For George Hoyle, Sr., the head volleyball coach at Kerr-Vance Academy for the last four years, his love of volleyball started with his daughter and club volleyball teams and came full circle with his son, KVA Athletic Director George Hoyle, Jr., as the varsity volleyball program earned back-to-back NCISAA state championships over the last two seasons.

With only seven losses in four years, a 106-7 record, Hoyle said, “It absolutely started with the players and the devotion they put in.  Great players make a great coach.  We were in the gym three days a week working, but it’s got to be fun.  It has to be fun or you’re not going to win.  And we made it fun.”

Hoyle said, “It’s been a wonderful six years I’ve been there (as assistant and head coach).  I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Check out the audio of our full interview here.

And now new coaches have been named, according the the Kerr-Vance Facebook page.  The social media account for The Spartans says, “We are thrilled to announce the hiring of our new Varsity and JV Women’s Volleyball Coaches – Casey Ellington and Debra Medlin.

“Head Coach – Casey Ellington a native of Granville County played volleyball at William Peace University and has recently coached at the club level locally.

“Assistant Coach – Debra Medlin previously served as the Head Coach at C.E. Jordan High School from 1989 through 2000. She also recently served as a coach at Person County High School and Middle School.”

Hoyle felt like it was the right time to retire.  He said, “We have a lot of the pieces to the puzzle for a new coach to come in…and they’re not going to skip a beat.  They are going to have a good team.”

As to working alongside his son, George Hoyle, Sr. said, “It’s a lot of fun working with him.  Made a lot of memories there.  That just doesn’t happen to a lot of people.  All those were great.  It was a lot of fun working with him.  It was really special.”

In continuing to speak of George Hoyle, Jr., the elder Hoyle said, “He does a great job, and I’m very proud of everything he’s accomplished.  Going to miss that part of sure.”

Hoyle said success starts in the off season.  “It starts in the off season.  Everything starts in the off season.  You’ve got to put in the preparation in the summer and winter months to be successful when the season comes around, and that’s what the girls have done at Kerr-Vance.”

For sure, love comes into it as well.   “I love coaching and love youth sports more than anything.  I absolutely love high school and college.  I love to watch and be around it.  I have been coaching youth sports since 2003.  That’s a long time,” Hoyle said.

In one sport or another, Hoyle has been a coach, mentor and grounds keeper year round for decades.

Hoyle started to coach as an assistant under William Hoyle, who is distant kin, and George said, “William was great.  I love him to death, and of those championships, it all started with him being there.  And I appreciate everything he taught me about the game, and I started to love it at that point.”

For Hoyle and his family, they achieve by the most honest means.  Hard work, dedication, gentleness, grace, intelligence.  Congratulations to Kerr-Vance Volleyball and retired head coach George Hoyle, Sr.