BUCYRUS — Amber Christy’s name is a familiar one in Crawford County volleyball circles.

Christy, who coached nine seasons for Colonel Crawford, was hired May 27 as the new head coach for Bucyrus High School.

“I have coached for over 20 years and have a small volleyball club. When I resigned from Crawford, I was finished coaching school ball. At least I thought I was,” she said.

She missed COVID and all that was associated with the pandemic from a coach’s perspective.

“It was right before COVID so if I was going to be out of it, that was a good two years to be out of it and give me that break,” she said. “I missed a lot of headaches.”

In both 2016 and 2018 her Lady Eagles teams went 14-9 overall.

Christy is anxious to get going with the Lady Redmen. The team returns intact from last season when it posted a 1-18 overall record and went 0-14 in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference.

“I’ve coached several of these Bucyrus girls through our club,” she said.

“Two years ago, they didn’t win a game, last year they won one game, so it’s definitely going to be a building process. And trying to get the kids all on board and understanding that it’s a program now.”

Christy believes that unity is a key component in the building process.

“We had girls in track and softball that I haven’t been able to see yet. Most of those girls I’ve also coached in club. It’s just a matter of getting them together in a Bucyrus High School volleyball program setting.

“Unity has got to be top priority and they all have to believe in the same thing. They have to believe in the goals we set as a team and they have to commit to the program,” Christy said.

Time in the gym and in the weight room are part of that commitment.

“We have to have everybody on board for our program to start an uphill transition.”

Christy also was an assistant coach at Buckeye Central for several years. In 1996 the Buckettes won the Division IV state championship, downing St. Henry. The team finished the season with a 28-1 record, the lone loss coming against Mansfield Madison.

“They have to love the game. Athletic kids and kids that just want to play. Those kids at Crawford just wanted to win. They expect to win. These kids have to expect that wins are going to come,” she said.

“They have to be in the gym and working hard on their skills. They can’t come into a gym for two hours and expect, ‘Hey, everything’s going to be good. I did my practice. That’s all I need.'”

Some of the Bucyrus players have competed in club volleyball from January through May.

“Those kids practice, have tournaments on the weekends. The more hands-on you can get, it will make you a better volleyball player,” Christy said.

Good coaching also is imperative.

“You have to teach them the basic fundamentals and just work on those every single day in practice.”

Changing the culture also will be a factor in improving the team’s record.

“Last year they were in many games. They played with the team and just couldn’t finish. That comes along with the belief that they can and just one more push forward.”

She said the administration has been supportive.

“The AD, Mr. (Matt) Makeever, up to the superintendent. They just let me know they support us and believe in us. Other coaches have also told me that.

“It’s time to fill the ship with good pieces. We want people in our program that want to get better. If they commit to the program, everything’s going to fall into place.”

Working in the same school system where she will be coaching is something Christy is looking forward to.

“Having practices at 3 o’clock and maybe being able to have dinner with my family once or twice a week during the season will be nice. Also, just seeing my players during the day is going to be huge for all of us as we get to know each other.”

Building is going to be a process, she said.

“We aren’t going to walk in and win every game. But I do expect to have wins. I’m a very competitive person and I as a coach, with the patience, and just being sure all the pieces were in place beginning with me.

“I needed to commit 100 percent; not 98 percent. I needed to commit 100 percent to coaching at Bucyrus. I’m all in.”