ISU head volleyball coach Christy Johnson has begun her reign of the program with the addition of her first staff member and new assistant coach, Joe Lynch.

Lynch enters the program from Wauwatosa, Wis., after a high school and club career that led to two state crowns and eight conference titles, as well as a national championship for his club team.

“He has been coaching for quite a while with very high-level clubs. He’s a great coach with lots of connections and years of experience,” Johnson said.

Lynch has been knee-deep in volleyball for nearly 35 seasons, both as a player and a coach. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee after starting and serving as captain for the men’s volleyball team. He also took part in the U.S. Volleyball Association men’s team for eight years, garnering All-Rookie team and second-team All-American honors. Lynch also assisted at his alma mater during the 1996 season.

College coaching was something Lynch always considered, but a teaching position led him to high school volleyball.

“When this opportunity came around, I had a change of heart,” he said. “Christy will help me learn the college game, especially the differences in the intensity, training and recruiting aspects.”

Lynch said his years of head coaching will aid Johnson in her first season as head coach after her eight-year tenure as an assistant at Wisconsin.

He said they will combine their different styles of training and pick out what works best.

Lynch also hopes his love of the game will bring a spark to a team that finished its 2004 campaign 8-21 overall and 1-19 in Big 12 play.

“I hope I can bring my enjoyment of the game to the team and transfer it to the girls,” he said. “I want to help take them to a higher level in terms of intensity and attitude.”

Johnson said she and Lynch had talked for many hours about working together, and, finally, they agreed he’d be a great addition to the program.

“He’s a great trainer, and he is exceptional in the gym. He is great at training defense and ball handling,” Johnson said. “He knows the ropes as a head coach, and, as I am a beginning coach, that’ll really help me. He knows the hard work and sacrifices it takes.”