A new coach strolls into the gym after school and is ready for practice.
With 39 years of experience coaching volleyball, this year Joe Maloney began his Sion coaching career. Maloney retired from the Raytown School District in May 2012.
Maloney was no stranger to Sion volleyball. His niece is 2011 graduate Marikate Sears who played volleyball at Sion.
When Maloney heard a coaching job opened up at Sion, he sent in his resume and was hired for the 2012 volleyball season. Maloney said he coaches volleyball because of his love for the sport.
“Coach Maloney has brought so much to the team this year,” junior Jenna Dickey said. “Maloney brought experience, knowledge and every other little thing that has to do with volleyball.”
Maloney has coached volleyball at Rockhurst College, Penn Valley Community College, Raytown High School, Raytown South High School, Kansas City Juniors Volleyball Club and Team KC Volleyball.
“Coach Maloney brought the team a lot of previous experience from his coaching around the Kansas City area,” junior Brelahn Wyatt said.
Maloney said he believes it takes an athlete with intelligence to play volleyball at a high level. He said that Sion students fit his ideals perfectly because they are intelligent and athletic young women.
Co-head Coach Bob Lampen said Maloney is one of the most passionate and dedicated coaches he has ever been around. Even in practice, Maloney attempts to make drills game-like so the athletes can take what they practiced to the court.
“Coach Maloney is very tactical in his approach on coaching so everything is systematic,” Wyatt said.
The volleyball team’s current record is 4-7. Maloney’s goal for the volleyball team is for the players to learn from their mistakes on the court. Maloney said the game is equal to a test in your classes. If you know you are having a test in a couple of days, it is important to correct your mistakes to improve your performance. If you and your teammates work hard to make corrections and eliminate unforced errors, the team has the opportunity to attain a positive result, Maloney said.
“Coach Maloney pushes us to our greatest potential and has been a very positive influence for the team this season,” senior Megan Bohannon said.
Dickey said the new energy and talent brought from Maloney boosted the level of excitement for the volleyball team this year.
“Coach Maloney is a passionate volleyball coach and knows more about the game than anyone I have met,” Bohannon said.