Matt Reynoso has been named the interim St. Edmond volleyball coach for this upcoming season.

Reynoso steps in for Josephine Alstott after serving as an assistant last fall.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to taking on this challenge,” Reynoso said. “I get the opportunity to coach and be with my daughter (Maddie), while also dropping little snippets of faith-related items (vis a vis) sports.

“I graduated from a very solid catholic high school and some of the lessons I learned are still with me to this day, so if I can do the same, that is a win-win.”

With a background in beach volleyball, Reynoso will try to help teach that style of play to the regular six-on-six. He has held a grass volleyball tournament at his home for the past four years now, using that to help provide for youth in the area.

“From my perspective, I get to put my money where my mouth is,” Reynoso said. “I talk about the importance of having a beach-style league and skills, so now I get to show that.”

St. Edmond went 9-22 last year, advancing to the Class 1A regional quarterfinals before falling to Newell-Fonda. Senior Maddie Reynoso along with sophomores Ansley Oswald, Hadley Oswald, Sasha Hess and Lauren Gibb are all expected to return after seeing the court a season ago.

Gibb had 50 kills, while Ansley Oswald recorded 12. Gibb also had 60 digs and 42 aces, Oswald 19 digs and Reynoso 12 digs.

“We have a lot of good athletes coming over from a very successful softball season,” Reynoso said. “I don’t want to burn them out. I want to make it fun.

“I’m still playing at my age because volleyball is a sport that you can continue to do and enjoy well after high school. We want to make it fun and enjoyable for the girls, but part of that is competing by playing hard and playing smart.”

Reynoso will be assisted by Donn Larson, who also serves as the SEHS boys track and field head coach.