The search for a volleyball coach didn’t take long. 

Erin Blalock was named the new leader of the Lady Pioneers Thursday, just a few weeks after Kelly Clayborne’s resignation of the same post at Warren County High School.

“The Warren County athletic department would like to welcome the newest member to our head coaching family, Erin Blalock,” WCHS athletic director Todd Willmore wrote in a statement. “Erin is an exceptional role model for our young people and an excellent educator. Erin has served as an assistant coach for our volleyball program for four seasons.”

Blalock was with the team from 2015-18, her time overlapping with the tenure of Katie Rogers. She was away from the program this last season, instead serving as the head coach of the Boyd Lady Bronco basketball team.

She’s ecstatic about returning back to her alma mater.

“I’m super excited. It means so much to be a part of this program, because it meant so much to me when I played,” said Blalock, who graduated in 2000 before earning degrees at Austin Peay and Tennessee State University. “It’s hard to believe it has been 20 years since I played my last high school game, but I am thrilled and grateful to have been given this new opportunity.”

Blalock will be the fourth coach of the Lady Pioneers since Franklin Fisher ended his 18-year tenure with the team in 2013. Blalock fondly recalls the man who shaped the program for nearly two decades and hopes to pass down the lessons he taught her when she was a player.

“It is so encouraging to see how the program has grown since I played for coach Fisher and I’m excited to continue that growth. I know there is so much talent and potential in the program already (from) being around the high school and middle school programs the last few years,” said Blalock.

Blalock inherits a squad which went 15-17 last year and graduated all-district performer Beth Vaughn, along with Taylor Pegg and Hannah Lee. Traditionally, tryouts are held in May, so Blalock has a few months before she sets her first roster.

She already knows what she’s looking for in her squad though.

“I look forward to building a strong sense of teamwork and sportsmanship, while pushing the girls to be committed and competitive,” said Blalock. “I had some the best times in high school with our volleyball team. I look forward to helping these girls create some lasting memories of their own.”