Chinook Observer

MONMOUTH, Ore. — “This will be a great experience for me because I will still be involved with volleyball,” Naselle and Western Oregon University’s (WOU) Sylvia Herrold said after she was named as an assistant coach for the 2011 season in July.

Herrold is entering her senior year at WOU after starring for the Wolves for three seasons, but damage to her knee forced her to make a difficult decision to stop playing. “It was a tragic circumstance that Sylvia is unable to play volleyball anymore, but she is such a positive and powerful leader that I think she has great value to this team even though she isn’t playing,” explained Coach Brad Saindon.

“For me it was a no brainer that I hire Sylvia as our assistant coach. The other players like her and respect her and I like her and respect her a great deal. The big thing is she knows our system so I don’t have to train a new assistant. Sylvia is a perfect fit at a perfect time, and I am excited to work with her.”

Herrold, who was a perennial Pacific League all-star and MVP volleyball player for Naselle, averaged 1.94 kills per set in college, with a career-high 2.12 during her sophomore season for WOU. She also led the Wolves with 97 service aces last season. Herrold also starred in basketball and track for the Comets.

“This is a great opportunity and I am excited to still be part of the team, and hey, I get paid,” Herrold said with a smile. She is majoring in biology and wants to teach it and chemistry at the high school level. “I want to coach, make coaching part of my career and this is a great start. I will get the chance to coach with Brad (Saindon) and I am really looking forward to that opportunity. My duties will include reviewing game films with the team, helping with the rotations, scheduling travel for the team, and teaching the system to our younger players.”

This summer she is working with Alan Trimble as part of an internship program by studying Willapa Bay, a place where she grew up while developing into an elite athlete.