Tara Hittle is the new volleyball coach at Valor Christian. (Brian Bonn/Valor Christian)
It wasn’t an easy change, but it was time.
Tara Hittle, who led Doherty to a state championship two seasons ago, is the new volleyball coach at Valor Christian.
“I’m really excited to be at Valor,” Hittle said Thursday. “And I loved Doherty. I loved everything about Doherty. It was just kind of time for me personally to make a change. I kind of wanted to get out of the Springs. I was pursuing other options, and it worked out with Valor and I was super excited to now have this opportunity.
“It’s always a challenge going into a new school. There’s always really high expectations.”
Hittle coached the Spartans for three seasons, where she had a mark of 67-15. It was a homecoming of sorts: Hittle herself was a standout at Doherty, and led the school to a championship in 2003.
She went on to play at the University of Hawaii, and later turned pro in Switzerland. In 2011, Hittle moved back to Colorado and got the Doherty job.
Hittle won a state championship at Doherty in 2012, and was also a standout player for the Spartans. (Brian Bonn/Valor Christian)
“I owe (Doherty athletic director) Chris Noll a huge thank you,” Hittle said. “I mean, he hired me just really on my playing experience and having really no coaching experience. He was an amazing boss, and I learned so much through the whole process of being at Doherty.
“I kept growing as a coach every year. That experience and learning, it’s something that can take you a lot further than you ever thought.”
Doherty went undefeated (29-0) in 2012 and captured the Class 5A crown. Last season, Hittle led the Spartans to a 21-6 record. They again reached the state tournament, but fell to eventual runner-up Arapahoe in pool play.
She resigned in January, and was hired by Valor Christian this summer.
“Going into this new program,” Hittle said, “I have so much more of a base of knowing who I am as a coach, knowing what kids needs are at the high school age, and knowing all the things that play into running a volleyball program.”
At Valor, Hittle takes over for Lars Nielsen, the only coach in the school’s history who was 87-52 in six seasons. Valor Christian made the 4A tournament each of the last three years, when the team went 57-24.
The Eagles lose 6-foot outside hitter Kate Gibson, who graduated and is now playing at Memphis. But back is 6-foot-2 Cassidy Wurth — who averaged 2.4 kills and 1.2 blocks per set last season — as well as Kyleigh McDaniel (2.3 kills and 2.4 digs per set) and Megan Moritz (1.0 kills per set). Libero Savannah Cressman (4.5 digs per set) also returns.
“Yeah, we’re not too shabby,” Hittle said. “We have some talent. We’ve also got a couple of kids that may have been on JV last year, and they’ve really developed.”
Valor Christian is ranked No. 9 in the preseason poll. For now, Hittle is focused on growth.
“I felt this way at Doherty, too: Anything I do, I want to do my very best,” Hittle said. “I want us to represent the school and represent the program in a really positive way.
“I can guarantee you I’ll be learning every step of the way, and I’ll still be growing, and my staff will be growing and we’ll be working things out on a daily basis.”
(Brian Bonn/Valor Christian)