JIM ADAMS- THE CORSAIR
Corrected version
New head volleyball coach Chris Laird can finally call Pensacola home. He coached under former volleyball coach Pete Pena in 2002, and spent two years as assistant coach at the University of South Alabama. But much of his coaching career has been spent in Mississippi and Louisiana.
“I’ve always wanted to live in Pensacola,” he said.
The team officially began practice on Aug. 1 for their first match at a tournament Aug. 27 in Jacksonville. This leaves little time for Laird to work with a group of athletes who were recruited for him. With two scholarship slots still open, Laird held open tryouts to fill the remaining positions. Through his contacts in Mobile and with local clubs, he was able to round out the team.
Laird likened the first days of practice to “a big ball of clay that needs to be fine tuned into a sculpture.”
“We try to make things as simple as possible,” Laird said. “If you’re going for it, go for it with 100 percent. You can learn from your physical mistakes, but try not to make any mental errors. The players can be as aggressive as possible knowing that their coach has her back.”
Returning players from last year’s conference championship team include Ashlee Bergstrom, Cassidy Nance, Katlyn Free, Hannah Nichols, Kiara Gay, Catherine Goodman, Jordan Sonaglia, and Mallory Jones.
Practices are upbeat and the team is adjusting well to a few changes in coaching philosophy.
“It’s different,” Pine Forest grad Ashlee Bergstrom said about Laird’s coaching style. “Coach Laird is the best coach I’ve ever had. I think he is an awesome coach.”
Assistant coach Chad Fuller, who coached under Pena last year and helped the team move to the Pensacola campus from Milton, said the change has been a “smooth transition.”
Laird intends to be aggressive as well as having a lot of tolerance for the athletes.
“If they work hard, the results will pay off,” Laird said.
Sophomores
Ashlee Bergstrom-Pine Forest High School, Pensacola, Florida
Cassidy Nance-Christian High School, Birmingham, Alabama
Katlyn Free-Laurel Hill High School, Laurel Hill, Florida
Hannah Nichols-Booker T. Washington High School, Pensacola, Florida
Kiara Gay-Wakulla High School, Crawfordville, Florida
Catherine Goodman-Houston County High School, Warner Robbins, Georgia
Jordan Sonaglia-Marianna High School, Marianna, Florida
Mallory Jones-Hartselle High School, Hartselle, Alabama
Freshmen
Bridgett Dawson-Sneads High School, Grand Ridge, Florida
Tiffany Guerra-Sneads High School, Sneads, Florida
Emily Guidry-Fort Walton Beach High School, Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Karson Hinds-Niceville High School, Niceville, Florida
Adrianne Woodard-Lawton Chiles High School, Tallahassee, Florida
Coach Chris Laird
Hometown: Tylertown, Miss.
Education: Bachelor’s in sports administration, University of Southern Mississippi
Master’s of Business Administration, University of Southern Mississippi
Coaching experience: 1994 student assistant, University of Southern Mississippi
1995 assistant coach, University of Southern Mississippi
1997 assistant coach, University of Alabama, Huntsville
2002 assistant coach, Pensacola Junior College
2003-2005 assistant coach, University of South Alabama
2005-2010 head coach, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, La.
