week.</p> <p>“Jen reached out to me and I was surprised and nervous at the idea because it is a really big program and it’s really big shoes to fill given what Jen accomplished there and what Ricky (Cottrill) did as an assistant,” Moran said. “Talking to various people that have coached me or that I have worked with, they felt like I was a perfect fit for the position. After talking with some people about the job, I started to get a lot more excited and a lot less nervous.”</p> <p>Cottrill left the Novi program in May to spend more time with her family, leaving the three-time defending Class A champs with a big question mark.</p> <p>However, the coaching search concluded with Moran, a prep star at Canton High School and a member of the Western Kentucky volleyball program from 2009-12.</p> <p>Moran will be making her high school coaching debut this fall, but has been on the coaching staff at Legacy Volleyball club alongside Cottrill.</p> <p>“I think all of the girls and parents that are part of the program were looking for someone that was really excited and ready to step into (Cottrill’s) shoes. I think they were nervous about the change, understandably so. They wanted someone they believed in and I have all the confidence in the world that I can take over the program and continue to build on it and keep the Novi program relevant in high school volleyball,” Moran said.</p> <p>As a setter in high school and defensive specialist in college, Moran has a lot of experience playing volleyball and is ready to bring her youthful energy to the program.</p> <p>“I am young and I like to be able to demonstrate the skills we are working on because I feel when the girls see you can do it, they have more faith in you as a coach. I was a setter in high school and a (defensive specialist) in college, so I know those positions like the back of my hand,” Moran said. “Knowing the game like I do, hitting comes very naturally to me as well. As a setter, you have to run the offense and know what is working and what isn’t.”</p> <p>Moran will have a lot of adjustments to make with Novi’s rotation, as the Wildcats lose a lot of talent, including three All-State players. Headlining that group is the 2018 Miss Volleyball, setter Erin O’Leary.</p> <p><strong>Shannon Jennings</strong> will get the chance to run the offense this fall for Novi after spending a few years learning from O’Leary. She will have a lot of returning teammates in the backcourt, including defensive specialist <strong>Rachel Jennings</strong>, who saw a lot of court time in 2017 as a freshman.</p> <p>At the net, the Wildcats will have to replace Kathryn Ellison and Abryanna Cannon on the outside, but <strong>Jaeda Porter</strong> will make the move from middle to outside in her senior season.</p> <p>“I think we have a lot of pieces to work with, now it is just a matter of molding those pieces and getting to learn about all the new players to see what fits best,” Moran said.</p> <p>Moran expressed her appreciation for the Novi community for immediately embracing her as the next head coach and she knows that challenge that is ahead of her. Meeting the lofty expectations that Novi has set the past three years may not be possible, but she is confidence that the Wildcats are going to stay on the right path to success.”</p> <p>“There is a new coach and there are different systems to be worked in, but I think everyone is 100 percent on board with that,” Moran said. “I think the players and parents know that I have a resume that speaks for itself in terms of understanding the game. Everyone is on board and I think that is the most important part when you have a coaching change.”</p>