New Georgia State Court Volleyball Head Coach Sally Polhamus sat down with The Signal to do a Q & A prior to her first public appearance as the new court volleyball coarch during halftime at the Georgia State/UALR women’s basketball game on Saturday.
The Signal: How does it feel being back in Atlanta after leaving Georgia Tech for Winthrop in 2006?
Polhamus: I loved the city of Atlanta, everything that it offers from the energy of the city, the culture, the entertainment, the people and the southern hospitality that Atlanta has.
TS: Why did you leave Georgia Tech?
P: It was to take a head coaching position. I left Georgia Tech for a head coaching position at Winthrop University.
TS: You left Winthrop to be an assistant coach at Florida and now you’re head coach at Georgia State. How has the adjustment being head coach again been?
P: It’s amazing, the pride I already have for Georgia State, the team, how hard they work, the academics, the school, the athletic department, the leadership from the president and the athletic director [Cheryl Levick] at Georgia State. In just like in a week, I could see the great leadership that is ahead.
TS: What did you learn from coaching under Mary Wise at Florida?
P: Learning how to compete every day, preparation for matches and being apart of a strong athletic department.
TS: Is there anything you’ll miss about Florida?
P: Right now, it’s the weather. Of course, every school that I’ve been at I’ve been very blessed and had great time, learning opportunities [and met] wonderful people. This is the start of another new adventure.
TS: Would you say there are any similarities between Georgia State and Florida?
P: I think they both provide an excellent academic environment…but as far as resources, they both provide excellent resources for high level academics.
TS: You are known as an offensive specialist. How do you plan to incorporate your philosophy?
P: Use the strengths of our teams and really build our philosophy around our players’ strengths, be creative and just play at a high level.
TS: What type of program are you looking to build at Georgia State?
P: It’s really building on the program that is already her – hard work, competitive environment, and pushing ourselves to the best of our abilities.
TS: Would you say there’s a difference in competing in the SEC and the Sun Belt Conference?
P: No, every conference has a variety of teams and support levels. I’ve had the luxury of competing in the Big 10, the SEC, the ACC, and the Big South so every conference have great strengths and it’s always protect your home court and any time you can steal a road win you do it…The Sun Belt is a strong conference and very competitive and I’m looking forward to going to all the schools.
TS: Since you’ve been in Atlanta, have you met with the players yet?
P: Yes, I have. We had our first two practices and they worked hard and that’s all I can ask for coming every day with a beginner’s mind, ready to learn and work hard.
TS: Going into next season, the team could have as many as eight upperclassmen, how does it feel going into this new situation with a veteran team?
P: Great. They have a good idea of where they’re at and where they want to go to as players and it’s my job to give them the resources and training to get there.
TS: Will you be collaborating with the sand volleyball program?
P: Oh definitely. We’ll definitely be supporting all the sports . It’s great to come to a program like Georgia State where they’re driven and a catalyst for the sand program and having both the court and sand program is great for the sport of volleyball.
TS: What’s your expectations for the team this offseason?
P: Just seeing where we are at – the strength of the players and starting to implement a system both defensively and offensively.
