When Gatewood School needed someone to take over its volleyball program, Hannah Getty didn’t hesitate to step up.
A Gatewood alumna and teacher, Getty accepted the head coaching position after the school was unable to find a replacement for former coach Kristy Hicks, ensuring the Gators would have a season this fall. With her daughter, Bela, set to return as a junior, Getty said she couldn’t stand the thought of the program disappearing.
“They couldn’t find anyone. They looked for a while and interviewed some people, but it just didn’t work out,” Getty said. “I told them if nobody does it, don’t cancel the season. I’ll head it up and see what I can do.”
Getty, who graduated from Gatewood in 2002, said her connection to the school made the decision an easy one.
“Gatewood has a huge piece of my heart,” she said. “Whatever I can do to help, especially girls’ sports, I’m excited to do.”
Although new to coaching volleyball, Getty spent the summer learning alongside her players. The Gators hosted a two-day camp led by a collegiate coach and family friend, who helped Getty learn the game while giving the team valuable instruction.
“She came down and did a camp with us for two days and made me a cheat book – my volleyball cheat book,” Getty said with a laugh.
Since then, the Gators have focused on practices and building chemistry as they prepare for the season.
Gatewood returns a veteran group that Getty believes can help the team take another step forward. Lauren Paxson and Bela Smith are expected to lead the offense, while Harper Cline is slated to move into the libero role after playing the position in club volleyball.
At the net, Getty is counting on Willow Davis, Samantha Bedmon, Kessler Atkinson, and Braylee Atkinson to use their size and become more aggressive.
“They’re all super tall girls,” she said. “We’re trying to get them to be more aggressive. I want them to be strong at the net and be powerful.”
The Gators also return Addison Harris, Bowie King, Emma Price, Lily Menke, and Saylor Parrish, giving Getty a roster with experience throughout the lineup.
As she begins her first season as head coach, Getty said her biggest goals extend beyond the win-loss column. She wants the team to learn how to communicate, play together, and commit fully every time they step on the court.
“If I’m going to come out there and put my effort into it, I need them to give 100 percent,” Getty said. “I hope they enjoy their senior year. I hope when they come out of it everybody is positive about the year and happy with the outcome.”
Still, Getty isn’t shy about setting lofty expectations.
“I have big hopes,” she said. “I hope we go all the way. That’s just how I am.”
More than anything, Getty wants to make sure Gatewood’s volleyball program continues to grow.
“I wanted to keep it going for future girls because we’ve got a big group of middle school girls coming up that’s excited about it,” Getty said. “The last thing I wanted to see was for volleyball not to happen this year, especially for the seniors.”
Whether the Gators make a deep postseason run or simply continue building toward the future, Getty believes the foundation is there.
“We’re excited,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a good year.”