Alpena, MI – Alpena High School is pleased to announce the hiring of Kolby Andrews as its new Varsity Volleyball Coach. Andrews will take over for Melissa Doubek, who retired from coaching at Alpena Public Schools this past fall. “Thank you to Melissa for her dedication and professionalism leading our volleyball program. We wish her the best in the future,” Athletic Director, Jon Studley said.

Kolby has worked the past year as the freshman volleyball coach at Alpena High School. Previous to that Kolby spent time as the varsity volleyball coach and junior high  track coach in Alpena. Andrews is also a high school science teacher for Alpena Public Schools.  In Texas, Andrews spent six years as the head softball coach and head JV volleyball coach. While at Chapel Hill ISD, he served as their conditioning coach. Andrews was also “Teacher of the Year” at Arp ISD in Texas during the 2013 school year.

"We are thrilled to have Coach Kolby Andrews back leading our program," said Jon Studley, Athletic Director of Alpena High School. “Kolby brings a ton of coaching experience and truly understands the amount of dedication it will take to build a program. His knowledge and his can do attitude will shape our volleyball program into a very competitive program.” 

Andrews said, “I am very thankful to be chosen to once again lead the Alpena Wildcats on the volleyball court. After stepping away from the position to focus on my young children the last couple of years, I am grateful and humbled to get the opportunity to continue the mission I started in 2018.  My goal was then, and is now, to develop a competitive volleyball program that can battle the powerhouse schools that we will encounter playing in the Big North Conference. Last year I transitioned back into the gym and got the opportunity to coach under Melissa Doubek and see her years of experience in action.  It made me all the more excited to lead the program into the future again when the position came open.”

Andrews graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor of science in Health Fitness and Prevention. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Texas, Arlington, in Education. Andrews is a 2000 graduate of Petoskey High School. 

For more information please contact AHS Athletics Director, Jon Studley studleyj@alpenaschools.com

TRAVERSE CITY, MI - The Alpena Volleyball team could not overcome countless service errors in their Big North Conference match-up with Traverse City Central on Wednesday night.  The Trojans swept the Wildcats 25-22, 25-15, and 25-20.  Allie DeRocher hit 9 kills and 6 digs, jade gray had 5 kills and 3 aces, Kami Schultz had 4 kills and 7 kills.

Alpena (10-11) wrap up the regular season on Thursday night when they host Petoskey.

ALPENA, MI - The Alpena Volleyball team played close to the #5 Cadillac Vikings before falling in three sets on Wednesday night at the Gillespie Gymnasium.  After dropping a 25-21 first set, the Wildcats threatened to even the game when they held a 17-10 lead in the second set.  The Vikings responded to take a seemingly commanding 24-22 lead before the Wildcats rallied to tie the score at 24-24.  Cadillac then used its length at the net to pull out a 26-24 victory in the second set.  Cadillac would dominate the final set to complete the 3-0 sweep.

Allie DeRocher finished with 10 digs and seven kills, while Allie Urlaub chipped in defensively with 19 digs, Kate Skiba finished with a stat sheet filling 13 digs, seven kills, and five aces. 

Alpena (10-9, 2-5 BNC) are at Traverse City West next Wednesday night.

SAULT STE MARIE, MI - The Alpena Volleyball team swept the Sault Area Blue Devils (25-12,25-23,25-22) on Monday night.  Alpena was outstanding on offensive attacks with Allie DeRocher leading the charge with 9 kills.  Three more wildcats, Kate Skiba, Tiffany Tessmer, and Allie Urlaub each contributed 6 kills. Alpena was also strong on defense 7 times, with 5 of those blocks coming from Allie DeRocher.  Allie DeRocher also had 12 defensive digs.  Kami Schultz and Allie Urlaub had 11 digs each. Kate Skiba and Jade Gray each added 3 aces.

Alpena is 10-8 overall and 2-4 in the Big North Conference.  The Wildcats host #5 Cadillac on Wednesday night at the Gillespie Gymnasium.