Southwestern Central School graduate and former Jayhawk Sally Rudny was named the next head coach of the Jamestown Community College women’s volleyball team Thursday. Photo courtesy of Jamestown CC Athletics

JAMESTOWN — Looking to move quickly to fill the vacancy of the women’s volleyball head coach position at Jamestown Community College, George Sisson, director of athletics made the announcement Thursday that Sally Rudny will take over the program.

“I can’t say how happy I am that Sally was interested in the position,” Sisson said. “She has been a part of the Jayhawk family as a player and coach, and for her to continue here, it’s amazing. Everyone talks about coaching trees and where they come from, well, Sally comes from a pretty darn good one.”

Sisson is referring to Ashley Lund, the school’s assistant director of athletics, and former volleyball head coach, who officially retired from her coaching duties earlier this week.

“I’m excited for her,” Lund said. “Having her as a player, she knew exactly how to embrace the Jayhawk life and I have no doubt that she is going to embrace that as a coach and really bleed that into her players. She was a standout as a player in every sense of it and she knew and respected me as a coach. She could have gone anywhere after high school, but she trusted me to continue to help her grow as a player and as a person.”

Rudny, a Southwestern Central School graduate, had a historic career, donning the green and gold from 2016-17. Since the 2012 season, Rudny holds records in career kills (1,013) and kills in a season (583). Rudny also ranks in the top-10 in career digs (591), digs in a season (337), career aces (146), aces in a season (84) and matches played in a career (69).

Rudny’s play spoke for itself and everyone, whether it was in the conference, in the region or nationally, took notice. Rudny is a two-time First-Team All-American selection, two-time Region 3 Player of the Year and First-Team All-Region honoree, as well as being named the Player of the Year in the Western New York Athletic Conference twice. In 2017, Rudny also added the SUNY Chancellor’s Scholar Athlete Award to her long list of accomplishments.

When it comes to taking over a well-accomplished program, Rudny knows that she has her work cut out for her but is ready to take it head on.

“I feel really honored that Ashley came to me and asked if I would be interested in the position,” Rudny said. “I would also say that I am nervous, but thrilled, to take over such a successful program from such a successful coach. I’m confident that the years that I have spent with Ashley has prepared me for this moment.”

In terms of her philosophy, it should come to no surprise that “hard work” and “dedication” made their way into Rudny’s philosophy with the accolades she has collected as a player.

“Hard work pays off,” said Rudny. “You get what you put into the program. We will be there every day working and as long as you give 100%, the results will come.”

Rudny will retain current assistant coach and former teammate, Madison Alexander, for the same position which was a key part throughout the hiring process.

“Maddie is great. She is equally excited that we get to take over the program,” said Rudny. “We balance each other out when one has intensity, the other helps rein that in sometimes. We both have different skill sets but I believe that’s what will make us work well together.”

“It’s great to see these coaches stay local,” Sisson added. “There are tremendous volleyball players in Chautauqua County and to have someone who has been in their shoes before, it’s great.”