Edina Girls Volleyball Finishes Season Without Longtime Coach

The Edina girls volleyball team recently wrapped their 2010 season, finishing with a record just under .500. Perhaps even more impressive than the record is the fact they managed to do it without longtime coach Annie Adamczak-Glavan, who left the team right before sectionals.

Adamczak-Glavan was reportedly let go from her position as Edina High School's girls volleyball head coach for unknown reasons prior to the end of the season, just as the Hornets were poised to enter post-season tournament play.

Neither Adamczak-Glavan nor the Edina school district gave a reason as to why Adamczak-Glavan was released from her coaching contract. There is some speculation that questionable language and one emotional outburst on the sidelines could be behind Adamszak-Glavan's departure, but no one is commenting on the specific reason for the split.

The Edina school district issued a statement on the issue, saying, "(Adamczak-Glavan) fulfilled her obligation and contract as the head volleyball coach at Edina High School."

Derek Carter, team photographer and father of senior Jade Carter, said everyone was blindsided by Adamczak-Glavan's departure.

"The impact on the team was profound," Carter said. "There was an entire mix of emotions."

Despite all the speculation and the rumors swirling around Adamszak-Glavan's departure, there is still a strong respect for her leadership and head coaching skills. Carter said the girls truly adopted her belief in "leaving it all on the court."

"(When we played) one of the top teams ... and finally won the hard-fought battle, it was a great example of the mindset that Annie was trying to pass down," he said.

The Hornets started the season strong, winning three of their first four matches. The .407 finish was a result of a six-game losing streak in the second half of September, including opponents such as Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Hopkins and Wayzata.

The Hornets were able to make up some of that deficit in later games, but it wasn't quite enough to break the .500 mark. The impending departure of Adamszak-Glavan undoubtedly impacted the team's confidence, but the Hornets managed to rally in the face of that blow during sectionals.

"With sectionals (in front of them), the team ... focused on volleyball and unity," Carter said. "However unlikely, they won their match and advanced to the next round."

Though they didn't progress past the second round of sectionals, the Edina Hornets remained a solid volleyball squad, going 11-16-0 overall. They finished the season ranked 110th in the state of Minnesota.

Most importantly of all, the challenges they overcame and the lessons they learned will live on in the next few seasons. With only four seniors on the team and more than half of the team made up of 10th graders and younger, the players who bonded during the experience will be around for several more years.

Carter, who has watched his daughter play Edina volleyball for the past few years, said everyone is immensely proud of the team.

"The biggest change I noticed was their desire to play at their highest potential—a never-give-up attitude," he said. "I think that's a direct reflection of Coach Adamczak-Glavan."