Colony coach off to a good start

DARRELL L. BREESE/ Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - Amy Carter was both excited and nervous when she took over for Faith Scott as the head coach of the Colony High volleyball team a year ago.

She experienced the same emotions over the weekend as she guided the Knights in their quest for the state championship.

&#8220Wow,” Carter said of coaching in the tournament during her first year as head coach. &#8220I was a wreck compared to the girls.”

The success enjoyed by the Knights, who finished third at the state championship, was more than Carter expected when the season started.

&#8220I expected us to have a decent season when we started practice, but never dreamed it would have gone as well as it did,” Carter said. &#8220As the season went on I think the girls made a believer out of me.”

With just three players back with varsity experience, Carter was justified in keeping her expectations in check for her first season. But that all changed when the team suffered its first loss in the title game of the Juneau Jive Tournament.

&#8220After losing to Juneau and then beating them later in the week, I knew something special was on tap for us,” she said.

Following the win over Juneau, the Knights remained unbeaten heading into the state tournament, a feat Carter attributes to the dedication and hard work of the girls on her team.

&#8220There was something about the group of girls on the team,” she said. &#8220They could have made excuses having a new coach, but that was not an option. I've been a part of the Colony program for several years (coaching the C and JV teams) and these girls are among the most committed to winning I've seen.”

But, according to senior captain Jordan Pokryfki, it was not all about winning for Carter.

&#8220She made it fun,” Pokryfki said. &#8220Even when we were working our tails off or running, she had a way to make it a positive experience for us.”

Pokryfki added that Carter's previous experience with the Knights smoothed the transition.

&#8220Everyone knew her, so we weren't really dealing with a new coach,” Pokryfki said. &#8220We all really liked her and were in favor of her selection as new coach when she was appointed. I think that really helped.”

Having success in her first season places added pressure on Carter to continue the tradition established during Scott's tenure.

&#8220I'm off to a good start,” Carter said about leading her team to third in her first season. &#8220But now I have to repeat what was accomplished by this team next year and in years to come.”

The thought of the high expectations placed on her to maintain the proud tradition of Colony volleyball has Carter feeling some familiar emotions.

&#8220Looking ahead, I'm a little excited and a little nervous.” Carter said.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2278 or at darrell.breese@

frontiersman.com.