As reported by OJC

LA JUNTA — The McDivitt Center Gymnasium sits eerily quiet this week, the floors are refinished, the walls are painted, and the locker rooms scrubbed— it is the calm before the storm.

The calm will be short-lived; however, as a new head volleyball coach and a talent-filled roster of Lady Rattlers will begin making some noise in less than a week; preparing for the 2008 season.

Melissa Anderson, originally from Thoreau, New Mexico, was recently named the new Head Volleyball Coach for the OJC Lady Rattlers.

She replaces former head coach Dana Cordova, who is now coaching at Montana State University Billings. Anderson will also be coaching men’s and women’s golf during the spring sports season.

Anderson comes to OJC by way of East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s degree in sports administration.

She played collegiate volleyball at Lamar Community College for two years, earning an associate degree at LCC, and two years at Si Tanka University in Huron, South Dakota.

While at Si Tanka, Anderson competed in the 2003 NAIA National Volleyball Tournament.

For the past two years Anderson has been working for East Central University Athletic Department where she assisted with athletic compliance, eligibility, scholarships, and budgeting.

As the first-year coach prepares for her maiden season, she has great confidence in her new role.

“I played competitive volleyball for over 10 years, playing for a variety of coaches with many different styles,” Anderson said. “From those experiences, I have taken what I believe to be the most effective coaching methods and developed my own coaching style, using the best from the best.”

With the start of practice on August 4, Coach Anderson will meet the full roster of 21 players who will make up the 2008 team.

The team has nine returning sophomores and 11 incoming freshman.

“Under Coach Cordova, the OJC volleyball program had a competitive season in 2007. I’m looking forward to building upon the momentum that was created last year with a team that is loaded with talent and hard working athletes,” said Anderson.

With the experience of the returning sophomores and the fresh enthusiasm and drive of the incoming freshmen, Anderson said she feels she could have not walked into a better scenario as a first-time head coach.

“I am very eager to kick off the season; the girls are excited and are ready to prove to me and to each other, they have what it takes to be a key contributor toward the success of this team.”