LAURINBURG — Mallory (Woolridge) Wheeler was a force to be reckoned with on the volleyball court during her time at the University of Virginia.
She plans to be just as dominating from the sidelines when she returns to the court in the fall as the new head coach for the Lady Scots.
The former Division I athlete was selected as the new head coach for the Lady Scots volleyball team after interim head coach Adam Romaine decided to step down to assume more responsibilities as Scotland’s assistant athletic director.
Wheeler served as the team’s assistant coach last season after moving to Halmet with her husband Robby. After working in management for the railroad, Wheeler switched gears and is using her degree in Psychology to become an ECT teacher at Scotland.
“I got the assistant job then got a job teaching. It all happened fast and I’m working on my certification,” she said. “I’m excited to lead the team in my direction. I’m all about wanting to win, I’m really competitive and there are some things I’m going to do differently but I’m excited to start my own culture.”
The 25-year-old admitted last year was a roller coaster season for the team as the Lady Scots finished 12-10 overall and 6-4 in conference play, tying with Pinecrest for second place. The Lady Scots were eliminated in the first round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4A playoffs against Mallard Creek.
For the 2017 season Wheeler plans to set the bar high, but knows her team will be young and face some growing pains.
“The biggest thing is I want them to work hard and give it their absolute all,” she said. “I don’t want them to be okay with losing. I want that competitiveness and that heart that I’ve seen in a couple of the players. I want that to be a team mentality that we’re going to give it our all.”
Keeping a team mentality is something Wheeler plans to continue after seeing it work well for Romaine during last season. A good team mentality will serve her well as the Lady Scots get ready for their first season in the Sandhills Athletic Conference. Wheeler doesn’t plan to back down from competition and wants to make sure the team is playing high-level opponent in order to eventually take the program to the next level.
“I want to win it all — the ultimate goal for this program is to win a state championship,” she said. “That’s what we’re going to work towards every day. Every conference, title and game that we can win that’s what we’re going to work towards.”
The Lady Scots volleyball team will begin summer workouts on June 26. Workouts will be Monday through Thursday from 8 to 10 a.m. Tryouts will be Aug. 1, 2 and 3 and are open to anyone interested in the sport.
Wheeler hopes to have 30 players to fill the JV and varsity rosters.
“I want 15 players on varsity and the same with JV,” she said. “I want a big turnout, I want options and to see what people can do.”
Wheeler emphasized that girls don’t have to have any volleyball experience to try out or come to workouts, they just need to have a willingness to learn and a good attitude.
“One of my biggest things, even if you are the worst player if you work hard and you have a good attitude I would take that over the best players in the country,” she said. “If you don’t have a good attitude, you’re not on my team. People that work hard and give it their all, that’s people who will get into games.”
Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.
