By By BRUCE HIXON – Sports Editor
It may not take long to summarize Britney Shelly's volleyball and coaching background, but that does not deter her enthusiasm as the new W.S. Neal Lady Blue Eagles coach.
The W.S. Neal post is the first coaching job for Shelly. It is also her first experience with volleyball.
Shelly's opportunity became available when preceding coach Chuck Riddle left the program to become a game warden two weeks ago. Shelly is the Lady Blue Eagles third coach in as many years. Riddle guided the Lady Blue Eagles to their most successful season ever last season, albeit their record was only 7-16.
Learning names may not be a huge challenge for the 24-year-old Shelly.
Shelly has an even closer connection with one Lady Blue Eagle. Sophomore Caitlyn Blackman is Shelly's niece.
Shelly admits it is tough for players in a program to have to keep learning new systems. One plus for Shelly is W.S. Neal returns virtually its entire team from a year ago.
Not only does Shelly have to learn her team, she also has to learn about the foes in W.S. Neal's home of Class 4A Area 2, which include T.R. Miller and Andalusia.