Does Kerry Miller have any idea what she’s getting herself into? Can her situation be described as anything but lose-lose?

Does she realize that the Cyclone volleyball team she inherited from Coach Jackie Nunez was only 10-and-23 last year? Did they tell her we only managed one conference victory and reeled off losing streaks as long as 24 games and 17 matches?

Did anyone bother to mention that we lost our top three scorers to other programs? Did they leave out the fact that only two of our top seven offensive threats are back in place?

Coach Miller assures me, she knew all of this coming in.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with this team. I really believe that if we can improve on many of our game philosophies, we can overcome many of these problems and improve on last year,” Miller said.

Miller is no stranger to building a volleyball program. Before coming to ISU this fall, she coached for three seasons at Duquesne University. Before 1995, Duquesne’s volleyball program was strictly part-time and featured very limited scholarships. After a 14-17 season, the program was elevated to full-time status.

Miller improved upon this in 1996, leading the Lady Dukes to an 18-13 record (second best in school history). The following season, Duquesne won 10 Atlantic 10 Conference games for the first time ever.

Prior to coaching the Lady Dukes, Miller coached in the high school ranks, served as an assistant at Syracuse and held head coaching positions at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and for the Tramelan Switzerland Professional Volleyball team.

In addition to ample coaching experience, Miller has been very successful as a player.

She began her volleyball career at the University of Houston in 1983, where she was honored as the Southwest Conference Rookie of the Year. Miller transferred to Arizona in 1985, where she continued to impress. She graduated in 1987, having earned All-Pac 10 and All-American honors as a Wildcat.

After college, Miller went on to a successful career on the pro beach volleyball circuits of both the United States and Europe.

ISU Athletic Director Gene Smith recognized Miller as a tireless recruiter, motivator and leader and hoped her success as both a player and coach might carry over at ISU.

“Kerry is experienced as an athlete and as a coach, where she has proven to be an outstanding leader. She has demonstrated an ability and vision for building a team concept and proven to be a technician of the game. But most importantly, Kerry’s personality fits the Iowa State family.”

Miller seemed nearly as impressed with ISU and Gene Smith as they were with her.

“I am thrilled to come to Iowa State to work for an athletic director who is a great leader, who believes in its programs and who stresses a family atmosphere. I truly believe ISU volleyball has all the tools in place to be a top-notch program.”

Miller is optimistic about the 1998 season and the future of Cyclone volleyball. She feels that by changing the thinking of the team as well as the team’s concept of itself and its roles, she can build a winner.

“Our main goal is to change the mindset of the offensive, defensive and blocking philosophies of the team. With the different philosophies and a higher level of motivation, we should be much more competitive than the teams in the past.”

The Big 12 conference and the challenges it offers seem to only inspire Miller more.

“We are very excited about coming to Iowa State, and we understand the challenge of competing in the Big 12. We are looking to bring Iowa State back into the NCAA Tournament as well as a ritual above-.500 finisher in the league,” she said.

Miller realizes that all of her goals may not be accomplished in the first season. Considered a top recruiter, she is anticipating a long and fruitful tenure at Iowa State.

“We know that this season will be a building year, and we hope to improve all skill levels of the existing players that are here and work with them. Our staff will put a lot of effort on recruiting for the 1999 season and try to bring in players that will compliment the players we already have.

“I am very enthusiastic to go out and recruit athletes that play at this top level and bring them in and showcase Iowa State and what it has to offer. With hard work and recruiting, we certainly look forward to building a tradition here at Iowa State.”

Kerry and husband, Scott, an assistant this year with the Cyclones, have been very successful in their recruiting endeavors in the past, picking up athletes from Puerto Rico to Canada to the West Coast. The focal point, she maintains, will remain in the Midwest.

“There are so many great kids in this area. We’ll definitely recruit from Iowa and the Midwest. At the same time, though, we don’t want to close our eyes to talent that isn’t in our backyard.”

Smith summed up, effectively, the sentiments of the Athletic Department as well as the Iowa State community as it concerns their new head volleyball coach.

“We are excited that Kerry and her husband, Scott, have brought their family to join us in Ames,” Smith said.